I make a run for the door, trying not to get soaked. Luckily the porch isn't very far from the car and I make it there mostly dry. I ring the doorbell and after a few seconds I'm greeted by a smiling Mrs. Pemberton. She immediately pulls me into a hug.

"Matthew, darling," she says while squeezing me." have you gotten taller since last Friday?"

I laugh at that and say: " Not likely. I came to pick up Chris. Is he ready?"

"Almost, we're just finishing baking our cookies. But come in, have a snack and we'll catch up!"

"Oh, actually a friend of mine gave me a ride here and he's actually pretty set on taking me home too so..."

"Well, then invite him in too! There's more than enough for everyone!"

Without giving me time to reply she gives me an umbrella and goes back inside and I run back to the car. Leo was on his phone, so I tap on the window to get his attention and he rolls down the window.

"Umm, Mrs. Pemberton invited us to go inside for a while to eat a snack and she insists you join us...that is, if you want of course, you can go home and I'll just walk, my house is not far from here s-"

He cuts me off and gets out of the car and gets under my umbrella, that I have to hold higher 'cause he's a giant.

"I could eat. Are you sure she doesn't mind?"

"Don't worry about it, she loves feeding people. I swear it's her favorite hobby."

He smiles a little and we head back inside. I take off my jacket (well, technically, it's Leo's jacket) and my shoes and see Leo doing the same. Then he follows me to the kitchen. And I'm greeted by an amazing smell of cookies. That and my little brother running at me and then hugging me.

"Hey buddy, how's it going?" I ask him.

"I'm fine, school was fun, and then I played video games with Oliver and we baked chocolate chip cookies 'cause I know they're your favorite!"

"Well, I can't wait to eat them!" then I remember Leo and introduce him to everyone and we all sit in the living room waiting for the cookies to bake.

"So, Chris, is there something you want to tell your brother?" Mrs. Pemberton asks.

"Umm, I made a special cookie for you! It has the shape of an "M"!"

"No, not that, the other thing that happened at school," She insists.

He looks down and says embarrassed: " I was called to the principle's office..."

"What?!Why?!" I ask.

Then he doesn't answer, so Susan( Mrs. Pemberton) answers for him.

"He got into a fight and then talked back to the teacher."

"What?! Chris! Why did you do that?" I ask.

"They were being mean and calling daddy names...and that it's our fault that she's never home... so I pushed him. But he's fine!" He says.

At the mention of my dad my heart immediately stops and I tense. Susan must have noticed because she gives my shoulder a comforting squeeze and I let a little tear fall. I haven't thought about my dad in a while. And I was never really given time to mourn 'cause I immediately had to take responsibility for most things.

"Chris, you can't just get into fights and behave badly because someone insults our family. What do you think dad would have thought if he knew? He wouldn't have liked it, he hated violence. So next time something like this happens, you come to me, ok? And we'll get through it together, like we always do. So, for your punishment, you're going to apologize to your teacher and tell him what's going on. And don't worry I'll go with you tomorrow. Also, no ice cream for a week."

"What?! But we just bought the new Ben'n'Jerrys yesterday!"

"Ok fine, You can have ice cream, BUT, no movies for 2 days. Deal?"

"Deal. And I'm sorry, I won't do it again," he says. Then starts crying, so I rush to his side and hug him. I feel all eyes on me and look at Leo, who's looking at me with an unknown emotion in his eyes.

We hear the front door open, so I think it's Mr. Pemberton, but am happily surprised to see Mike, Oliver's brother, come in. I've known Mike for 2/3 years now, since Oliver and Chris started hanging out and he's seriously one of my favorite people ever. He's in his first year of college so we don't see each other as often anymore.

"Are those cookies I smell?" he shouts from the front door. Typical Mike.

"You're back from College!" Oliver screams while running to hug his brother.

"What's up munchkin?" Mike asks. Then comes into the living room and sees me.

"Yo, Matt, is that you?" And with that he comes running to me and hugs me tightly.

We hear someone clear their throat and turn to see Mrs. Pemberton tapping her foot.

"Glad to see you've missed me," she laughs when Mike hugs her. "I didn't know you were coming today."

"It was a surprise!" Then he turns to me and says," damn Matt, you keep getting hotter. It's not even fair! You know my offer for a date still stands."

I blush at his comment. I mean, Mike is hot and really nice, but I already have my eye on someone. Out of the corner of my eye see Leo stiffen and clench his hands into fists. What's up with him?

"I'm good thanks," I say, and notice Leo relaxing. This guy is so weird...

"Well ok then. We do have to catch up though."'

I smile and nod at him.

Then we eat the cookies while chatting happily hearing Mike's college adventures.

But I notice it's getting late, so I suggest leaving, but not before Susan insists we stay for dinner, but we refuse and leave.

We're now in the car, parking next to my house. I hand the house keys to Chris and he goes running to the door and I turn to Leo to thank him, to see him already looking at me. Very intensely I might add. I bite my lip nervously and his eyes catch the movement so I clear my throat and just like that I'm looking at those gorgeous green eyes again.

"Well, umm, thanks for the ride, and for waiting this whole time. You really didn't have to."

"Don't even worry about it. I had fun. The Pemberton's were very nice and your brother is really funny, so that's a plus," he says and I smile." Are you going to the party next Friday?"

"I don't know. My friends are probably gonna force me to come even though I don't really want to. Besides I'd have to find someone to watch over Chris. But knowing Macy, she already has everything planned."

He smiles,"you should come."

"Ok, I'll think about it," then I get out of the car and hand him his jacket, but then look at the sweatshirt, and start taking it off but he stops me and says:

"No, keep it. Looks better on you anyway. Good night Matt."

"Good night Leo"

And with that he drives off, waving me goodbye.