Kat darted up the stairs. She curled her hair, draped a series of dainty gold necklaces around her neck and slipped on matching gold bracelets and earrings. Accessorizing her burnout clothes. A vast contrast from the bright neon accessories she wore at school and at preppy parties on the weekend.
She put on a light coat of makeup, just a bit of foundation and a dusting of blush.
She jogged down the stairs and shot around the living room, straightening up for Billy's arrival.
Sean and Dave were in a deep debate with one eye on her.
"Get the hell out of here, man!" Sean shouted from the kitchen. "I did not!"
Sean lumbered back into then living room, beer in hand, and plopped down onto the sofa, propping one leg up on the well-worn coffee table, with water rings from bottles and cans carelessly placed directly on the dark wood.
"You're full of crap," Dave laughed.
The two were debating whether or not Sean had taken one of Dave's cigarettes. Taking the cigarette wasn't the issue, it was whether or not Sean had smoked it. Sean liked to sneak a cigarette on occasion, but he always denied it. Dave liked to call him out for it just to push his buttons.
Kat stood nervously waiting for Billy. She lingered in living room, anxiously peaking out through the front screen door every now and again, but trying not to let herself appear too anxious. She knew that the boys were watching her every move. They were probably taking mental notes of her actions and not for good reasons.
Kat's heart fluttered as an older man in a black Mercedes pulled up outside the house. The moment it rolled to a stop, Billy hopped lithely out and began walking briskly towards the front door.
Kat took a step back and to the side of the sofa. She twirled a lock of her hair anxiously.
Billy knocked on the front door, and Steve jerked to his feet, marching into the kitchen. Kat sighed and her face frowned. Steve didn't even want to talk to Billy. Worst, he was making a blatant show of ignoring him. This was going to be harder than she thought.
Kat made her way over to the front door. She tried to quell the excitement that was causing her hands to shake. She was fighting to hold in her nervous excitement.
She knew that her older brothers were watching her every move, and if they caught any hint of how elated she was to be going out with Billy, they might try to put a stop to the two of them dating.
Kat smiled exuberantly, as she opened up the door, propping it open with one arm so that Billy could step inside. Billy returned her smile, as he entered.
His gorgeous eyes captured her heart once more. She felt her breath catch. Her heart pattered in her chest. She couldn't help but stare at his perfect blonde hair and crystal clear blue eyes.
Kat led Billy over to the boys sitting on the sofas where they were seated and waiting. Except for their deliberate silence, they acted as if no one had entered the house.
Kat uttered a quick silent prayer in her mind that the boys wouldn't give Billy a hard time.
Billy stood at the end of the couch and Kat poised herself beside Billy to introduce him to the boys.
"This is my brother, Sean," she said, flipping her palm in Sean's direction.
Sean opened his mouth a bit wider, and chewed obnoxiously on a wad of gum. He leaned back, looking Billy over, as if he was appraising him, then pulled down the bill of his baseball hat, shutting Billy out of his eyesight.
Kat twisted her hands together. Sean was being so immature. He was purposely trying to make Billy feel out of place.
But even if Sean didn't want Kat to date Billy, she knew that Steve could overrule him. Steve was going to be the one who had the final say, and he was out in the kitchen. No doubt he was monitoring the situation from there, making his judgments, and mulling it all over.
Kat bit her lip and moved on to Dave. She waved her hand in Dave's direction.
"This is Dave Daniels. Sean's best friend."
"Hi, I'm Billy."
Billy leaned over the coffee table, outstretching his hand to Dave.
Dave looked at Billy's outstretched hand without moving. He leaned back a little further. Dave tightened his arms across his chest and glared at Billy with a stony face.
Kat felt her stomach tighten. Both Dave and Sean were acting in obvious protest of Billy. They really weren't going to make this easy for her. Billy's never going to want to go out with her.
Billy dropped his hand, but Kat was proud to see that he kept a smile on his face, even if it did waver slightly. She was proud of him for not giving up or getting offended. She took a cue from him and didn't skip a beat, moving on to Miles.
"This is Miles," she said. "He's Scott's friend."
"I see you in the halls at school." Billy said hoping the connection might open up some acceptance. He stretched his hand out towards Miles, sitting on the opposite side of the coffee table.
Unlike his friends, Miles greeted Billy. He flipped his long brown hair to the side and gave a half smile. "Yeah," he greeted. "How you doing?"
"Good, thanks," Billy replied with some relief.
Miles extended a hand. Finally, an accepting handshake. Kat felt her stomach unclench and her shoulders relax. She should have known she could count on Miles. He wasn't the type to be petty and he always treated everyone fair.
Kat heard the faucet shut off in the kitchen. She turned her head around and leaned to the side, craning her neck to peer through the small dining room and into the kitchen.
She could see Steve rubbing a towel between his hands. He turned to the counter and laid the towel down.
Steve turned around and caught Kat staring at him. He started toward her and flicked his head up.
"Kat, go outside," he ordered.
She felt a quick jolt of nerves. She knew that she had to listen to Steve. He was her only hope of getting approval to date Billy. She didn't want to do anything to irritate or upset him, as fighting against him could make him put his foot down completely.
Kat smiled at Billy and she slipped her fingers into the palm of his hand. She gave him a reassuring squeeze. "I think Steve is going to talk to you," she murmured. "Just be yourself. It will be okay."
Billy nodded and gave her a wink. He seemed so self assured. He didn't seem the least bit intimidated. He was amazing. She felt herself blush.
Steve just to see what a good guy he was.
Before stepping outside, Kat made her way into the kitchen and shot Steve a serious look.
"Be nice." she said in a firm tone.
She stared into his hard brown eyes. They were cold and stern. Keeping his thoughts to himself, but she could sense he wasn't in the best of moods. He was in his serious 'dad' mode.
Kat set off outside. Her heart thumped in her chest. She paced the front walkway waiting for the front door to open.
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