A New Virus

Southern Boy

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Annalise sat up and went to her rear, staring down.

"I'm going to have a talk with her. Sweet-Tea's gettin' a little bitter for my taste and I like my coffee black."

"Don't. She's right. I am a freak." Annalise looked up when Keith placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Do not ever call yourself that. You know how much I hate that word."

"This is different than when your mom-"

"We do not bring up the she-devil that's six feet under when I am tryin' to comfort you." Keith lowered his hand and sighed. "We ain't here for me right now. I wanna make sure you're okay." Annalise just whined and put her forehead on Keith's shoulder. "What did you say to her?"

"I can't tell you."

"What in the name of Kentucky Fried Lies are you fuckin' talking about?" Keith patted at Annalise's back and smiled when Annalise started laughing.

"Kentucky Fried Lies?" Annalise asked, raising her head a little.

"Homemade is the way to go." Keith chuckled. "But, in all seriousness, what happened?"

"I just...I told her..." Annalise let out a long sigh and hid her face again in Keith's shoulder. "I told her some things about my family."

"Like-"

"Hey, Mac and Cheese! Are you trying to get Annie's attention? You gotta knock on the door!" Wilford's voice said loudly.

"I think Uncle Wil is here." Annalise chuckled and hopped off of her bed.

"Hey, you can't just-" Keith let out a loud huff of air when Annalise opened her door and greeted Wilford. "Rude!"

"You dads just left and I'm in charge." Wilford snapped his suspenders against his chest and winced a little.

"I can see why Google was my usual babysitter when I was younger." Annalise teased. "Where did Mac go?"

"He got scared when I hollered and took off." Wilford laughed. "Well, hey there Keith-ster. When did you get here?"

"Not long." Keith answered with a smile.

"How did you get Dark and Anti to...you snuck him in, didn't you?" Wilford twitched his mustache.

"No." Annalise held out the word.

"You certainly get that from your dad, he just loves sneaking things past ol' Darky-boy." Wilford laughed.

"Hey, Wilford-"

"Keith-ster, I told ya, call me Wil." Wilford said.

"Wil." Keith corrected. "Annalise is keepin' a secret from me and she won't spill."

"Now, what could that be?" Wilford winked as Annalise and wrapped an arm around Keith's shoulder, not seeing the teen stiffen and blush a little.

"She-" Keith cleared his throat when the word came out as a high-pitched squeak. "I wanna know what she told Tiana."

"Oh." Wilford popped his lips before laughing and rubbing Keith's shoulder. "I can't tell you that or else it wouldn't be a secret anymore." Wilford continued laughing and let go. "How does some pizza for dinner sound?" He asked as he walked away.

"Your blush is showing." Annalise sang in a whisper as she passed Keith.

"Shut up!" Keith pouted.

"Keith?" Mac came out of the nearby room.

"Yep, that's me." Keith greeted.

"I'm Mac, pleasure to meet you." Mac greeted with a small smile.

"Now, don't be all Mr. 'Prim and Proper' 'cause I'm new." Keith chuckled. "I'm just a little ol' southern boy."

"Sorry, I'm not the greatest with new people." Mac let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his head.

"You got a fuzzy." Keith said, picking off some purple fuzz from Mac's shirt.

"Oh...thanks." Mac watched Keith's hand. "How long have you and Annalise been friends?"

"Since freshman year. Three years." Keith added with a wink. "Annalise told me that you're a family friend, right?"

"Yep." Mac nodded his head. "But I haven't seen her much, so I'm clueless about her."

"She's a great gal, you'll get along like that." Keith snapped his fingers. "And you should see her with her boyfriend, they're adorable."

"Keith-ster! Come in here and help me with the dough! Annalise doesn't wanna ruin her nails!" Wiford called from the kitchen.

"Lies and slander, Wilford!" Annalise shouted.

"Looks like we gotta help." Keith laughed and took off.

"Her boyfriend." Mac huffed before following.