McKinnon Home

[Porschia]

"Well, it's a good thing you do like me," said Porschia, her heart beating quickly at the way Harry was looking at her. "And yeah, I'm okay. My ankle is still rather weak so any missteps and I'll bust my butt."

She didn't want to leave his arms. There was something so safe and reassuring about them.

"I guess, we'll have to finish the tour later. Dinner time."

[Harry]

Harry released her, although reluctantly, and together they walked into the dining room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw a familiar redhead sitting next to his sister.

"Octavia?" Harry questioned.

[Porschia]

Porschia paused, looking at the redhead at the table, next to Amber and then shifted her eyes to Harry. Wanting to break the awkwardness, she smiled and looked toward Ms. McKinnon. "It smells great in here. Thanks for letting me stay for dinner."

[Octavia]

She lifted a slender hand in greeting, her lips parted in a mischievous grin before it changed to a scowl. "Who told you to hang up on me, jerk? I wasn't done talking."

Octavia noticed another girl standing next to Harry and raised a brow.

[Harry]

Mrs. McKinnon smiled at Porschia before gesturing for her to sit down. "It's no problem, sweetheart. I love to cook."

Harry laughed. "I told you I would call you back, didn't I? Who told you to come all the way over here?" He followed her eyes to Porschia. "Oh, Porschia, this uninvited guest it Octavia, one of my friends from Covington. And this is Porschia."

Amber leaned over to whisper in Octavia's ear. "She's a senior at Hech. Really popular and rich."

[Porschia]

Porschia felt so comfortable and at home at the McKinnons, even for her first visit. It was just so homely, something she rarely experienced with her family always away and rarely spending time together. Before walking over to sit down, she looked at Octavia and smiled in a friendly manner.

"Nice to meet you Octavia." She then sat down next to Ms. McKinnon, draping a napkin over her lap.

[Octavia]

Octavia eyed the high school student openly before clearing her throat and turning to Harry. "So did you guys ever go to the beach? I know of bunch of people were going...."

"They bailed on me at the last second," Harry made a face as he ate. "All of them went to Mexico to get drunk or whatever."

Harry's mom, who was standing over her son, nudged him with her hip and pulled off her apron. "You kids eat. I'll wait till my husband gets back. Enjoy the food."

Octavia watched Mrs. McKinnon walk away with a smile. "She's so domestic. I swear, I've never seen my mother do anything in the kitchen."

[Porschia]

Porschia wondered why Octavia was looking at her so intently but she was going to ignore it. The new Porschia is not going to start trouble; to revert to her catty ways.

Mine either. I'm lucky if I get to see my mom a few times out of the month, she thought but cared not to share that. Why ruin the good time she was having with Harry?

"Your mom is way cool Harry. I think I might come and visit more often." She cut into her food and then looked up at Amber.

"Hey Amber, are you doing anything later? If not, want to come to the mall with me?"

[Harry]

Harry smiled. "Thanks. That means a lot, Porschia."

"Ummm," the younger girl blinked, looking bakc and forth between Porschia and Octavia. "Tavia was going to take me shopping, too. But we can all just go together, if you don't mind?"

"I don't mind," Octavia said evenly. "Not at all."

[Porschia]

Porschia's eyes glittered as she looked at Harry when he responded to her. She could feel her heart pick-up its pace and she kept thinking how silly she was acting suddenly, especially around Harry.

"I don't mind either. The more the merrier," she chimed in, tearing her gaze from Harry.

[Harry]

Harry and Porschia arrived at the McKinnon residence in minutes. They left the car and stood on the porch, where Harry took his time unlocking the front door.

"My folks might be asleep, but I know Amber's up. She asked me where I was just a few minutes ago," he spoke quietly.

[Porschia]

Porschia had only been over to Harry's house a few times but every time she went over, it always felt comfortable and like home. Maybe it was the quiet, small neighborhood or the quaint house but it felt so normal, it felt good; even at night.

Stepping onto the porch, she quietly stood behind Harry as he unlocked the door. She was very excited to be away from home, with Harry and even more so, happy to finally see Amber. It'd been way too long.

"We're going to have a great night, Amber and I,": she said in a whisper. "You know, on our way over here, I was thinking, maybe you and I could hit up the beach for a couple of days. School is not that far away!"

[Harry]

"Sure," he nodded as they stepped into the house. "Sounds goo to me."

[Porschia]

That's all Porschia needed. She was going to plan a romantic weekend at the beach for her and Harry. She wanted to spoil and pamper him so he knew how much he meant to her.

It was absolutely quiet in the house and the only light that sun was one from a room down the hall. Porschia quietly walked behind Harry and gently closed the door behind her.

"You weren't joking ... there's not a peep to be heard."

[Harry]

He laughed. "My parents were exhausted from our vacation, so they knocked out as soon as we got back. I guess Dad forgot about that thing he wanted me to do."

Venturing further into the house, Harry knocked on his sister's door. "Hey, kid. We're home."

Harry heard the shuffling of feet inside and laughed. "We're coming in, Amber." He opened the door to reveal Amber with her back turned to them, jumping around in silence.