♡ Mia's pov ♡ "Gabriel brought his new truck to school today dad. Can I bring mine tomorrow? Please?" Austin asked, basically acting like his butt was itching with the way he couldn't stay still on the chair. Mom looks over at him as she places the barbequed wings on the table. " Why do you want to bring your truck to school Austin?" Austin squirms under mom's unwavering gaze. "Because I want to show it to him?" I rolled my eyes, picking at the mashed potatoes on the plate before me. I had lost my appetite which was strange. I didn't know why though. Mash potatoes were so good. But tonight even though the appetizing smell taunted me, I just couldn't eat it. "You've been trying to be that kid's friend for years Austin, just let it go already," I said dryly. Everyone grew quiet, their curious and dumbstruck faces looking at me. Feeling their heavy gaze, I lift my eyes from the plate and gave them an awkward smile. "Sorry." Mom sits down on the chair, looking worried. "Bad first day back at school?" I shrugged as an image of Brianna's hand clutching onto Kade's bicep like her life depended on it flashes in my mind. "You could say that." She gives me a pity smile. "I know how high school can be. Anything you want to talk about?" "Anyone I need to pay a special visit to?" Dad questions with a slight edge to his tone. I was certain his mind had already conjured up a bad scenario that had not happened. He could be so overprotective when he needs to be. I shook my head. "It's really not anything extreme, just that I had to run a lot for P.E today. Still angry that Mr.Fedrick made me run extra laps because I had been jogging prior." Dad's jaw ticks. "I'll have a word- I shook my head. Here goes the overprotective father mode. "No need to, it's not that serious." Dad looks to be contemplating. After a few moments of silence, he nods. " Fine. But if there's anyone bothering you, you let me know about it. Okay?" I nodded because I knew if I didn't agree he'd surely add a tracking device in my phone or go the extreme by pretending to be a high schooler just to keep tabs on me. I was being dramatic but if I were to be totally honest, my dad would go to any lengths to protect me, to protect his family.We stay silent for a while, nearly drowning in it. Before mom cuts it with a blunt knife. " Anyone up for calling Kade down for dinner? " Not in a million fucking years. I lied earlier when I said I didn't know what exactly had irked me enough to have me lose my appetite. It was Kade. And as dumb as that sounds, it was the truth. His actions today annoyed me more than they should. Acting like I didn't exist, then spending time with some girl while having me waiting? Then he had the nerve to do whatever he did upstairs in his room to me. I didn't know exactly what to call it. He couldn't have been flirting, right? This was just a teasing that he prayed would upset me. He was mocking me upstairs. And I fell right into his trap. So much for being the one in control. Kade had the reigns. And I was just the gullible idiot that couldn't stop thinking about him. Or the way his hot breath fanned against my face, against my lips. Tempting me to just lean forward. The urge was so strong when he was near, it was almost impossible to resist. Until he spoke, and I realized that this, us. Scratch that, there was no us. Whatever was going on, couldn't keep going on. I barely knew him and yet, he was messing with my head- " Mia? " Dad called out, drawing me out of my wandering thoughts. It was a good thing too, I didn't want to be stuck with thinking about Kade so much. " Uh? " My lost eyes find his and his brows draw into a line. "Your mom asked if you could please bring Kade's dinner for him," He spoke but as soon as I heard Kade's name and the word dinner, I completely shook my head. "Nope," "Why not?" Mom asked and I refuse to look at her in fear she'd see right through me. "Because he's a huge jerk that has the biggest ego known to mankind. I mean he doesn't want to try to get to know us, so why should we?" I grumble, poking the fork into the potato. "I thought you guys were getting along? Didn't you two have a chance to bond at school?" I scoffed. Bond? At school? The guy treated me like a rare disease. " Well, you thought wrong. There was no bonding between the two of us. In fact, I think I rather not want to bond with a guy like that." Mom visibly flinches. I think she was being a hypocrite for only sending me to 'bond' with Kade. It was very apparent that she was avoiding facing him herself. They all were. "Of course there was no bonding between you two. Kade's cool and you're you," Austin joked. I didn't like his jokes and right now I didn't fancy this one in particular. I turn my angry gaze to Austin. "If you think he's so cool you do the bonding yourself you little shit." I snapped. I regretted it instantly when he recoils from shock. " Mia! " Dad said in warning. I knew I was wrong. I shouldn't push my frustrations out on them. It's not their fault Kade was getting to me. "I'm sorry," I swallowed, looking at mom, dad then Austin. I didn't want them to think something was wrong with me. Even though my body's reaction to Kade was definitely wrong. I rise to my feet, the chair legs scraping against the floor. " I'll bring Kade his dinner, " I forced out a smile, which I could feel came out as awkward as I felt in this very moment. I took the empty plate that was meant for Kade and started putting his dinner. I could feel mom's heavy gaze. "You don't have to Mia- " It's fine, I want to. I have to give him a chance. " The words came out of my mouth but they felt like a forced reassurance to me. " I'll be back, " I said when the plate looked to be filled. With a guy his size and height, I was sure he would be able to eat this much. They are silent as I made my way upstairs. I took my leisure time, my grip on the plate nearly lethal. I'm just going to drop off his dinner and be on my way. I'm not going to be fazed by his stare, his words, or anything about him anymore. I knocked on the door, my fist lightly tapping on the wood. " Kade. I've brought you your dinner. " I called out. My heart thrust against my chest as the sound of his approaching footsteps neared. The door opens and I held my breath when his naked chest greeted me. " Wow, you've brought food for the bastard, " His mocking tone made me lift my eyes to stare into his and I nearly flinched by the coldness. He was back to being unemotional. I remain tongue-tied when he tugs the plate away from my grasp and roughly slams the door in my face. This time I did flinch.