Splinters: Part One

Part One | 47

I smiled sadly. Finally. She sees it.

"I'm sorry for everything, Brayden. I was so judgmental about you guys and I didn't even consider what she was like towards you. I just always figured that she was after you just to get on my nerves, but... She's cool."

"Thanks, Ursa."

Just at that moment, the doorbell rang. She and I both jumped, realizing that it was for her. She glanced downstairs before making the brief decision to hug me. Her arms were around my waist, mine over her shoulders.

"Love you, Brayden."

"Love you, too."

She pulled away and smiled at me, but I held onto her wrist as she went for the stairs. "Ursa?"

She jerked her head back. "What?"

I made a pained facial expression. "Please try not to kiss him."

She laughed at me, which basically told me that she was totally going to kiss him. "I won't."

Yes you will.

"Bye."

I sighed. "Bye."

She hopped down the stairs quickly, no doubt anxious to see her boyfriend. I bit on the inside of my left cheek. It's still weird thinking of them together, and honestly, I'm not as okay with it as I make it seem. Deep down, I really do hate it, but I know she's happy and grateful so I just have to get used to it.

Making my way to the kitchen, I stopped to tell Melissa goodbye and that I'd be home at some point before it's too late. The drive takes a while to get to my mom's prison, and that's the same amount of time back, so I wasn't sure at all when I'd be home.

The journey to Collie's didn't take long, but when she entered my car, she wasn't impressed in the slightest.

"What?" I asked, putting the car into reverse.

"You said you'd be over in ten minutes."

I nodded.

"You're ten minutes too many."

"I had a talk with Ursa before I left and after I hung up with you."

"What about?"

I looked over my shoulder and pulled out of her driveway. "Well she's going to Andrew's. He picked her up just before I left."

"Did you see him?"

I shook my head and began driving to the facility. I glanced at Collie's outfit. "I thought I told you to wear whatever."

She was wearing skinny jeans, dressy flats, and a dark green shirt. Her hair was curled, too, which whenever she comes over, it isn't. I liked the fact that she felt comfortable enough with me that she doesn't feel the need to always feel like she needs to try so hard, but I also like the fact that she's taking meeting my mom very seriously.

Collie leaned her head back against the chair. "Brayden, the one thing you should know about girls is that outfit coordination is a must, especially when you're meeting your significant other's parents."

"My mom's in prison."

"So? I don't want to look like your trashy girlfriend when I can look like a classy girlfriend."

I grinned. "I don't think you can look trashy."

She smiled, but didn't reply.

"So how'd you get out of the house? I'm positive your parents wouldn't just let you leave for nearly six hours with me."