Splinters: Part One

Part One | 7

I narrowed my eyes at him. Collie never mentioned that she was ever with Zech relationship-wise. I wouldn't be shocked if he was lying. Or just delusional. 

"So, being the nice guy that I am, I'm letting you have her. I mean, you look like a decent enough kind of person."

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, glancing behind me if anyone was around listening to this. "Oh, um, thanks?"

He smiled, advancing toward me, and patted my back. "No problem, dude. I'm excited to see you at my place tomorrow. Collie's gonna be there, so it'll be the perfect place for you to ask her out."

"Oh, I, uh-"

"You what?"

There was no way I was going to tell Zech that I probably wasn't allowed to date, nor would I let him know that Ursanne wouldn't be okay with me being with Collie in that way.

He drew in a breath through his teeth. "Damn, sorry, Brent, but I gotta run. Trust me, though, she'll say yes."

Zech began to walk off. I tried not to get annoyed with him mispronouncing my name again. It was almost as if he was doing it on purpose.

He turned and pointed at me. "See you tomorrow."

I couldn't wait to meet Ursanne so we could go home.

...

"So, when you go to Andrew's, you have to tell me what his house is like."

I laughed. "Why?"

"Uh, because! Andrew is, like, the so cute! Out of all the sophomores, I think he's the cutest.."

"Why don't you just come with me?"

Ursanne shook her head. "Absolutely not. He invited you, not me."

"Barely."

"I'm serious, Brayden. You have to tell me every little detail of his room."

"That's a little weird, Ursa."

Ursanne threw a pillow at me. "Will you just tell me what his room looks like?"

I laughed again, throwing the pillow back at her. "Only if you change the channel to something good."

"What's better than The Fosters?"

I raised my eyebrows. "Anything that doesn't relate to orphans?"

Ursanne blushed and lifted the remote, changing the channel. "Oh, sorry."

"It's okay." I shifted on the couch and watched as she searched through the guide. I stopped her once I saw that Criminal Minds was on.

"Criminal Minds is scary."

"It's not that scary," I defended.

"It's scary enough."

"This one isn't that bad."

"Well if you've already seen it, why watch it?"

"Because it's a classic!"

"Dinner's ready!" a new voice announced.

Ursanne groaned. "I call remote after dinner!"

I sighed in frustration. "I was about to say that."

"Who's been watching?" Melissa asked once we entered the kitchen.

"Ursanne," I said.

"Then Brayden gets to watch."

Ursanne sighed. "I was going to give him the remote anyway."

I chuckled. "Sure you were."

"Ursanne, Brayden, go get the rest of the girls, will you?"

When everyone had finally gotten to the kitchen, we all sat down and began eating. It wasn't long until Melissa asked me about my plans for tomorrow.

"He's taking me to his house."

"And are you sleeping over?"

I hadn't thought about this. Andrew hadn't mentioned it so I assume I wasn't.

"I don't think so."

"Well, that'll be okay. I guess he can drop you off back home when you guys are done. Girls and Brayden, your father and I are going to dinner tomorrow so Ursanne, you'll need to watch them."

"That's okay."

"Anyways, Brayden, I think that's great. We probably won't be back until after you get home, though. Is that all right?"

I nodded.

"This is great, Brayden! I'm glad you're able to meet some friends so early on!" Greg exclaimed.

I shrugged, blushing a little. "It's not that many friends."

"It's plural. That's all that matters."

I lowered my gaze. Technically, I had only two friends: Grady and Collie (if you didn't count Ursanne). I didn't know Andrew enough to really call him my friend and Grady was pretty much half. I didn't speak to him every day but besides Collie, he was the only one I spoke to.

"I think it's good for you, too, sweetie." Melissa added.

Odera began talking with a mouth full of food. "Yeah, and now you'll get used to everything and this place will finally be your home."

"Dera, chew first, okay, honey?" Melissa scolded gently.

I smiled at Odera. "Yeah. Yeah, it will."