Chapter Twenty-Three #2
“They can come apart, too. See?” She carefully releases the Velcro. “You can give one to Damian when you’re not together to remind each other how much you love and miss each other. And then when you’re together, you can put them back together.” She demonstrates.
“Oh my gosh, this is even more perfect. You’ve got skills, girl.”
“Thanks. Mom and Dad think I spend way too much time in my room, but the effort pays off, right?”
I glance at my parents and see them exchange a slightly worried glance. I know they’re concerned that Robin is having a hard time making friends. She’s been staying cooped up in her room lately instead of making more of an effort to make new friends.
“What about me?” I ask, hoping to steer the conversation away from anything that might hurt Robin. “Do I get a plushie?”
“Do you deserve one?” she teases.
“I’d like to think so.”
With a grin, she heads back to the backpack and sticks her hand inside.
“You get two, because I can’t decide which represents you better.
” She produces the most adorable penguin I’ve ever seen in my life, and the most kickbutt-looking lioness.
“The lioness because you can take down some of the best lions when you play games. And the penguin because you’re such a loyal friend, you’re resilient, and because penguins are just too darn cute. ”
“Agreed one hundred percent.” I zoom over and fling my arms around her. “Thanks so much. I love them. You’re so talented, Robbie. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks. When will we see Carly and Addie? And I made plushies for their boyfriends, too.”
I love how Robbie is so considerate to think of the boyfriends as well. It’s something I’ve always admired about her, how she’s always thinking about how other people might feel.
Sophie’s phone rings. It’s her parents telling her that they’re here. Most of the parents and families should be here by now, so we all make our way back to the main building. The place is pretty crowded since practically everyone is here, but luckily, there’s enough room to breathe.
“There they are!” Sophie points to a man and woman in the distance before running off to them. My parents and I follow her, and after they hug the juice out of her, we exchange hellos and hugs, too.
It doesn’t take long for Damian to arrive with his mom.
This is the first time the parents are meeting each other when their kids are boyfriend and girlfriend, and I notice the trepidation on Sophie’s face.
She told me she was worried that his mom would look down on her parents because they’re middle class.
But Principal Harrington embraces her mom and dad immediately and tells them how happy she is for the kids.
And she’s also so proud of Sophie because she’s one of the best students in the entire grade and is well on her way to being valedictorian.
I smile as I watch them. Damian being in her life has had such a positive impact on her.
It’s funny how a tragedy can lead to a good outcome.
Damian came to live with his mom because his dad died, and he thought his life here would be miserable.
But not only did he establish a good relationship with his mom, he also got a girlfriend.
I scan around for Kylen, but I don’t see him. Either there are too many people or his grandparents haven’t arrived yet.
“You have to tell him about the dove, Sophie,” Robin tells her.
She laughs. “Of course I will. And I know he’ll love it.”
“Dove?” Damian asks as his gaze settles on my sister. “Wait, are you the famous Robin?”
“Famous?”
“Sure. Your sister and her friends talk about you all the time. Must be because you’re awesome.”
Robin’s cheeks flush. “I’m not awesome. I’m just good at making stuffed animals.”
“You have to see the doves she made us,” Sophie tells him. “They’re lovebirds who are embracing. You’ll love it.”
He smiles at her. “I can’t wait.”
Still embarrassed, Robin kicks her boot against the floor. Then her eyes look out in the distance and she perks up. “There’s Carly!” she points.
Carly must have heard her because when she glances in our direction and sees us, she grabs the hands of her mom, dad, and brother Blake, and pulls them over.
Our parents have met many times over the years and have become good friends, but since none of us live near each other, they don’t spend a lot of time together.
After Robin convinces Carly to call Ryder over, she presents them with dolphin plushies. “They dance in the ocean and they’re so loyal and friendly. I was stuck between whales and dolphins because whales dance, too, but I thought whales would take me too long. Do you like them?”
“Love them!” Ryder says.
“This is the most incredible thing in the world!” Carly says before enveloping her in her arms.
We look around for Addie and her grandfather, and finally find them seated on one of the couches.
After we exchange hellos, Robin gives Addie two hawks.
“I think a hawk represents Caleb well, since he’s so protective of Addie.
And they also represent courage, which I think fits Addie well. Will you give one to your boyfriend?”
“I love you so much, Robin!” Addie hugs her close. “Thanks so much for accepting me so quickly.”
“Raven treats her friends like family, so you’re part of my family, too.”
“Thanks. I always wanted a little sister.” She hugs her again.
We discuss many topics with our friends and their parents, and then my family and I go for a walk around campus.
The wind is still ice-cold, but it’s far too crowded in the main room.
We’re just about go into the building that has the classrooms to warm up and have some privacy, when I catch sight of Kylen walking with two elderly people.
“There’s Kylen and his grandparents,” I tell my parents.
Mom stops walking and turns to me with raised brows. “Kylen? Are you referring to the Kylen who…?” Her voice trails off.
“Yeah, it’s the same Kylen. He goes to my school now and we…” I try to shrug my shoulders casually, but I can’t hide my smile. “We’re friends now.”
“We’re glad to hear that,” Dad says. “We know how hurt you were over the affair. It’s good that you guys have made up. It doesn’t do the heart well to carry around so many negative feelings.”
Robin stares from me to my parents. “Who’s Kylen?”
All three of us glance at Robin, then exchange looks with one another.
“What?” she asks.
“It’s a guy I used to know,” I tell her.
She folds her arms over her chest. “It’s more than that. Why are you keeping me out of the loop?”
“We grew close at camp after ninth grade. But then we drifted apart. Now we’re friends again.”
Kylen and his grandparents have caught up to us. He smiles at me. “Hey, Raven. Are these your parents and sister?”
“Yes. These are Vince and Amy Mitchell, and Robin.”
Kylen shakes hands with my parents and then holds his hand out to Robin. “Hi. I heard great things about you.”
She stares at him as she shakes his hand. “You used to be friends with my sister?”
“Yeah. We were great friends at camp. And we’re great friends now.” He turns to his grandparents and introduces them as Arthur and Sylvie Barrett.
His grandmother smiles as she moves closer and encloses me in her arms. “I’m so glad to finally meet you, Raven. Kylen has told us so much about you. We’re very glad the two of you are good friends.”
“He told us you helped make his transition to a new school much easier, and we’re thankful for that,” his grandfather adds.
“Thanks. I’m so glad to meet you, too. And I’m really thankful to have him as a friend.”
We exchange a few more words, mostly about how life at school is, and they’re also curious about our history project.
I don’t know why I was so nervous to meet them.
They’re such sweet and amazing people. Now I see why Kylen is such a kind and good-hearted guy—his grandparents did a wonderful job with him.
And the way they smile at him with nothing but pride and love in their eyes, it’s obvious he’s the most important person in their life.
I know it couldn’t have been easy for them after Kylen’s parents died, so it’s nice to see that they’re super close and happy.
His grandparents focus their attention on my parents. Now that the adults are occupied with their conversation, Robin hisses to me, “Kylen’s really cute. Do you like him?”
“Robin,” I grumble.
“What?”
“We’re just friends.”
She’s about to respond, but Kylen sticks his hands into his coat pockets and moves closer to us. “So how’s Parents’ Day treating you so far?”
Did he overhear our conversation? I don’t think so because he was standing quite a distance away, and our parents and his grandparents aren’t exactly speaking quietly.
“It’s great,” I tell him. “I missed my parents and sister so much.”
“Same. It means the world to me that I get to see my grandparents.”
“Kylen is an interesting name,” Robin says.
He grins. “Sure is. You want to know why my parents named me that?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. It’s actually a funny story. So you know how some parents don’t want to know the gender of the baby before it’s born?
Well, my parents were so impatient, they wanted to know as soon as possible.
Because they wanted enough time to choose the perfect name for me.
” His eyes get a faraway look, and I note the pain in them.
“Dad liked the name Kyle. Mom liked Ryan. Neither of them would compromise. Like, they didn’t even want one to be a second name because they argued which name would be the ‘real’ one, you know.
But they loved each other like crazy. It wasn’t like they argued, really.
Just neither of them would budge. So you know what my grandma said?
She was like, ‘Well, you know you can combine the names.’ So that’s how they decided on Kylen.
A combo of Kyle and Ryan. It’s a symbol of my parents’ love for each other, that no matter how hard life gets, they could always work through their problems with love. ”
I smile. I loved that story when he told it to me at camp.
“Mega cool,” Robin gushes. “I love unique names. Robin isn’t very popular, either. Some kids think it’s a boy’s name. You know, Batman and Robin.”
“That’s why some versions have a woman or girl playing Robin,” I tell her as I play with her hat. “Makes it more awesome, doesn’t it?”
“Heck yeah. Hey, Kylen, what is your favorite animal? Or which animal do you think represents you the best?”
“Hmm…good question. Is it lame if I say a dog?”
“Why dog?”
“Well, dogs are great friends, and I think I’m a great friend, and loyal. Plus, I tend to be a little goofy sometimes, and some dogs are known to be playful and goofy.”
“Hmm. Okay.”
Kylen glances from my sister to me, then back to my sister. “Can I ask why you asked me that?”
“So I know what to make for you.”
“Make for me?”
“Robin sews stuffed animals. You should see what she made for my friends and their boyfriends. She’s so freakin’ talented.”
“Really? Nice.”
Robin gives me a look. “If my sister would have told me about you, I could have made you one, too.”
Kylen chuckles. “Don’t blame your sister. We only became friends a week ago. But I would definitely love a stuffed dog.”
Robin beams.
The day goes on, with my parents meeting all of my teachers to hear about my progress, and they also hear more about what next year will be like. College is just around the corner and my parents want to make sure I have as many options as possible.
Then it’s time for lunch.
Robin grabs my hand and yanks me toward the dining hall. “Let’s eat! I’ve been waiting for this delicious, rich food all week.”