My eyes widened in disbelief as I processed Rick's words. 'Did Rick Hale, the same guy who had been acting cold and distant towards me, actually apologize?' The thought was almost unbelievable.

"You said what?" I asked

Of course I heard him the first time, I just wanted to hear it again.

"Please Do not make me repeat myself Kinsley." He glared into my eyes.

I gently removed Rick's hand from my arm, my gaze fixed on him as I asked, "But Do you mean it though?" The sincerity of his apology still hung in the air, and I needed reassurance that he was being genuine.

Rick's eyes darted around the room, searching for the right words to say. His expression was filled with uncertainty, a mixture of emotions playing across his face.

"I— don't

"Hm?"

"I— don't know." He let out

The uncertainty in his eyes had given way to a hint of resignation, like he was acknowledging his own flaws but unsure if he could change them.

"Rick."

I placed both palms on the sides of Rick's face, gently guiding his focus back to our conversation. I could sense his struggle to find the right words, and I hoped my touch would provide some comfort and clarity in the moment.

"Kinsley, I don't know if I can promise that I won't be disrespectful again to you.."

"Can you at least try?"

"For me Hale?"

Rick's eyes suddenly stopped darting around, and he looked directly into mine. The gentle contact of my hands on his face seemed to bring his focus back momentarily, and the mention of his last name seemed to have a profound effect on him.

"Why are you so nice to me?"

"Because I care about you, Rick."

"I care so much that it even hurts me sometimes,"

"I see the good within you." I placed the palm of my hand on his chest.

Rick and I maintained eye contact, and I sensed a shift in his gaze as he looked at me intently, his eyes lingering and darting to my lips. The intensity of our stare held a hint of unspoken emotions, creating a charged moment between us.

"Are y'all about to kiss?" Rina's voice suddenly interrupted, as she spoke from the top of the stairs.

Me and Rick both moved away from each other creating some distance.

"Fuck no." Rick said

Dang why does he have to be so biopolar.

"Uh—okay.. I was joking." Rina said coming down the stairs.

Rina walked past me and Rick, heading straight for the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water to quench her thirst. She then turned to Rick, asking the question, "Where's Mom?" Her tone was casual, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"She—

"She is at her interview, she will be home later tonight." Celine answered instead.

"Ohh,"

"So— are we going to watch a movie like a family or what?" Rina sighs plopping down on the couch.

"That sounds nice, doesn't it Rick?"

"I'll pass." He said

I squinted my eye, "Pass?— what is more important than quality time with your sister?"

"I'm going over chase's house." He sighed.

"Nuh uh," Rina began, shaking her head in reply to Rick's question. "Mom said I can't leave, so why should it be any different for you?"

Rick huffed in annoyance at Rina's answer, a frown appearing on his face.

"She's not here, so therefore you can't leave." Rina retorted, her voice tinged with irritation.

"Fuck Rina! Why do you have to be a brat all the time?" His jaw clenched.

Celine stepped in to diffuse the growing tension, urging both Rick and Rina to calm down. "Guys, let's settle down," she said with a gentle firmness. "What are you going over to chase house for?" She directed the question towards Rick.

"Mind your business Kinsley." He glared.

Celine fixed her gaze on Rick, silently reminding him of their previous conversation about his rudeness. Rick took a deep breath, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he sighed. "Just to smoke and chill," he replied, his voice much calmer now.

Rina scoffed, "Boys."

Celine posed a gentle question to Rick, "Do you think you can smoke and chill when your mother comes back?"
Rick's response was quick and determined. "No," he replied firmly. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone as he continued. "I'm not waiting."

"You're a fein!"

"Shut up."

Rina interjected, addressing her brother in a tone full of curiosity and insistence, "Tell Celine the real reason on why you want to go over so bad. You know you can smoke any other time; it's something else." She prodded him, her words hinting at an underlying reason behind his persistent desire to leave.

Rick looked up from his phone, making eye contact with Celine. Her face was etched with confusion, as she queried, "What is the reason?"

"He does it every year, come on Rick tell her or I will,"

"You know mom won't be happy about it but you don't care about her feelings don't you?"

"I fucking hate you."

"I love you too." She replied

Rick finally revealed the reason for wanting to go over to chase house: a party. "I'm going over chase house for a party," he admitted.
Celine responded with a raised eyebrow, "Party?"
Rick elaborated further, "Teenage party, alcohol, music, girls, that typical stuff." His tone was casual, as if it was a completely normal occurrence.

"You're not even old enough to drink." Rina blabbered on.

Celine spoke firmly, expressing her belief that they should respect Rick's mother's rules. Rick let out a scoff before replying, "Okay, fine."
There was a hint of reluctance in his tone as he acquiesced. Celine's surprise was evident in her voice as she asked, "Okay? You agreed?"
However, Rick's response took her by surprise. "Sure," he said casually. "I'm just going to text Chase and bring the party here instead."

Rina rolled her eyes in response, her frustration apparent as she slumped down onto the couch. She then turned on the TV, choosing to drown out the conversation by engrossing herself in whatever show was on.

"Absolutely not Rick."

"Celine, I can't leave, so I'll just bring it here— it's fine."

"It's not fine." She retorted

Rick was still occupied with his phone, his thumbs moving swiftly across the screen as he continued texting. Celine moved closer to him, her voice filled with concern. "Rick," she began, "you're choosing wrong. This is not cool."

"And.. done." He said putting his phone back inside his pocket.

Rina couldn't hide her annoyance as she walked past us. "I'll be in my room," she announced. "I'm not involved! Tell me when it's over!" She said, her voice tinged with irritation, before disappearing into her bedroom and shutting the door behind her.

Celine shook her head in disbelief, her gaze shifting to Rick. "Dick," she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with a hint of judgment.