The next day, Lorenzo pulls into my driveway early in the morning.
After I let him in and he sits on my bed while I continue getting ready, I say, "You really don't have to pick me up."
"And let you walk in the dark? Yeah right. I was raised better than that. Anyways I want to spend time with my friend."
"Only friend?" I tease.
"Fine, best friend," Lorenzo corrects.
"I appreciate it and all, but you wake up so early to get ready and I'm just getting up while you're already here," I protest.
"Like I said, I want to spend time with my best friend. It's my life and I'll do whatever I need to to make what I want happens," he says firmly.
I roll my eyes and grab a pair of baggy pants and an extra large shirt.
Stubborn mule.
"Why do dress you like that?" Lorenzo asks before I can enter the bathroom.
"Like what?"
"Like that. You dress in baggy clothes. Like you want to hide your body."
"Because I feel like it."
Lorenzo goes into my closet and I follow him in. He goes through my clothes and starts pulling out shirts and jeans. He shoves a pair of black straight jeans and a loose olive button up top into my arms.
"Go try it on," he demands.
I lift an eyebrow and he says, "Please."
"I don't respond to demands, maybe if you ask correctly, I'll change."
"Linnea, will you please change into the clothes I gave you?" He asks, his voice sugary-sweet.
"Sure, Lorenzo! Anything for you!" I say with as much sugar.
When I come out and show Lorenzo, he doesn't say anything.
"Has my gorgeousness shocked you into silence?" I tease.
"Haha, very funny. See you look better than you did with the baggy clothes."
I smile as go downstairs to make breakfast. Lorenzo follows after bringing me a pair of knee-high boots. I quickly scramble some eggs and cut avocado to put on a slice of toast.
"Are you going to sit there or will you help?"
"Nah, I'm fine here. Hey, where's mine?" He asks after I sit down with my toast.
"The stove's right there. Make your own."
"Fine. Just remember, I can't cook, so if I try, I might burn down your house."
"Okay, fine. Take mine. I'll just make another one," I grumble.
He smiles and sits down while I get up to make more breakfast.
...
Lorenzo and I are at my locker in the morning before classes when I hear a voice behind me ask.
"Who's this cutie?"
I turn and see Kennett smiling at me. I glance at Lorenzo and see a look of fury and something else on his face. I smirk and look back at Kennett who still hasn't figured out who I am. I approach him and run my hand along his arm. Time to play and see how I can embarrass the jerk.
"Hi, I'm Jyli. I'm new here. Maybe you can show me around?" I ask flirtatiously, winking at him.
Kennett smirks at me and I glance back at Lorenzo, whose jaw is clenched as he watches the entire exchange.
"Sure, anything for a pretty lady," Kennett replies.
He offers his hand and I say, "Okay, tell me when you find Jyli. I sure don't know one."
He looks confused until I tell him my name. Embarrassed, he walks off.
I walk back to Lorenzo's side and see him still tense.
"Don't clench your jaw too tight, you could grind your teeth and ruin your perfect smile," I tease.
He doesn't take the bait and talk back.
"What was that?" He asks rather forcefully.
"What I can't fake-flirt with him? Anyways, it'll get him off my back."
"He's been flirting with you?"
"Hey, there's no harm done. Well, except his dignity," I chuckle. "Why are you so mad? Are you jealous?"
I look at him curiously.
"N-no, I'm just angry he tried to flirt with you," he stammers, all anger gone.
"Why? Because I'm not good enough for someone to flirt with me?" I ask, now offended and tense.
It seems his anger transferred to me.
"No, it's just I know guys like him. He'll use you then leave you when he's done," Lorenzo backtracks.
"I'll have you know I can take care of myself. You've witnessed that firsthand," I spit at him.
"I know, but I'm your best friend. I'll still worry even when I know you have it handled."
He hugs me and I relax.
"Sorry," he mumbles.
"Nothing to be sorry for," I mumble back.
...
"I see you two made up quickly."
I hear a voice snarl behind me. Brittany. I assume she's talking about yesterday when Lorenzo ditched me.
I whirl around and say, "Yeah, that's what typically happens when you're best friends with someone. You forgive them, no matter how much of a jerk they are and they always know that you're here for them."
I look at Lorenzo and his eyes flash with something I can't put my finger on. We walk away, leaving Brittany with her big mouth hanging open.
"What's her deal? Like with you and everyone else?"
"Her dad's the mayor of Yalsfen and she thinks that gives her the right to parade around acting like she owns the place. Her dad is nothing like her, he's super nice and generous. I think she gets it from her mom. She's thinks she owns the town and is always trying to modernize it. She acts like she's from upstate New York and is just here to fix up this place. Like it needs fixing," I explain, rolling my eyes at the end.
"What's her deal with you? She seems to hate you more than everyone else."
"Wow, thanks. I never liked her before. She dated my brother before the accident. I knew she was rude, but Kol turned a blind eye to it. She thinks I was trying to sabotage her relationship with Kol. Brietta and my parents knew how Brittany was, but didn't do anything to stop it. I cared for him and I didn't want him to get hurt. I guess that's big sister kicking in. The relationship eventually ended because she was cheating on him. With Kennett actually. I found out before him because the gossip vine here is super effective. The way the relationship ended crushed Kol. Brittany always tried to get him back, but I was always there to help him out. She has this vendetta against me because she thinks I stopped him from getting back together with him."
By the time I finish, we're at Spanish class. I stop talking as we go in because we're one of the later ones and I don't need anyone knowing my business.
___
A/N
Pictured: the outfit Linnea wore to school
How do you like Kennett? Hate him? I know I do.
Remember: constructive criticism is always appreciated!