Chapter Twenty-Two
Kylen
I’m driving to the airport to pick up my grandparents. It’s a day before Parents’ Day and they’re flying in early because they want to spend more time with me and see the school and the sights. They’ll be staying at a nearby hotel.
The drive is pretty long. I put on an audio version of Romeo and Juliet.
Even though Raven and I are performing one scene, I want to listen to the entire thing because I don’t remember it well when we learned it in ninth grade.
I also want to practice my lines and figured if I hear other people perform them, I might get some ideas to bring Romeo to life.
I know my British accent is terrible, but that’s what makes it funny and entertaining. Hopefully Mr. Lewis will appreciate the effort.
I love how Raven always laughs at my lame attempt at the accent. That’s probably why I keep doing it, even though it’s so cringey.
The time goes by fairly quickly and soon I’m texting my grandparents, asking them where they are. They have already gotten their luggage and should be meeting me outside. I wish I could wait for them inside, but there’s hardly any room to park.
The second I see them, I climb out of the car and wave to catch their attention. A bright smile forms on their faces as they make their way over to me.
Grandpa sets down their small suitcase while Grandma pulls me into her arms. “We missed you so much,” she says as she squeezes the life out of me.
“Grandma! I missed you too, but I can’t breathe.”
She releases me, but then I’m pulled into Grandpa’s arms. He doesn’t squeeze as hard, but he hugs me for a long, long time. After he lets go, I’m back in Grandma’s arms.
This reminds me of when I was a little kid and how I loved when my grandparents hugged me to make me feel better.
“Okay, let me look at you.” Grandma steps back and gives me a once-over. “Arthur, I think he gets more and more handsome by the day.”
“He gets that from his grandpa.”
“He sure does.”
Chuckling, I bend down to pick up the suitcase and load it into the trunk. “Thanks. I’m so glad you guys are here.”
“So are we,” Grandpa says as we get in the car. Grandma sits in the passenger seat while he takes the back.
As I pull away from the airport, Grandma plays around with the music. Her eyes widen when Romeo and Juliet fills the car. Grandpa’s eyebrows furrow.
Laughing sheepishly, I say, “It’s for my project with Raven. It’s about Shakespeare and how his work is still relevant to us today. Raven and I are going to perform a scene from Romeo and Juliet to the class.”
Grandma slowly turns to me. “You’re performing a scene from a love story with your ex? The girl you used to be in love with? Kylen, that can’t be good for your mental and emotional health.”
“No, it’s fine. Raven and I are friends now and we put whatever happened in the past behind us.” I smile. “Things have been going well. Very well. I forgot how awesome it is to be her friend. We have such good times when we hang out.”
Grandpa bends forward. “That’s great to hear.”
“As long as you’re okay,” Grandma says. “I don’t want you falling down a dark hole again.”
I shake my head. “Nope. No dark holes this time. Raven and I are mature young adults who can be friends despite what happened to us a year and a half ago.” I shrug.
“I don’t think either of us is looking to be more than friends.
” At least not yet. I would be open to the idea, but I think it’s best we take things slow and not worry about what might happen in the future.
“I’m glad things are working out for you,” Grandma says. “Are we going to meet this girl?”
“Sure, tomorrow at Parents’ Day. Raven wants to meet you guys, too.”
Grandma smiles. “She sounds sweet.”
“Yeah, she is.”
Grandpa frowns. “I’m glad you kids are getting along, but can we please put something else on?”
Laughing, I change to a music station. Grandpa sings along with the song, and Grandma adds in, too. He used to have a band when he was my age, but nothing came out of it. I think I have inherited my singing and musical talent from him.
I pull up to the hotel about forty-five minutes later and we get out of the car. After I grab the suitcase, I go with them to the front desk to check in. Then I accompany them to the room. It’s pretty small, but it’s enough for them.
I place the bag on the bed. “Are you guys tired? Hungry? Want to go out for food or do you want to take a nap?”
Grandpa chuckles. “We’ve only been together for an hour and he’s already taking care of us.”
“That’s because he’s a sweetheart.” Grandma wraps an arm around me, pulling me to her. “Whoever he marries one day in the distant, distant future will be a lucky girl.”
My face feels warm. “Grandma…”
“What? She will be.”
“If you say so. But can we not talk about girls?”
“Okay, my precious grandson. I think your grandfather and I are too tired to go out to eat.”
“Okay, I’ll go pick something up. What are you in the mood for? Chinese? Mexican? Burgers and fries?”
Grandpa turns on the TV to a sports channel. “I think we’ll go for something light.”
“Sure. See you in a bit.”
The game plays in the background as my grandparents start emptying their suitcase. I leave to a nearby take-out place to get something for all three of us.
By the time I get back, my grandparents are unpacked and they’ve changed the channel to cooking. It plays in the background as we set the tiny table that barely fits three people. I unpack the containers of two chicken salads for them, fries, two cans of soda, and a large, juicy burger for me.
We talk about school and other topics as we eat. I’ve never been to this burger place before, but it’s so good that I nearly devour the thing whole.
Grandpa chuckles. “One could think they don’t feed him in that school.”
I shake my head. “The food there is so fancy you wouldn’t believe it unless it was before your eyes. I’m talking food fit for royalty. You’ll see tomorrow when the students and family members eat together.” I shrug. “I’m just always hungry.”
Grandma smiles as she takes my hand. “I’m so glad to see that the school has had such a positive impact on you. You look like you’re thriving.”
“Yeah? Okay, I guess.”
“I don’t know when was the last time I saw you this happy,” she says. “After the difficult year you had, I’m overjoyed to see you like this.”
I smile. “Thanks. I think being in a higher academic school is good for me. Makes me motivated to do well.”
“We’re happy to hear that,” Grandpa says. “Do you still have time for the band or have you given that up?”
“No, we haven’t given it up. The principal lets us practice in the music room and we’re there almost every day. But you know what? Raven wrote a song for us. We’re already practicing it and it’s going well. I think the song could be a hit.”
Grandpa lifts a brow. “Raven writes songs?”
I nod. “And she’s really good at it, like super amazing.”
“We can’t wait to hear it,” Grandma says. “How are Beck and the boys? Making trouble?”
“Nah. There isn’t really time to goof off around here. The homework is crazy hard and teachers are strict with attendance and with assignments. Beck is actually behaving. I think his parents will be pleasantly surprised when they see him.”
Grandma lifts both brows. “And your room?”
I shrug.
She sighs like she knows she should count her blessings.
We’ve adjusted well to the school, the band is going well.
It’s like they said, we’re thriving. I never expected a school to have such a good effect on us.
Lots of that has to do with Raven and my friendship.
Because if we were still ignoring each other, school would be a place I’d dread every single day.
Knowing we’re in a good place now helps me focus on other things as opposed to constantly worrying about staying out of her way or making us uncomfortable.
I take a sip of my drink. “Are there any updates on Everheart? Can they rebuild the school?”
Grandpa shakes his head. “The entire building has to be demolished and it needs to be rebuilt from scratch, which would take many years. They’re not even sure if they want to rebuild the school.”
“Oh, that sucks. It was a good school.”
“Yes, it was. But oftentimes bad things lead to good things. Like you having an opportunity at a very respectable high school. Not many kids can put Harrington Bay Academy on their resume.”
“Yeah, I know.”
The fire happened over winter break when the school was empty. Thankfully, no one was injured. We were very lucky.
We finish eating, clean up, then get comfortable on the bed to watch sports. I’ve never really been into sports, but I like watching with my grandfather. Grandma is busy reading, but she looks at the TV when something interesting happens.
I remain with them for a few hours until I have no choice but to return to school. “It’s almost curfew,” I tell them.
Grandma leans forward and kisses my cheek, while Grandpa slaps my hand.
“Yes, don’t miss curfew,” Grandma says. “We’ll see you tomorrow. Will you pick us up or do we need to get a ride?”
“No. I’ll come get you.” I bend forward to hug them. “Have a good night and I’ll see you soon.”
“Good night, sweet boy.”
“Drive safely.”
“I will.”
The drive back to campus isn’t a long one and I make it back to the dorm with enough time so I don’t have to rush before curfew.
“Man! You missed a sick game with Raven tonight,” Beck tells me as he throws a small basketball into the mini hoop he hung in our room.
“It was Leo and me vs. Jasper and Raven. We almost had them, dude. But then Raven completely demolished us. She’s a beast, man.
A total beast.” He passes me his phone. “I asked a kid to record it.”
I smile as I watch her play, how determined she is to win for herself as well as for Jasper. Her friends are there and their boyfriends, too. She has six people rooting for her and it gets quite noisy.
When they win, they high-five, and Jasper pulls her into a hug, giving her all the praise.
“That’s cool, man. I’m glad you lost,” I tell him as I pass him his phone.
“Me, too. Raven and Jas deserved that win.”
“Yep.”
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I send her a text.
Kylen: Heard you and Jasper owned Beck and Leo today.
Raven: We didn’t own them. We creamed them.
She sends a winking emoji.
Kylen: Nice. I’m glad you beat their butts.
Raven: Me, too. Did your grandparents come in safely?
Kylen: Yeah, they’re in their hotel. We ate together and watched sports and talked. It was nice. When is your family coming in?
Raven: Tomorrow morning and they’re leaving that night. Robin has school on Monday and my parents need to go to work.
Kylen: Right, of course. My grandparents are retired, so they have time to stay. They’re looking forward to meeting you, by the way.
Raven: Me, too.
I’m about to text something else, but Beck sticks his nose in my phone. “Figured you were texting Raven.”
“I was congratulating her on beating your butt.”
“I’m glad you’re texting her. You’re happy, dude, and that’s all that matters.” He holds up his hand. “Not really my business if you’ve got feelings for her or whatever, but the important thing is that she makes you happy.”
I throw my pillow at him. “Shut up. But thanks.”
He nods, then returns to whatever he was doing before.
Kylen: Since you’re on a winning streak, what do you say you and I take on Richie and teach him a lesson in humility? Girls are just as good at games as guys are. Better, even.
I can picture her smiling.
Raven: Lol, sure. But I’m not sure he’d learn a lesson.
Kylen: Maybe not, but it’ll still feel good.
Raven: It sure will.
We text about other things before we’re forced to stop because it’s getting late. I smile as I get ready for bed, and she’s the only thing I think about before I drift off to sleep.