Cookie Cutter

The cookie can crumble anyway you want it to...

I go through hockey practice in a daze, screwing up backhands and missing shots. I'm surprised I even showed up. But I guess I finally chose what was more important. Hockey. Friends were only around for a day, while hockey stuck around for a whole season. Yeah, I suppose that analogy works.

I walk home without getting badly injured (stubbed my toe) and walk around the side of the house, sliding open the back door, which is always open (not safe). Akamaru and the other dogs great me and for a second I feel found and grounded. I scoop up Akamaru and flopped down on the couch. Flipping on the TV, I scratch behind Akamaru's ears, thinking about our fight. Maybe I overreacted. I'm known to do that.

"Kiba, will you zip up my dress?" my mom asks me, her bare back towards me. I try to keep my face neutral. It's hard not to make a face.

"Where are you going?" I ask as I struggle with the zipper.

"Oh Kiba, I have a date! It's been a while, huh? I think he might be... the one!" she says with a sigh. I roll my eyes and finish with the zipper.

"No really Kiba! I think this is it! If it goes right tonight, I'll bring him home. I promise. Okay Kibes?" She says, placing her hands on my cheeks and brining my face close to hers. I can smell her mouthwash. I'm also surprised she saw my eye roll.

"Mooooom..." I start to say.

She kisses my nose and walks towards the door to put on her shoes.

"We're fine. I don't understand why you think I need you to bring someone around. I'm going to go off to college in a few years."

"But hon, that's exactly why we need someone. You need guidance. I'll see you in a couple of hours, okay?" She says as she reaches for the doorknob. She checks her makeup in the mirror.

"I can't help but feel like you're doing this more for yourself than you are for me and Hana." I say, grounding my toe into the floor.

"Kiba, everything I do is for you kids. Okay? I want to go on my date without feeling stressed, so will you be quiet for just five seconds and let me enjoy this?" She puckers her lips and adds a swipe more of lip gloss.

"Whatever. Have fun, I guess." I mumble.

"Thanks Kibes! And buy yourself a pizza. I don't mind if you invite a few friends over. Just a few though, okay?" She says as she straps on her heels and steps outside. I watch her drive off and close the door. As I retrieve back to the couch, I hear Hana's obnoxious knock on the door. I turn back around and answer the door.

"Took you long enough!" Hana greets as she kicks off her shoes. She goes to the kitchen and comes back with cups and an ice cold beer.

"Want some? Mom won't notice one or two." She pops the top off of the beer and pours too cups. I hesitantly reach for the cup. I've had a hard day, so I take a confident swig from the cup. I let the burning taste slide down my throat and sink some more into the couch.

"I'm going to invite Sai over..." I tell Hana as I change the channel.

"Not Hinata?" She replies, slightly bored.

"Uh, no." I say in a tone that I hope shows I'm finishing the conversation. She doesn't say anything in return, so I guess it worked. I pull out my cell phone and send a quick text.

busy? mom is out & hana wont stick around

"I think I'm going to go out. Sasori said he wasn't busy tonight and I don't wanna stick around with two little kids." Hana teases. I roll my eyes and she ruffls my hair.

"I'm just going to change my clothes and head out." Hana stands up and heads up the stairs.

sure! J

I find myself smiling at his reply as I headed upstairs to straighten my room. I don't really like people seeing my room messy.

"Later bro!" Hana calls out as she passes my down the stairs. I hear her close the door behind her and I bask in the silence. I decide to change my clothes as well and start working on making some sandwiches when the doorbell rings.

"Hey!" Sai says when I open the door. He grazes his lips with my own and passes by to the kitchen.

"Watcha making?" He asks as he hooks my pinkie in his.

"Sandwiches. Of all sorts." I reply spreading some margarine on a slice of bread with one hand. It's kind of messy.

"Oooh. Do you have my favourite?" Sai asks going to the fridge.

"Your favourite? What's your favourite?" I ask in a bit of confusion.

"You!" Sai exclaims and starts to laugh like it's the funniest joke in the world. I can't help but join in with his infectious laugh. After we catch our breath, I continue making sandwiches.

"Wow. That was cheesy enough to go on all our sandwiches." I say with a grin. Sai rolls his eyes and takes the platter of sandwiches to the family room.

"You got beer?" Sai asks as he takes a swig from Hana's abandoned cup. I give a nod and munch on sandwiches as I take the occasional swig of beer and just lean into Sai on the couch.

I hear the back door click open over the blaring sound of the television. I'm going to make a bet that it's Hana. Mom usually stays out later.

"Kiba?" I hear a high pitched voice squeak in confusion. I scramble away from Sai knocking everything onto the floor.

Hinata.

BAM! How did you like them apples? Ain't NOBODY expected that. Please review and I hope you enjoyed.