Standing in front of the Myer’s house again didn’t seem as bad as it did the first time. I mean we could have walked to it we lived so close, but their house seemed so much more inviting than ours. I guess it was the smell of the food cooking inside.

“Ring the doorbell Casey.” Mom ordered even if she was close enough to do it herself. When I was reaching out to ring it the door opened and Colin was holding a bag of trash preparing to take it out.

“Oh hey, coming for dinner?” Colin asked greeting us warmer than what he did last time.

“Yeah.” I answered and I stepped aside so that he could walk down to the trash can out by the end of his short driveway. I turned and followed him, not wanting to be left in a room full of adults.

“So, do your parents know that you got into trouble today?” Colin asked looking over his shoulder to find me standing behind him. He at first looked surprised to see me, but he got over it. After he was done putting the trash into the can he turned to look at me. I didn’t like talking to people unless they were looking at me so I waited.

“No they don’t.” I responded smiling, “And they don’t need to know ok?”

“Alright.” He said shrugging easily. “I thought you were bringing Heather along.”

“I was ambushed by mom in the parking lot.” I stated frowning because I knew that I was in terrible trouble after blowing her off two days in a row. Especially to hang out with Colin Myers even if it was what my mom wanted and I had to go along with it or lose something else I liked.

“Are you two gonna stand outside all dinner?” Cassidy asked looking outside at us.

“No, we’ll be in.” Colin yelled back at her and that satisfied her enough to close the door.

“When does swimming start?” I asked curiously as we walked towards his house again.

“I don’t really know.” Colin shrugged glancing at me. “I’m not going out for swimming.”

“Why not?” I asked curiously and we stopped walking again.

“Because it wouldn’t be the same as it was before.” Colin answered easily, he wasn’t troubled at all by it.

“How could you give up something you liked to do?” I asked crossing my arms and studying him.

“Because it was nothing that big for me to do.” Colin replied looking me over before he turned and opened the front door and held it open for me to step into the house. I could tell that there was something else that he was thinking about. He almost told me, but he didn’t and I wanted to know. I liked knowing things that people almost slip.

“Nice to see you again.” Susan greeted as we entered the kitchen. Their father wasn’t home again, but she didn’t seem upset by it. He must not be home for dinner at all. Dad being here for dinner was a first for a long time as well.

“You’re such a good cook Susan.” Mom gushed taking a bite of her food. The food did look nice and there was a lot.

“You’re going to have to invite them to dinner soon Kathy instead of freeloading off of Susan.” Dad stated also gushing over Susan’s cooking.

“Oh, no.” Susan countered politely. “I used to be a full-time chef before Cass and Colin came along so cooking large meals like this is great.”

“Oh but by all means come to dinner tomorrow.” Mom invited smiling and then Susan agreed while Cassidy, Colin, and I stated in disbelief. How many times do two families that hardly know one another have to get together for dinner? Mom didn’t have any friends, dad was always working, and the Myer family was new to town so it just fit. Mom and Susan were both trying to make friends so they were going to drag their families along.

“It’s just right up the road.” I said, “The next house, you can’t miss it.”

“Thanks Casey.” Susan stated smiling and I shrugged. No one else had told them where we lived and if they were planning on coming to dinner tomorrow they’d need to know.

“So Susan when are you due?” Dad asked casually and I heard my mom suck in a breath.

“Oh, I’m due in about three months.” Susan answered smiling and touched her stomach. “Then it’s dirty diapers and late nights again.” I could tell she couldn’t wait to get back into that.

“I would have some more, but Casey is just too hard to handle.” Kathy stated lightly, but or some reason I thought she could have been brutally honest even if the expression on her face wasn’t serious.

“Well thank you mom.” I retorted shaking my head. “I’m really not that bad am I?”

“Sometimes.” She answered immediately before she turned back to her meal.

“Kathy.” Dad stammered looking across the table at my mom who just shrugged.

“I think I just lost my appetite.” I grunted placing my napkin neatly down on the table. I hadn’t used it. I hadn’t really ate either. “Although the dinner was very nice Susan.”

“Well aww, come on and try to eat the rest.” Susan pushed politely then she put her hand on mine and rubbed it lightly before she patted it.

“Oh, no.” I said frowning slightly pulling my hand away gently. “I’m done.” I then stood and left the table and walked outside. Mom and I were going to have a talk about this. I was sitting out on the front porch waiting on them to get finished with whatever they wanted to do so that we could leave when the door opened I stood and brushed off my ass. “Ready to go?”

“I live here, I’m not goin anywhere.” Colin answered and I turned to face him.

“I thought you were my parents.” I huffed crossing my arms. “Don’t expect me to be back here anymore.”

“Why?” Colin asked curiously, “Not like my mom’s cooking?”

“Hell your mom is a damn good cook.” I answered shaking my head. “It’s my damn parents and my damn life that I don’t like.”

“Ever thought of changing?” He asked and I glared at him.

“I won’t change.” I answered shortly. “Not or anybody.”

“Hey, it’s you that said you hated it.” Colin responded throwing his hands up dismissively. “I was just giving you some advice.”

“Well I like myself.” I offered looking at him. “Why do you care anyway?”

“I don’t.” He stammered standing a little straighter than what he was before. “It’s your shitty mess not mine.”

“You had to see what she done.” I hissed sliding my foot across the concrete walkway.

“I did see it.” Colin said looking towards the house. “Do you want to take a walk?”

“No.” I answered looking him over. I didn’t want to be seen with Colin Myers outside of school at any costs.

“Then why don’t you just walk home since you live so close?” He asked studying me. I honestly hadn’t thought of that option, but when he mentioned it I took off in the direction of my house leaving him there amused by my actions. I didn’t want to wait for my parents. The parents that didn’t even like me as a person. What kind of mother talked badly about her son in front of complete strangers? Not good ones I thought. I would make her pay for that. I didn’t care anymore. I wanted to be rid of Colin Myers and all of his prude family members. I wanted to sink to some level my mom already has me depicted in being. I was going to be myself. I was good enough for me and my friends - the people that I liked to be around liked me for me. Why the hell couldn’t they? People wanted to be me in school. I was envied by everyone and I scared people. When I got to my front door I found it locked and when I looked in the hiding spot for the emergency spare key it was gone.

“Fuck!” I screamed slapping my hand on the door then I turned when I heard laughter.

“Couldn’t wait to get inside your house to throw your tantrum?” Colin asked amused by my outburst.

“Why the fuck did you follow me?” I asked stepping closer to him. He flinched at my speed and that made me stop. I wasn’t going to hurt him. I don’t think I ever could anymore.

“I wanted to see if you really were alright.” He answered carefully, “I’m sorry I disturbed you.”

“I’m fine.” I smirked sarcastically, “I just normally hit my front door and scream the word fuck.”

“Well how am supposed to know what’s normal with you?” Colin asked a little too directly than what I would’ve liked.

“You wouldn’t.” I answered realizing that I was giving Colin shit that he didn’t really deserve. I needed to save it for my mom.

“So show me your room.” Colin ordered offering me a smile.

“I can’t we’re locked out.” I countered looking around. “Mom has hidden the key or has taken it somewhere else.”

“You don’t have a house key?” Colin asked a little amused.

“Well it isn’t like I need one really, mom is normally home.” I answered and he stared at me for a few seconds before he shrugged.

“Well I guess I’ll see you at school.” Colin said waving slightly before turning to leave then he stopped and turned around. “Calm down or you’ll lose Basketball.”

“Like it matters, I’ll lose it eventually.” I huffed wanting to give up again.

“At least you’ll be rid of me if you mess up again.” Colin added pointedly. “So it’s not all bad.”

“Colin your company isn’t terrible.” I offered stepping closer to him. There was still about two feet between us.

“Then don’t fuck up.” Colin reminded then smirked before he turned and jogged back to his house. After he disappeared around the corner of his house I turned and started searching for the key again. Then I saw a piece of paper underneath a flowerpot mom had sitting on the far corner of the porch so I walked over and bent down and picked it up. Then I opened it to find that it was a note from Heather.

“I know you’re at Colin’s house, but I let myself in through the back door so sneak away.” I read allowed before I felt my heart start beating faster. I remembered the uncharacteristic pat on my inner thigh at lunch that scared me. Now Heather had broken into my house and was in my room. When I entered the unlocked back door I turned and walked to my bedroom door. It was shut and I actually thought about knocking, but I didn’t have to as the door opened and there stood Heather in my bathrobe.

“Hi.” She greeted and I looked her over wondering why the hell I wasn’t extremely turned on by this.

“Hey.” I stammered quickly then swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?”

“I said I was comin over.” Heather answered then she opened the door wider.

“You need to get yourself dressed.” I ordered looking at her clothes on my bedroom floor.

“I know your parents aren’t here.” Heather whispered leaning in closer to me. “I saw you walk over with Colin chasing after you.”

“Then why the fuck didn’t you open the door?” I asked sitting down on my bed. When she sat down beside me I stood and looked at her.

“I didn’t because I was naked stupid.” Heather responded laughing slightly. “What’s the matter?”

“We can’t do this.” I hissed uneasily. “You have to get dressed and go home.”

“I thought you wanted this.” She said in a hushed voice.

“I know that you don’t.” I countered and she smiled slightly.

“I changed my mind.” She stated then stood and opened up the bathrobe and I saw a sight of Heather that I never saw before and it didn’t do anything for me.

“Cover yourself.” I ordered looking away. “We’re only fourteen, shit.”

“So what?” Heather asked crossing her arms which only pushed up her breasts and she smiled when I noticed.

“I don’t know, but we’re not doing anything so put your damn clothes back on.” I retorted bending down to pick up her clothes.

“You know ever since you met Colin you’ve changed.” She said as she dropped the bathrobe completed then started getting herself dressed.

“I have not.” I countered then I leaned against my computer desk and looked down at my feet until I knew she was decent even if I had already seen every inch of her body naked by now.

“Yes you have.” She repeated and I crossed my arms.

“Then you don’t know who the fuck I am then.” I snapped and I watched her jaw tighten.

“I don’t know you?” Heather asked then she laughed slightly. “I know you Casey Phillips.”

“No you don’t.” I countered stubbornly.

“I have been in your life long enough to know you.” She breathed walking up to me. “And you know that I do too.”

“Fine.” I stammered, I didn’t want to talk about this and she needed to get out of here before my parents returned. I didn’t want to put a strain on our relationship even if there already was one. I needed Heather and Heather definitely needed me. “It’s just that Mom pissed me off so I wasn’t in the mood.”

“You could have just told me that.” Heather retorted smacking me on the arm then smiled.

“Are we ok now?” I asked and she stood on her tip toes and kissed me on the lips quickly.

“Yeah, She answered smiling, “Wanna go to the movies this weekend?”

“Yeah.” I replied and I walked her down to the backdoor and she kissed me again on her way out and as soon as the door closed I started freaking out. I didn’t know what to think anymore. I saw Heather as my girlfriend before Colin Myers got here. She knew it as well as I did that I had changed. I was getting tired of Heather. I saw her as a friend. I really good friend that was beautiful to look at. She also had an admirable personality that was close to my own. I knew that she was trying to assert herself. I guess it was hard being tied to the most popular person in our class. There has been a lot of shit thrown at me recently so there was no wonder I wasn’t feeling things for Heather anymore. After all of this sorted out Heather and I would be fine. I was fine. I wasn’t changing. I actually sat down and one my homework waiting for my mom and dad to get in. It was late when they did though and they came in laughing at something.

“Casey.” Mom said after noticing me. “You were rude at dinner leaving the table like that.”

“Mom.” I hissed standing up. All of the anger towards her flooded back into my mind and I glared at her. “What you said at dinner was stupid.”

“Stupid?” Mom asked blinking slightly. “What are you talking about?”

“What you said about me!” I snapped and she closed her eyes frowning.

“Now Casey.” Dad warned, “Don’t you start or you’re going to be in trouble.”

“What do you mean in trouble?” I asked shaking my head. “I am in trouble, but I guess it’s ok to badmouth your own son in someone’s house.”

“She didn’t do that, she was joking.” Dad defended and they both stared at me.

“Joking with the truth.” I growled angrily. “You don’t love me and that’s fine.”

“We do...”

“No, I’m ok. I’m a burden for the two of you to have.” I interrupted feeling my head begin to hurt. “So just don’t deal with me anymore.”

“We won’t stand for you talking to us like that.” Dad bellowed stepping closer to me. “You’re grounded indefinitely.”

“No I’m not.” I countered in a hushed voice. “Just don’t bother with me.”

“Then get out of this house!” Dad yelled abruptly and I was shocked at his outburst.

“Honey, no.” Mom stammered but he looked at her.

“If he thinks all of that then let him rough it on his own.” Dad put his foot down, “You have an hour to pack your things and no we don’t care who you stay with.”

“I knew you didn’t love me.” I whispered then turned and walked up the stairs to my room. I hadn’t expected this at all.

“We do though!” Mom yelled from the bottom of the stairs. Then I heard them two start arguing and I didn’t like that either. They never really argued and it was usually when it came to me. It didn’t take me an hour to pack though and when I dragged my things down the stairs there was no one in the living room. I thought that he had just been mad and was going to tell me to get my ass back up the stairs. That I was grounded and that was that. It didn’t happen though so I opened the door and dragged my things out it. It was too late to cal Austin so I sighed and stood there for a few moments before I looked down to see that lights were still on next door. I didn’t know them at all, but I needed a quick solution and they were it. I strained to carry all of my things. I didn’t want to take more than one trip back to my house. I knew from somewhere I was being watched by my parents.

“What in the world?” Cassidy asked opening the front door a few seconds after I dropped all my shit on their wooden porch.

“Hey Cassidy is your mom home?” I asked ignoring her question. She looked down at my bags on the porch and she looked at me.

“Mom come to the door!” Cassidy ordered then she turned and looked at me again. When Susan arrived at the door she looked me over as well.

“What are you doing Casey?” She asked, her voiced filled with concern.

“Me and my parents had a fight.” I answered then looked down at my feet. This was embarrassing and I was on the verge of crying and I didn’t want it to become even more embarrassing for me.

“Well come on in Casey.” She ordered carefully, “Oh honey.”

“I don’t want to be a bother it’s just it’s late.” I stammered stepping into the house. It looked different now then it did when we were here earlier. The lights were dimmed and the kitchen was completely lifeless.

“You’re not bothering anyone.” Susan countered patting me on the back. “Colin come down here now!” After Susan yelled up the stairs I heard a rushing as he came bounding down the stairs.

“Are you having labor pains Mom?” He asked then saw me standing in the living room with the front door open.

“No dear.” She answered smiling slightly then she turned to Casey. “Casey needs help with his bags, he’s staying with us for a little while.”

“What?” Colin asked surprised at seeing me standing there.

“I’ll only be here for a night then I’ll go to Austin’s.” I stammered walking through the door to help Colin bring in my things.

“I won’t hear of that.” Susan countered looking me over frowning. “You’re staying here for as long as it takes for you and your parents to get back on better terms.”

“Alright.” I sighed, I didn’t want to get into an argument with the person that just agreed to let me stay for the night.

“You didn’t eat that much at dinner are you hungry?” Susan asked she had her hands resting on her stomach and she looked tired. She had probably been on her feet all day and I didn’t want her to be on them anymore even if I was hungry.

“No I’m not hungry.” I lied offering her a smile.

“Where is he staying mom?” Colin asked as he grabbed one of my bags.

“Well since we turned the guest room into the nursery I guess he’s staying in your room.” Susan answered and Colin and I glanced at one another. I didn’t know about that at all.

“With me?” Colin asked a little unsure of the situation.

“No, you’re sleeping out on the porch.” She replied sarcastically rolling her eyes. “Of course with you.”

“There’s only one bed in my room.” Colin pointed out and she shrugged.

“You’re both boys aren’t you?” She asked growing a little impatient with Colin. It was getting late and she was starting to look strained.

“Fine.” Colin stammered grabbing another one of my bags and started towards the stairs. “Goodnight mom, love you.”

“Good night dear.” Susan said then looked at me. “Tomorrow me and you will get you back in your house.”

“I don’t know about that, but thanks.” I offered frowning then I followed Colin up the stairs to his room and he looked completely put out when I got in there. His room was a nice room. Since the houses were similar it looked a lot like my room except the walls were a different color paint. Mine was blue and his was a dark green.

“What happened?” Colin asked sitting my stuff down off to the side.

“I let my temper get the better of me.” I answered a little embarrassed since Colin warned me about doing that.

“I knew you would.” He responded nodding his head. “Casey you need to learn some self-control, not everyone is going to back down.”

“I know that.” I groaned not wanting to be preached at by someone my age. “Don’t you ever get mad?”

“Well yeah.” He answered a bit amused by it all. “I just don’t go yelling at my parents when I do.”

“They were the reason that I was mad though.” I snapped crossing my arms. “You were there and you know what happened.”

“You can’t take a joke?” Colin asked and I looked at him. He was smirking at me. He knew I could take a joke and he knew that my parents were out of line. He just wanted to prove his point that I had no self-control. I had self-control though. I just didn’t like it when people talked shit about me. Especially if it was my mom and dad.

“Can I shower?” I asked ignoring his question completely.

“Yeah it’s up the hall to your left.” Colin answered and I nodded and fumbled through one of my bags to find what I needed. I packed my soap and shampoo with me since I was picky when it came to the way I smelled then I got what I slept in and went to take a shower. This was going to suck even more than not being able to go out for football this weekend. When I was finished I got dressed and walked back into Colin’s room and he had dressed down and had gotten in his queen size bed. When I entered he scooted to one side and pulled back the covers.

“I’ll sleep on the floor.” I whispered feeling awkward suddenly. I was uncomfortable being out of my element. This was Colin’s room and his house, not mine. Now he was going to be in control of me at school and here as well. Why did my parents have to be the way they were?

“The floor is uncomfortable.” Colin pointed out, but I didn’t move. “Casey grow up and get into bed no one’s going to know.”

“I’m not worried about that.” I countered walking over to his bed and sitting down on it. “Look at how much a year changes things.”

“What do you mean?” He asked and I felt him moving around in his bed. I had my back turned so that I couldn’t see him. I was dressed in shorts and boxer briefs and his air conditioning was started to make me shiver slightly.

“I don’t know what I mean.” I answered shrugging my shoulders. “It’s just not good right now.”

“Things will get better.” Colin offered and I turned around and got into bed and covered up the cold air being too much for me.

“I can’t even go out for football Friday.” I groaned rolling over to face him. “It’ll be the first year since kindergarten that I didn’t play.”

“Well since you got kicked out aren’t you allowed to live by your own rules?” Colin asked curiously and I smiled.

“You’re exactly right!” I agreed excitedly. “Thanks man.”

“Well now you won’t ever want to go back home.” Colin grumbled lightly. “Since you won’t have to rules in this house.”

“Really?” I asked curiously and he studied me for a second.

“Don’t you stress out my mom or I’ll kick your ass.” He warned seriously and I laughed slightly.

“I won’t.” I offered and he looked skeptical for a few seconds.

“Do you get kicked out a lot?” Colin questioned as we kept eye contact. It was getting late, but I didn’t really care. If I was going to be stuck with Colin in school and at his house I wanted to make things bearable for me.

“No.” I answered uncomfortably. I didn’t know what being kicked out meant. I didn’t know if it were permanent or even legal for me to be kicked out like this by them. They normally wasn’t that forward or strict with me. I had really stressed them out and I was just now starting to feel bad for that.

“Was it the first time?” Colin asked and I nodded. “So it was really bad.”

“I didn’t think it was until Dad told me to pack my things and get out.” I explained and Colin looked thoughtful for a few seconds, but never said anything to me.

“What was your old high school like?” I asked curiously. I didn’t know that much about him at all.

“It was just like every other high school.” He answered shrugging. “They’re all the same right?”

“I guess so.” I shrugged and he laughed slightly. “Do any of your friends still call you?”

“Well no.” Colin answered frowning slightly.

“Why not?” I asked curiously narrowing my eyes. What kind of friends didn’t ever call?

“You’d have to ask them that.” He responded turning over to lay on his back and look at the ceiling.

“Did you have a girlfriend?” I asked and he turned his head to glance at me.

“None that were serious like you and Heather.” Colin answered yawning slightly. “Well, I’m going to sleep.” I then felt him wiggling around in his bed.

“What are you doing?” I asked a little unsure of myself.

“I sleep in the nude.” Colin answered then I saw blue boxer briefs fly through the air and I heard them land on the floor.

“Fuck no!” I screeched pulling the covers off of my and rushed out of the bed looking at him. He was laughing at me then stopped and was breathing heavily before he pulled back the covers completely and I looked away from him.

“Casey I don’t really sleep in the nude, look.” Colin stammered trying to keep from laughing again. At first I didn’t turn my head. I was blushing heavily and I felt completely out of place now. “Look.” When I finally did turn my head I saw that he had on a black pair of boxers.

“You goof.” I joked then I looked him over. His tanned long body. He had tight muscles, but he didn’t work out at all. He got that body from years of swimming. He told me that he didn’t want to swim anymore, but it’d definitely be the first time he skipped out on it. When Colin covered himself back up it snapped me out of my daze seeing him laying there in his bed like that brought a whole new bombardment of feelings. I was in serious shit now.

“I’m sorry I freaked you out.” Colin apologized and I looked up at him to see that he was concerned.

“Oh it’s nothing.” I offered laughing slightly. “It’s just not everyday I am the one getting pranked.”

“Yeah.” Colin stated feeling proud. “We better get some sleep though.”

“Alright.” I shrugged. I did feel tired and I didn’t do well if I didn’t get enough sleep the night before. I reached over then turned out the lamp and got comfortable.

“Goodnight Casey Phillips.” Colin whispered sleepily.

“Goodnight Colin Myers.” I responded then I closed my eyes letting myself sleep.