♡ Mia's pov ♡ " Brianna seems nice," I tried to make conversation as I darted my eyes to the rearview mirror to take a peek at Kade. He seems to be lost and tired. Had he not been sleeping properly? For a second I felt bad that he was mourning his mom's death alone. If only he would let me in. As bad as I am at consoling. Maybe, it would've counted if I just held him, hugged him. That always seems to work. For Kade though, I wasn't so sure it would've only ended with just a hug. Hearing my voice, Kade's eyes sweep over to connect with mine for a second through the mirror. " There are a lot of people who seem nice, but aren't," With that he turns away from me like we weren't having a conversation, no matter how short it had been. Confused by his answer, I tried again. "So you're catching a ride with Brian right? " Kade nods, still looking out the window. I let out a sigh. He was making this difficult. What was so bad in having a conversation? He looked pretty fine chatting it up with Brianna and Brian at school. Angry by where my thoughts have led to, I look ahead. "You're going to have to ask my parents permission to go to that party." And then, he spoke. Well snapped. " And why the hell should I? I'm pretty sure I'm old enough to make decisions on my own." His words irked me. Because not only are my parents trying their best to get through to him, Kade just seems hell-bent on hating us. "Clearly not old enough to be on your own. So get off your high horse seventeen year old. As long as you live under my parents roof until eighteen, you better treat them with respect," My eyes meet his again through the rearview mirror. " Got it?" Kade gave me a stubborn tilt of his chin and then smirk. "Only if you promise to stop trying to take a quick peek at my cock. I would hate to go to the authorities and say that I'm not feeling safe in a house with a teenage girl who can't keep her eyes and hands to herself," My eyes widen and the slight panic starting in my stomach starts to rise. Kade who kept his gaze on me, chuckles. "Jeez, you fell for it. Don't worry red, you have my full permission to look whenever you want." My jaw ticks. " You're so annoying."__ "Hey Mom, " I murmured, coming over to her to plant a kiss on her cheek. "Hey baby, " She answered, flinging her heels away from her feet. They make a clapping sound when they hit the wall. Mom was a real estate agent. And one of the best in her field. Dad was a lawyer and tonight he's working some long hours on a case. Our family was pretty well off if I must say so myself. My eyes fall to the smaller figure behind her. " Still mad at me little toad?" I asked Austin who puffs out his cheeks and flips me off when mom wasn't looking. I rolled my eyes, used to it by now. With one of my arms secured around the bowl, I reached in with the other to grab a handful of popcorn. Mom's eyes fall onto the ball and she furrows her brows. " Are you watching a show already? Have you done your homework? Throwing the buttered popcorn into my mouth, I nodded. " Yes and, yes," Sighing, she shook her head with a smile. "Can't say I'm surprised," Her eyes scan the area and she looked upstairs. " Where's Kade? In his room?" With her expression, I know she knew the answer. I nodded, and her shoulders sag in defeat. " I wish I could go in there and ask him how was his day but I'm afraid he'd throw something at my face." She admitted, walking into the kitchen. I follow behind her like a puppy. Why you may ask? Well, I was about to ask her permission to go to the bonfire tonight. Mom knew I wasn't a party girl, but maybe if I tell her Kade wanted to go also, she'd let me. It's not like she was strict. Just overprotective. Dad was way worst than her though, so I was happy he wouldn't be here until later tonight. By then, mom would've hopefully given me her answer. "Hey mom," I whispered garnering her attention as she opens the freezer. She looks over at me in question while taking out two popsicles. "What is it baby? " "Austin!" She yelled. Austin comes running into the kitchen and pries one of the popsicles from mom. "Thanks mommy!" He chirps, poking his tongue out at me obnoxiously before scurrying away.I set the bowl on the counter, swallowed the popcorn and looked at her in hesitation. I've never asked her or dad for permission to go to a party before. I didn't know how to start. "Errr...." I nervously grin and pushed my hand back into the bowl. Mom looks at me with raised eyebrows. " What is it Mia? Did something happen at school today?" I shook my head quickly and pushed a handful of popcorn into my mouth. " No. I just want permission to go to a bonfire tonight. Kade wants to go too," My voice comes out muffled by the popcorn. Mom features look confused. " What?" Swallowing the popcorn, I rushed out. " I was invited to a bonfire party tonight. I was thinking and I really want to go....." When mom looks to be contemplating my words, I finished. " And Kade wants to go too. I'll keep an eye out on him so he'd not get into trouble," Mom looks suddenly interested in the topic. "Kade wants to go?" I nodded. She smiles. " So he's fitting in perfectly? I was scared he'd come off too........aggressive to the other students," She admitted. '" He's a big guy and looks scary from afar, " She chuckles lightly. She had no idea how much he has fitted perfectly. Kade was now at the top of the social ladder thanks to his good looks and mysterious aura. I nodded answering her question. "Yeah, he's fitting in perfectly. Like someone who had been here for years," I wasn't lying. Kade fit in so well that you'd mistake him for someone who was born and raised in this town. She grins happily, looking to be relieved. "That's great! In that case you two can go. But make sure to be here before ten. Your dad wouldn't like it if you're out later than that," I nodded, smiling happily. I wasn't excited about the bonfire. As bad as it sounds, I was just happy that I'd get to keep my eye out on Kade and Brianna. "Thanks mom!" Elated that she didn't question my sudden interest in parties. I left her and raced upstairs to tell Kade the good news. He didn't have to ask her on his own anymore.I don't bother to knock and opened the door. My eyes fall on his figure on the bed, his legs dangling at the ends. " Hey jerk!" Kade removes the headphones from his ear and snaps his attention to me. "Come to take another peek?" He smirks, roaming his eyes over my body. I rolled my eyes. "You wish. I just came to tell you that you're welcome," He groans as he sits up. "And why should I be thanking you again?" " Well because I got my mom's permission to go to the bonfire tonight." Kade raises his brow and chuckles lowly. "Is that why you're so chirpy?" I shrug, turning around to walk out. "You owe me!" With that I walked out, closing the door behind me softly with a huge ass grin plastered on my face.