Looking for a Home

Chapter 4

I went to Cal's first, but his mother said that he couldn't be bothered. He was grounded. On a snow day. Wow. So…I was kind of out of friends. So I went back to Jecca's house to hangout with Kyra and her friends.

I knocked on the door and some kid I didn't know answered. I had seen him a few times hanging around Kyra, but I had never learned his name. He was the stereotypical poser, or at least that's what I call them when Kyra's not around.

He must have been stoned or something, because he just runs off, leaving the door wide open. I take a step inside and am startled by Simone, who pops from behind the couch.

"You?" She just stares at me. She looked drunk. "What're you doin' here?"

"Why were you behind the couch?" I thought of the millions of things Kyra had told me Simone had done and found better of that question. "Never m-"

"Hide 'n' seek, dummy."

Oh, but I'm the dummy? I close the door behind me, but when I turn back to Simone, she's hiding again. I walk behind the couch.

"Uh, Simone-"

"Shhh! No talkin'."

I sigh, looking around for someone with a clearer head to ask about where Kyra is. Everyone else was gone though, so I headed into another room. It was the kitchen.

"Jecca?"

She glanced at me before rolling her eyes. She was standing at the counter, messing with something, but I couldn't tell what, because her back was to me.

"What do you want?"

I don't know why she hated me so much, but she did.

"Kyra. I-"

"I don't know where she is. Find her."

"Thanks-"

"And be quiet about it."

I walk off, now headed back into the living room. I can still see Simone hiding behind the couch, but at this point I think it's turned more into sleeping than anything else. I glance up the stairs, weighing my options. I'm here now though, so I might as well find her.

"Ky?" I call out before remembering I had to be quiet. Because that's how all parties are with posers, apparently. When I opened the first door, I quickly shut it. So Kyra and her friends do some things the same as normal parties. I almost say sorry, but then I realize they couldn't complain about me walking in on them, because they were supposed to be quiet too. So ha.

"Donald?"

I turned my head to see Kyra peaking out from the hall closet. I smile, walking over to her. Kyra pulls me into the closet quickly, confusing me.

"What-"

"Shhh. You have to be quiet."

It's awkward, pushed together in the cramped closet, but Kyra seems fine with our close proximity, or as far as I know she is.

"What are you doing here?" She whispers, leaning closer up to my face. I lean down to her ear, my smile going away.

"My mom yelled at me and slapped me. Then she kind of kicked me out. Sort of. So I went to go hangout with Cal until she cools down, but he's grounded. I figured I could come to your party."

"It's not really a party."

"That's what you called it."

"Yeah, but it's just…You won't like it."

"So you want me to leave?"

She groans, staring at me in the darkness. "Well, no."

"Good."

And then we're standing there in the dark closet, neither wanting to move because that would mean that we would have to separate.

"So now that you're kicked out, are you going to live in your car like a homeless person?"

"Nah, I'll just sneak into my girlfriend's house every night."

She snorts, scrunching up her face. "Like my dad would ever go for that."

"Who says I'm talking about you?"

When we kiss, it's like our legs give out. Somehow, we manage to fall onto the floor of the linen closet. At first, I was in her lap, but we quickly rearranged ourselves, never breaking the connection between our lips.

We had only been together a few weeks so far. We had never made out like this. Kyra has her tongue in my mouth and I'm trying to not get too turned on. She wraps her arms around my neck, sitting up slightly, her knees now on either side of my legs. I'm not sure what to do with my hands because I know that Ky's weird about her breasts and almost all the rest of her body. So I find it safe to keep them on her hips, rubbing my thumbs in circles.

"Found- Kyra?"

By the point, she's unzipped my coat and pushed it off me. I've pushed her shirt up, though only about a inch, so that I can feel her skin. It's cool to the touch, unlike my body, which feels like it's on fire. She had been wearing my hat, but I've knocked it off, also taking the time to push that pesky scarf off her bald head.

She glances behind us. "Eff off, alright?"

"Who is he?"

It's some girl, but I don't know who she is. Behind her, I can see Jecca, watching. More like glaring.

"He's Donald."

If I thought I hated my name before, I clearly hadn't heard the way that Jecca said it. Kyra leans up and grabs the doorknob, pulling the door shut again. Now though, I can't get into it like before. I mean, I'm into it, but…What did I ever do to Jecca?

Suddenly, we can hear voices outside the door. For a quiet party, they sure do break the rules a lot.

"She's in there? Doin' it? Go Kyra!"

She groans, pulling back from me. "I hate Sim sometimes."

"I thought you guys are supposed to be quiet?"

She shrugs. "Sim's never quiet."

I sigh, leaning my head back when it's clear that her friend had ruined the moment. "You think we'll have school tomorrow?"

"Nah. Someone ran into the power lines near the school. We've got a long weekend."

Tomorrow was Friday anyways, so that was all good. I had a test tomorrow, so that gave me longer to study, though I really didn't need it.

"Cal's gonna be grounded all weekend or something."

"Why is he grounded anyways?"

"Something to do with that girl that he said he was taking out on Saturday. His mom caught them doing something."

She rolled her eyes before kissing me quickly and standing. I just watch as she picks up her scarf and wraps it back around her head before putting the hat back on. "Get your coat. We're leaving."

"For where?"

"Anywhere. You pick."

I grab my coat and follow her out of the closet. Not saying anything to anyone, though she does get some stares, she walks out of house. I pull on my coat, rushing after her.

"You're not going to say goodbye to your friends?"

"They won't care."

I sigh, getting into my car. It's freezing.

"What happened to your coat?" I asked, realizing that she had left it in her rush to leave.

"I don't know, Don. Just go."

"Kyra-"

"Go."

I reached into the backseat, trying to find something to keep her warm. "I have a sweatshirt or a blanket. Take your pick."

"Why do you have a blanket?"

"Not sure. You want it?" I go ahead and give her both. Kyra pulls on my sweatshirt even though it's red, a direct foul on her color scheme. Then she wraps the mystery blanket around her.

"I better not find out you were screwing girls in the back of your car while I was in the loony bin and this blanket's left over from then."

"We weren't together then. Why would it matter?"

"Donald."

I smile at her. "I'm still a virgin, Ky."

"Good."

The heat's on full blast, but I'm still cold. I want to get out of the car and go somewhere, but I have nowhere to go.

"Wanna go back to your place?"

"Roger's still there."

"And?"

"Fine."

The snow's stopped, but the roads are still bad. When we get to Kyra's, Roger's spending his powerless hours sleeping on the couch. When we close the door, he stirs a little, but then sees it's just us and goes back to sleep.

"Wanna show me the stuff you brought over before for Schemata?"

I nod as we head into her room. "Sure. I'm glad you said something. I left my bag here. I would have needed it."

"Not now that you're homeless."

"She has to let me back in. If she doesn't and I tell my dad, he'll go to court and get me back. It's really that simple."

"But if you go back, then you have to move."

I sigh a little, sitting down on her bed. "Yeah, I know. It doesn't matter. She's just mad aright now."

"What did you say?"

"I'm not sure. Just that it's not my problem if she wants to move."

"That's it?"

"And something about her sleeping around."

"Your mom's too sensitive. I say worse things than that to Roger on a daily basis."

"Oh, I know." We were sitting on her bed, cross legged, facing each other. Her knees were almost touching mine and it was nice. "Here, look at this."

I pulled out some drawings and handed them to her. "Here, look at those."

Kyra takes them from me, staring at the drawings. We talk about Schemata for awhile, arguing a few plot points. She made me sketch up a whole new scene, claiming that her idea was better. I told her that I would ask Cal about it, but that just made her mad. So I got kicked out of the bedroom.

"What are you doing back in here?" Roger asks as I come to sit next to him on the couch. He's now reading a book by the light of a candle. God, they keep this house too closed up. There's no light coming from anywhere.

"Kyra's mad."

"I meant back at the house, not back in the living room."

"Oh. My mom's mad too."

He sighs a little, shaking his head. "They're too emotion, women are. Or girls, in Kyra's case."

If this is still Kyra being a girl, I'm hoping she never turns into a woman. I look at his book.

"I read that, once."

"Me too."

"You're rereading it?"

"If I buy a book, I'm going to get good use out of it. Those little comic things you read, you reread those, right?"

"Well, sure."

"It's the same thing to me." He sat the book down before getting up. "Why were you and your mother fighting anyways?"

"She wants to move out of town with her new boyfriend, but I don't want to leave."

"Your eighteen, aren't you?"

"Sixteen."

"You and Kyra are in the same grade?"

"Yes."

"I assumed you were older."

"Why?"

He didn't answer me, so I let it go, trying to take it as he thought I looked older, but knowing that it was really his only justification as to why his daughter would like me. If I was older, it would mean she was just going after the older guy, not the nerdy loser that's in the same grade as her.

"You're still here?" Kyra complained, coming back into the room a few minutes later. "I thought I said to leave."

"Leave where? I'm homeless, remember."

"Maybe she's calmed down now." Kyra sat down on the couch next to me. "Besides, she can't still be at the house to keep you out. Your stepdad's there, right? She won't want to be around him. Unless she really is a whore and still sleeping with him too-"

"Kyra!" Her father came back then, a coke and a pack of Pop Tarts in his hands. "Here, eat these and try not to offend your guest."

She shrugged, taking the Pop Tarts. "I'm just trying to be helpful."

I groan, crossing my arms above my head. Kyra broke one of her Pop Tarts in half and offered it to me, as a peace offering I guess. I took it even though I wasn't that hungry. So that's what Kyra lived off, Pop Tarts.

"You like strawberry?" I ask her, to which she nods. "I like chocolate chip."

"Of course you do."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She just shrugs. I reach over and take my hat off her head, putting it on my own. She smile, eating her food. I'm kind of cold now that I've taken off my jacket, so I start rubbing my arms.

"Cold?" Kyra gets up and goes somewhere before coming back with a blanket. We almost share it, but then Roger clears his throat. She rolls her eyes, just giving it to me. I hand it back to her.

"You're probably more cold then me."

"Why?"

"You're bonier."

She elbows me, but does keep the blanket. I go back to rubbing my arms. Kyra watches me, sighing a little.

"Seriously, Roger?"

"What?" He's back into his book.

"It's not like sharing a blanket will knock me up."

"Ky."

He takes a deep breath. "You're really getting on my nerves, Kyra. One day. I have one extra day off, but you still need to find a way to annoy me. Why are you even here? I thought you ran off to a party or something?"

"Are you asking me to leave? Because there's so much that I could go out there and do."

"Then do it, Kyra. I mean, how bad could it be? He's been following you around for the past few weeks and nothing happens. Take him and everything will turn out fine."

She's mad now. "I don't have to take him anywhere. And the only reason I haven't done anything wrong is because I have to go see that stupid judge about stealing that car in a month. He has nothing to do with anything I do."

Roger just snorts.

"He doesn't. Him giving me rides has just stopped my need of cars, that's all."

"I'm sure, Kyra."

She gets up and leaves, which gets me the blanket the blanket at least. Roger sighs as she stomps off.

"See what I mean? Overly dramatic."

I nod a little.

"I can freaking hear you, Roger! And shut the eff up, Donald."

"I didn't say anything," I call back to her.

"Now you did."

Roger just shakes his head at me. "Her mother was the same way. Everything was-"

"Shut up!" This time, her door slams behind her. If I had a home to go home to, I would probably have left. As Kyra so kindly pointed out though, I am now homeless, so…

Roger sighs a little bit. "I don't know what she thinks slamming a door will do."

I shrug a little, wanting to go check on Kyra, but also not wanting to deal with her yelling at me. Roger sighs, standing up. He goes into the kitchen for a second before returning with a coke for me and a water bottle for him. Then we both just sit there in the dark, powerless house.

"What party did you go to?"

I glance at him. "Jecca's."

"Why didn't she stay?"

"I got kicked out of my house and then went over there to get her. When I got there and went in, I don't think any of them wanted me there so we left."

"You don't hang out with the people Kyra does?"

"He doesn't hang out with anyone because he's a loser." She comes back with my backpack. "Let's-"

"Honestly, Kyra, can't you even be nice to your boyfriend?"

She frowns at the term. "Come on, Don."

"Where are we going?" I get up to get my shoes and coat. "Ky-"

"Out."

"Out." I follow her to her room to get my stuff. "Out where?"

"Places."

"Well, if I'm driving, you're going to have to tell me."

"Just come on."

When we get back to the living room, Roger has objections.

"Kyra, the roads are torn up. I didn't really want you guys going out the first time, but I surely don't want you out driving for fun. I think it's best if you just stay here."

"Nope." She pulls on my hat as she opens the door. "Come on, Donald."

I shrug at Roger before following. We get into my truck, which is freaking freezing. At least it's stopped snowing. Kyra wraps the blanket around her shoulders again, sighing a little.

"Where to?"

"Simone called. She needs a ride home. I want you to pick her up."

"Why can't Jecca take her home?"

"They're all drunk. You're sober. Come on, Donald, just do it."

"Stop saying my name so much," I mumble as I pull away from her house. "I mean, God, Kyra, you don't have to address me in every sentence. I'm the only one here."

I get thumped in the arm. "You've become really combative recently."

"Have I?"

"Yeah. I mean, you were annoying when I first got back, but now you're becoming unbearable. Not to mention you've switched sides."

"I'm not in the mood to be called gay right now."

She rolls her eyes. "I meant my father's team. You guys are all buddy buddy now, ganging up on me. I don't like it."

I glance at her and see that she's messing with her lip ring. She catches me staring at her through the review mirror and makes a face, trying to get me to laugh. It just makes me really horny, honestly.

"Is that Simone?" She says suddenly as we pass a figure walking down the snowy road. I move to pull along side it and roll down the window. The blast of cold that hits us makes me wish we were back at her house. "Simone!"

The figure, who looked like they were about to trip over something, glanced at us. "Kyra!"

"Get in the car, idiot."

"I'm jealous. You call others idiot too?"

Ignoring me, Kyra gets out of the car and helps Simone into my back seat. She wraps my blanket around her.

"Why didn't you wait?" She asks as she gets back into the front seat.

"You didn't come."

"You texted me and said to wait an hour, that you were busy with something."

Simone just groaned.

"Where to?" I asked. "Her house?"

"Are your parents home, Simone?" Kyra asks, ignoring me. "Or do you need to go back to my place?"

"Yours."

Kyra looks at me and shrugs. "Take me back home then."

Letting out a loud sigh, I turn around. "No more car rides for the day, Kyra. Are you guys sure you want to go back to your place?"

Again, I get a thump. "Stop second guessing me."

When we get to her place, Simone needs to be snuck in through Kyra's bedroom window. Or that was the plan. Of course Roger just happens to walk outside while Kyra was in the middle of executing it.

"No," he says simply, shaking his head. I see that he had his car keys, clearly headed somewhere. "I'm leaving and I don't want her-"

"Come on, Roger," Kyra pleads as Simone stumbles over. For my part, I keep my mouth shut, not wanting anything to do with the argument. I have no stake in the fight at all. "She needs a place to stay and Donald doesn't want to drive her home."

"How is that my problem?"

"Roger-"

"Ky, I'll take her home," I offer when it's clear that her father isn't going to. I get a death glare from my loving girlfriend, but from Roger I just get an exasperated sigh.

"You know what? Fine. All three of you stay, I don't care."

We all watch as he goes over to his car and drives away. I look at Kyra. "Where's he going?"

"Heck if I know," she says before grabbing Simone's hand and dragging her into the house. I follow quickly, not wanting to be out of the cold for any longer. Kyra took her friend to her bedroom, laying her down.

"So is this like, something you do for fun? Get wasted enough so that your friends have to drive you home and then watch you to make sure you don't choke on your own vomit?"

Simone blinks. "I like you."

Or at least that's what it sounded like she said, er, slurred.

"Yeah, Kyra does too."

Simone smiles for some reason as Kyra rolls her eyes.

"Anyways," my girlfriend says, going to sit down at her desk, "you should probably call home, Fanboy. It's getting kind of late."

"You? Worried about my wellbeing?"

Now I had annoyed her, so that was no longer the case.

"No," she says flatly. "I just don't want your mother blowing up my phone."

After taking the phone from her, I move back to the hallway, not wanting Kyra to be eavesdropping. Simone either, though I think she's passed out by now.

My mother doesn't pick up. I got back in Kyra's room to find her typing on her computer. With nowhere to sit, I move to stand behind her. For once, she doesn't stop me.

"Simone's out," she whispers. "You wanna go in the living room and watch TV? The power's back on."

"Yeah, sure."

When we get out there, Kyra doesn't try to jump my bones for once and we actually watch a sitcom together. Kyra, not one to ever be amused unless it involves someone else's pain, is silent, but sometimes that's good.

Roger comes home at some point with lunch. Simone is still sleeping, but he only brought enough home for the three of us anyways. We eat in the living room and Roger actually let's us watch something that is neither political nor educational. Eventually, I'm roped into taking Simone home on my own way home. Being alone with her is not fun, but a few hours had passed and she had sobered slightly.

When I get home, my mother's there, waiting. I felt like that's all she ever did nowadays. How did she find time to ruin my life between all this waiting, caring for Betta, and sleeping around? She's amazing.

"I thought I told you not to come back here?"

She's playing me, but after dealing with Kyra, I'm good at games too.

"I'm just here for my stuff."

I don't know why I said that. I have nowhere to go. My feet control my mind though, and suddenly I'm walking down to the basement. She stands in the doorway, fuming as I pack a duffle bag. When I push passed her, I fear she'll hit me again, but she doesn't. She still thinks I'm bluffing. And I am, but no need to tell her this.

"I really am leaving," I say as I walk back to the living room.

"Then go."

Is this what poker is like? Then I guess I won because I walked out.

Like I said, I had nowhere to go.

"What are you doing here?"

I shrug a little.

Taking a step back, Kyra lets me in. Roger, who's on the couch, glances up.

"What are you doing here?"

I can't talk for some reason. Kyra stares at me.

"Your mom?"

I nod.

Kyra looks at Roger. "Please-"

"No."

"Roger-"

"No."

"You're off tomorrow anyways. It's not like we'll be doing anything if you're up."

"I said no."

I shake my head, turning to leave. I shouldn't have come any-

"Wait, Donald."

I glance behind me. "Yes?"

"…One night." He stands up. "You'll sleep on the couch. "Kyra, go get him some blankets."

Her lip ring goes up into that twisted smile she has and I follow her down the hall.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Kyra asks, which I usually would question, but I can't. I just shake my head and she leaves me alone.

Even though it's only nine at night at that point, I go to bed the second that Roger gives me the couch. I go to sleep in my boxers and undershirt, not caring that they're X-Men. Kyra doesn't seem shocked or interested anyways. I think Roger's just glad that I didn't sleep nude.

Around three in the morning I wake up to find that I'm alone and my blankets have fallen off. Picking them back up, I decide that I liked the Seller house much more than my own.