59

Kat drove deep into the woods, and I watched the trees pass by in silence. We drove for about ten minutes until we spotted another paved road. I let my fingers wander to my cheek, wincing at the soreness. Darren had never hit me in the face before, and I wondered how long it would take for my face to swell and bruise. Hopefully, it would hold off until I made it safely home. I didn’t bother letting Lauren know where I was; I didn’t have her number anyway.
Kat turned down another road, and my jaw dropped as a small town nestled in the middle of the forest came into view. It looked shiny and new, with a sprinkling fountain in the middle of the town square. There were a few shops, including a coffee shop and a little diner.
“Wow,” I gaped, looking around the town square. People were out and about, walking down the sidewalk and sitting on benches. Some were planting flowers or maintaining the grounds.
“Awesome, right?” Kat turned and grinned, rolling the windows down.
I inhaled deeply, the smell of fresh flowers mingling with the cool breeze. The sound of chattering and running water was in the air, and I couldn’t get over how peaceful it felt here, completely away from everyone else, nestled deep in the woods.
“Who knew there was a whole town back here?” I chuckled and shook my head, my eyes glued to my surroundings. So this is where Kieran and Ethan lived. My heart ached at the thought of them, with an image of Jessy popping into my mind at the worst moment. Stupid tears pricked at the backs of my eyes, but I forced them down. No way I would even spare a tear over the two of them. My heart felt twisted and confused. Sure, Ethan wasn’t dating Jessy, but my heart told me I wanted them both. One without the other made me feel empty inside.
“It’s not quite the size of a normal town, but we have amazing coffee, so that’s a plus.” Kat giggled, making a turn down another road.
“You have to take me there sometime,” I grinned back at her, confused by the hidden emotion flickering in her eyes.
“Of course,” Kat grinned, the hidden emotion buried deep.
We turned down a different road and headed a little deeper into the forest. The town square was still visible as Kat pulled into a strange-looking cul-de-sac. A huge house sat at the end, with a driveway big enough to fit at least six cars. It was at least three stories high, painted the color of a clear sky. Huge windows adorned the house, making it look like a modern version of a farmhouse.
“Who lives there?” I gaped at the huge house, noticing there were no cars in the driveway. Flowers lined the entrance, giving the house a colorful and cheerful feel.
“Biggest house in our little town,” Kat chuckled. “I’m sure you can guess who lives there.”
“Kieran and Ethan?” I pursed my lips and gave her a pointed look.
“You’d be correct,” Kat chuckled humorlessly. “This is my house.”
Kat grinned as she pulled up to a similar but much smaller house. By “near,” she meant right next to them. Her house was nestled on the side of the cul-de-sac, just a few feet away from the twins’ home. It was a simple two-story house, painted a brilliant white. Deep blue shutters stuck out on the side of each window, along with a long wraparound porch. I had never seen houses this shiny and new before, only in movies.
“Wow,” I grinned, running my eyes over every detail of her home. Seeing these new houses made me realize how much of a dump my house was.
“Mom and Dad painted the outside a year or two ago,” Kat grinned. “Mom gets tired of the color every year and insists on repainting it.”
I couldn’t help but notice the way Kat talked about her mom, the amusement and love filling her eyes at the mention of her parents. Having amazing parents was a privilege that most people never took into consideration. I tried to keep the blatant jealousy from my eyes as I followed Kat to her house. We made it to the porch when a woman identical to Kat practically burst through the front door. She was almost vibrating with excitement as she juggled a plate of food, two glasses, and a pitcher of something dark.
“Mom!” Kat groaned, giving me an embarrassed glance. “I told you to give us a minute.”
“I gave you plenty of minutes!” Kat’s mom dismissed her with a wave and a cheeky grin. “I just wanted to meet your friend!”
“Hi,” I smiled shyly, taking a seat next to Kat on one of the outdoor couches scattered on the porch. The couch was placed against the wall of the house, giving us a good view of the entire cul-de-sac.
“Mom, this is Sophia,” Kat forced a grin, putting emphasis on my name. “Sophia, this is my mom.”
“So nice to meet you, Sophia,” Kat’s mom beamed, looking so much like her daughter.
While I was surprised at how welcoming and giddy Kat’s mom was, the entire situation was kind of odd. Kat continued using my full name, putting emphasis on it as though her mom would forget. It was also strange how excited Kat’s mom was to meet me. I’m sure Kat had other friends, and I couldn’t find an explanation for her mom’s unruly excitement. Kat was the spitting image of her mom. While her mom had laugh lines around her mouth and eyes, she had the same curly red hair.
“I made the two of you some sandwiches and sweet tea!” Kat’s mom grinned happily and set the plate and pitcher down.
I glanced down hungrily at the food. I couldn’t remember the last time I had an actual sandwich. Usually, I just bought cheap frozen foods for dinner and small snacks for the rest of the day. No, it wasn’t healthy, but it was very cost-efficient.
I tentatively grabbed a sandwich and nibbled on the corner, visibly jumping as Kat’s mom plopped down beside me.
“Mom!” Kat whined, placing a hand against her forehead.
“I just wanna talk to your friend!” Kat’s mom grinned. “You never bring anyone over.”
Kat rolled her eyes and gave me an apologetic smile. Embers of jealousy swirled in my stomach as Kat’s mom grinned happily at me.
“So, I heard you just moved here!” Kat’s mom grinned, pouring some sweet tea into a glass and sliding it my way.
I nodded, swallowing a mouthful of the sandwich. “Yeah, we came from California.”
“Such a long way,” Kat’s mom gave a soft smile. “I’m sure you had to leave a lot of people behind.”
I shrugged. “Not really. I didn’t exactly have friends in California.”
My face was burning under the gaze of Kat and her mom. I felt like I was at some kind of twisted interrogation. Sweet tea and sandwiches to calm me, and a million questions to worry me.
“Why is that?” Kat’s mom frowned. “From what Kat’s told me, you’re such a nice girl.”
“Mom,” Kat groaned again, earning another sheepish smile from her mom. I was trying really hard not to be creeped out by the entire situation, but it was hard. My grandma and I were fairly close, but I still lacked that mother-daughter relationship. It was completely foreign and weird to see how close Kat was with her mom.
“I just never had the time,” I shrugged, taking another bite. “Work and school took up most of my time.”
“You held a job and went to school?” Kat’s mom frowned for just a moment. “Did your parents make you get a job? I know Kaden-Kat’s dad-tried for the longest time, but I told him she needed to focus on her studies.”
“Mom, really?” Kat rolled her eyes and took another bite of the sandwich.
I chuckled quietly as Kat’s mom finished her mini-rant. Her and Kat’s relationship was what I always wanted with Lauren. It was clear they loved each other, even in the way they argued.
“No,” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Lauren and Darren don’t make me work. I’m saving up for college.”
“Lauren and Darren?” Kat’s mom raised an eyebrow, and I looked at her in confusion. I knew it was probably weird calling your ‘parents’ by their first names, but I’m sure other kids did it too, right?
“My mom and stepdad,” I grimaced, the words tasting sour on my tongue.
Kat’s mom opened her mouth to say something else when the sound of amused yelling filled the air. A jeep full of guys sped down the cul-de-sac, skidding to a stop in front of the sky-blue house.
“Sophia, maybe we should go inside,” Kat frowned, picking up her book bag.
“Nonsense,” Kat’s mom gave her a stern look. “I’m sure Sophia wouldn’t mind meeting the twins.”
“Mom, she’s already met them,” Kat grimaced, and I couldn’t keep my eyes from wandering over to the parked jeep.
Ethan and Kieran hopped out, followed by two other guys. As if they could feel my eyes on them, they turned their heads in my direction. The other two guys went silent and looked our way. Jealousy and longing churned in my stomach as I looked into the dark eyes of the twins. An entire day without seeing them felt too long, but I wouldn’t let my resolve crumble. Kieran had Jessy, and I was sure Ethan had someone as well. I wasn’t going to be a side piece.
“Nice kids,” Kat’s mom nodded, sending a strange smile my way. “Troublemakers, but good kids.”
“Let’s go inside, Sophia,” Kat nudged my shoulder, breaking the staring contest I was having with the twins.
“Yeah,” I nodded, tearing my gaze away from them. “Let’s go.”