THIS HAS THE CONCLUSION OF THE FLASHBACK IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER.
Chapter 7:
Dean, Seth, Shannon and Kayla were in the living room of the Ambrose's house. Shannon was sitting on the couch next to Kayla, holding an ice pack to Kayla's left cheek. Jennifer was on the phone with Kayla's mom, whom worked at the hospital.
"Okay, Anna. We'll see you when you get here." Jennifer ended the call with a sigh. She took a knee in front of Kayla. "She's on her way. Is there anything I can get you?"
"Could I have a glass of water, please?"
"Coming up."
Jennifer made her exit into the kitchen leaving the 4 friends to themselves.
"Has your mother's boyfriend ever acted this way towards you before?" Shannon asked.
"No. I knew he was strict but...not to this extreme."
"Has he ever put his hands on you before?" Seth asked.
"No. Never."
"I don't believe this," Seth whispered. "You saw this happen, Dean. What was the reason behind this assault?"
"Remember that algebra test we took?" he asked his friend who was standing next to him.
"Yeah."
Dean turned his back towards the girls and turned Seth with him. "She got a B on her test and he went biserk."
Seth eyed Dean in shock. "You're kidding me."
"I'm not."
Jennifer walked back into the living room and passed Kayla the cup of water. She thanked Jennifer and gulped it down. Kayla handed the cup back to the mother.
"Could I have some time alone with Dean, please?"
Shannon handed Kayla the icepack before rising from the couch. Jennifer, Shannon and Seth went out onto the porch leaving Dean and Kayla alone. Dean took his seat next to Kayla.
"Are you okay, Kayla?"
"I think so."
Dean took the ice pack from Kayla's hand and held it against her right cheek causing her to flinch.
"Sorry. I'm sure it hurts."
"A little. I can't thank you and your father enough for what you did for me."
"It's okay, Kayla. You don't have to thank me."
"Well...is there anything I can do for you in return?"
"Not a thing."
"Oh...alright."
Kayla and Dean sat on the couch in silence for a moment, then spoke simultaneously.
"Kayla, would you..." "Dean, would you..."
Dean and Kayla shared a chuckle.
"What were you saying, Kayla?"
"You first."
"No, you first."
"I was...I was just going to ask you to the prom."
"Funny, Dean. I was just asking you the same thing."
"Really?"
"Really."
Kayla heaved a heavy sigh. "Anyway...will you?"
"Will you?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
END FLASHBACK
Kayla reached for her purse off the coat rack by the door of Dean's apartment and settled it over her shoulder.
"Kayla, thanks again for your help today."
"Hey, it was no problem. And thanks for the pizza and soda."
"Not a problem."
"Well, I guess I had better be getting home.
"Okay."
Kayla turned to touch the doorknob only to have Dean reach for it also. Their fingers brushed against one anothers. Their eyes met.
"Oh, excuse me," Dean chuckled.
"Sorry," Kayla added.
Dean turned the doorknob and held the door open for Kayla to exit the apartment.
"I will see you later I hope." Kayla said facing Dean again.
"Yeah. I would like that."
"Um...here's something you didn't know about that night when you came into my room and saved me."
"What was that?"
"I can't believe I'm admitting to this but...it was that night that...it was then that I had secretly fallen for you."
Dean stood there in shock at Kayla's words. She turned from him and walked back to her car. She climbed in and shut the door. The engine came to life and she drove away. Dean walked back into his apartment and shut the door behind him. He went to the couch and sat down, her words running through her head. She had fallen for him that night secretly. What Kayla didn't know about that night was that he too had secretly fallen for her.
-Kayla pulled over next to the sidewalk leading to her apartment and shut off the engine. An idea popped into her head. She took out her cellphone and dialed Shannon. She thought a little Club DKS was in order, one that she hoped would be better than last night. She dialed her friend's number and waited for her to answer.
"Hey, Shannon. It's Kayla...I'm good and you?...Good. That's good. Hey I have a question...Are you and Seth busy next Saturday night?...The fair is coming to town and I was wondering if you and Seth would like to go with me...Great...I haven't asked Dean yet, but I will. I'm sure he would like to go too...Okay. Talk to you later. Give a shout-out to Seth for me too, please?...Alright. Bye-bye."