Malory and Kyle must participate in the annual April Fest production as the leading co-stars. If they can cooperate by the end of the production, their long records of uncivilized behaviour towards each other will be forgotten. 
Malory and Kyle attempt to cooperate, grabbing the opportunity to make a positive impact on their own future. In the process, they become entangled in the chaos of the other’s personal life. Malory learns of Kyle’s disturbing reality, and Kyle learns of Malory’s scarring past. Can these two brilliant but messy teens learn to rely on each other in the face of their silent battles?

Between The Lines

 He drops into the seat beside me while Ron sits beside Olivia. I don’t have to look at them to know that they’re staring at Kyle and me like we’re some thriller climax just waiting to happen. 


 “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Davidson,” I say to remind him. “We’re cooperating for the play. I still think you’re a thick-headed twat.” 


 He clutches his chest, melodramatically. “I feel the love.” 


 Adrien spots us and walks over just as we begin to eat. Kyle stops smiling the minute he arrives. 


 “Hey!” he says, glancing between Olivia and I. 


 I smile at him while biting into my burger. “Hey, Adrien.” 


 I remember to keep myself guarded around him. He’s always seemed like a pretty shallow guy in my opinion –despite his story. 


 But after learning that he’d kept Kyle’s secret from us, I’ve become more guarded somehow... if that’s even possible. 


 Adrien switches his gaze between Kyle and me saying, “Should I… take a picture? The rivalry is having a peace offering lunch together!” 


 I manage a believable fake laugh. “Oh, that won’t be necessary. The peace talk was just about as much as I can deal with. I don’t need photo proof.” 


 “Oh, so you guys are actually getting along?” he asks, taken aback. 


 I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like Kyle and I internally high-five each other when he says this. We don’t have to look at each other to know that Adrien feels sort of defeated. 


 “Mmphmm!” I mumble, biting into my burger again. 


 Then Kyle has to go and spoil everything. He scoffs, looking up directly at Adrien. “Why? Does it bother you that we’re friends?” He tosses an arm over my shoulder and attempts to pull me in but I resist slightly. I grimace but I don’t resist the gesture. Kyle raises a brow at Adrien, smugly. I swallow my big bite and open my juice to drink a mouthful. 


 “No, not at all,” Adrien says, casually. Too casually. “Does it bother you that you have a bruise the size of your ego on your face?” 


 My juice flies out of my mouth and lands on the table in front of me. Ron jumps out of the way and Olivia almost gags at me. Kyle goes wide-eyed and his arm stiffens around my shoulder. Adrien stands up straighter and folds his arms over his chest, smirking. 


 “B-bruise on your face?” Ron asks, confused and worried. 


 “What are you talking about?” Olivia asks Adrien, puzzled. 


 Both Ron and Olivia turn to us, anticipating an explanation.


Because They Care [4]