For What It's Worth

Chapter 2

After the movie, Ken offered me a ride home but I declined. Milo was always the one to bring me home.

It was my mom who gave that order. According to her, she'd be more comfortable if she sees me going home with Milo since she already knows who he is.

Ken had no choice but to agree and so I was left by myself outside the movie theaters.

I texted Milo that the movie was done and that I'd be waiting for him by the movie theater entrance. However, that was 45 minutes ago.

He replied with an okay, which was the reason why I chose to decline Ken's offer. But now I wished I accepted it instead.

The sky was getting darker and there was still no sign of Milo. I texted him a couple more times but he was no longer texting back.

His last message was, 'just wait a bit. We're almost done.'

I never thought the new meaning of almost would be more than an hour.

To be honest, as much as I don't want to... I was starting to get pissed. At both him and my mom.

Stupid mom.

Stupid Milo.

The sun had set and it definitely was dark. Milo still hasn't showed up and just to my luck, my phone ran out of battery.

Great. Juuuust great. I told myself with sarcasm.

Looks like I have no choice but to go home by myself. As I was about to take a step forward, a car stopped right in front of me.

Milo? My heart leapt. The frustration washed away.

But it wasn't him.

I was not disappointed though. In fact, I was more than relieved to see Ken in the driver's seat.

"I thought Milo was going to pick you up?"

I sat down next to the driver's seat and buckled the seatbelt.

"Yeah I thought so too," I replied plainly. Frankly, I don't care anymore. He can just go piss himself.

Ken drove off and I arrived at my house safely where my mom was waiting for me right at our balcony.

She must have been worried since I usually don't go home late unless I tell her otherwise.

She was erm.. overprotective and I don't blame her. My dad got killed after being robbed three years ago after all. May he rest in peace. And I was the only one she has left.

Before I got out of Ken's car, I thought of inviting him inside for some dinner. He agreed and we both walked out of the car, then made our way towards the front porch.

"Good evening Mrs. Jonas," Ken shyly greeted with a smile. My mother smiled back and invited him in.

Ken had dinner with us. Luckily, mom wasn't too busy at work and got the time to cook enough food for the three of us.

"So your name's Ken right?" My mom asked. My face immediately flushed as I realized what my mother was going to do.

She was going to embarrass me in front of my friend. I glared at her but she just responded with a cheeky smile.

Ken nodded. I could tell he was still feeling shy at the moment. He had never really visited my house alone. He'd usually be with Sarah and Laura.

"What do you think of my daughter, Ken?" My mom's sudden question made him spat out the chicken meat he was chewing. I choked on my glass of juice as well.

"Mom?!" My face was heating up. My stomach turned right side up.

"Shush dear I'm having a conversation here," she told me, lightly patting my hand.

I covered my face with hands, grunting as I nuzzled my face to my palms.

For someone overprotective, my mom sure had a different point of view when it comes to boys visiting my house.

She wants me to have a boyfriend so bad because she thinks I'm a lesbian. Her words not mine.

She and Milo's mom tried to set us up on a date once but it ended on a failure since Milo showed up with his girlfriend that time.

"Well.. Ken?" My mom was waiting for his answer. I could see Ken blushing as he tried to avoid Mom's gazes. He glanced at me too, calling for help. I only mouthed him a sorry and eyed him a just get it over with look.

"Alex is... pretty and smart," he bluntly said. I couldn't help but fluster at his words. Now my embarrassment doubled and I just wish our dining room floor would open and a giant monster tongue would come out and wrap me around it before it drags me down to the seven pits of hell.

"Pretty and smart. I see I see," my mom whispered to herself while nodding a bit.

I almost fell out of my seat when my mother, out of nowhere, suddenly asked if Ken was single or is interested in seeing anyone.

Oh my god!

I was about to say something when a sudden knock in the dining room wall surprised us.

Oh my god! Milo thank you!

He was standing at the dining room doorway. My mother and Ken glanced at him at the same time.

"Am I interrupting something?" Milo smiled dashingly as he made his way towards me.

"Where have you been Milo?" My mom asked. I caught Ken exhaling and couldn't help but smile. I found him cute when he did that.

But not as much as how I find Milo cute in almost everything and anything he does.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Jonas. I was shopping with my girlfriend and she took too long. When I got to the movie theater, Alex was already gone," he explained. He grabbed one of the chairs beside Ken and dragged it beside to mine.

Wait a minute. Girlfriend?

"Girlfriend?" Mom's eyes widened. "Another one? Does your mom know?"

So she finally said yes?

He shook his head casually while reaching for an apple on the table. "I'm gonna introduce them to each other next weekend."

Great. Now I hate her even more.

I glanced over at Ken who remained quiet. This time I remembered that Ken's original personality was an extremely shy person so there's no surprise why he's quiet as a muted mouse.

I should save him from his suffering.

Walking over to him, I grabbed his hand. He looked at me confused but hopped out of his chair.

"Ken has to go now mom. I'm gonna escort him out. Bye!"

Without waiting for my mother's reply, I hastily yanked him out of the dining room.

"I'm so sorry for my mom, Ken. That was so embarrassing," I said to him as soon as we got outside his car.

He chuckled shyly. "Nah. I should be the one who's sorry for not really talking much. If only Sarah and Laura were here then I could have talked more too."

I patted his shoulder. "This is why you never get a girlfriend. You should practice gaining confidence."

"How on earth do you naturally gain confidence?" He snorted.

"I have no idea," I replied plainly. We both chuckled and for some reason fell silent. Like an awkward silence... from both of us.

Probably an after effect from the conversation he had with my mother.

"Anyways--" he cleared his throat. "--I should go. Thank you for the dinner Alex. Tell your mom her cooking was amazing."

"Yeah sure," I smiled.

He got in his car and drove off. I turned around, only to see Milo sitting on one of the stairs on our front porch. He was holding a can of flavored beer.

As I got closer to him, he stretched out his hand and offered me a beer.

I declined since I don't drink beer. I'm not a fan of it's taste.

"It's apple flavor," he insisted.

"Aren't you 17? How the hell did you get a hold of these?"

"Miller," he took a sip of the beer. I stared at him. Miller was his older brother by the way.

He noticed me staring at him. "You won't get drunk with this I promise."

Defeated, I took the beer and sat next to him.

"I'm sorry," he said in a low tone.

My face scrunched as I took a little sip from my can. Apple flavor yeah but still with that slight sting.

I couldn't answer him. I was angry at him. But then again I'm not. If that makes any sense.

"Sophie was trying to stop me from leaving. She got so annoying. Everytime I tell her we should go 'cause you're waiting for me, she'd start pulling on a tantrum. I had to escape. God! Precious gem my ass..."

He started ranting.

I couldn't help but smile. Call me evil or whatever but hearing him ranting about his girlfriend made me really really really happy.

Or it could probably just be the beer.