Meet the Coach

@ Jinx...
Micheal headed home soon after. He wasn’t in the mood to go work out or hang out with one of the boys. It just didn’t seem worth it. He wasn’t sure anything was worth it at the moment. His father wasn’t home yet so he made himself dinner early so that he could lock himself away in his room and avoid his father. When he went to his room he found a small box, the gift he had gotten Kaylynn for their one month anniversary. He had planned to give it to her after the championship game. He sighed and pulled out his phone, sending Kaylynn a text. Hey I’m sorry, I have something for you. I can just leave it in your locker if you don’t want to see me he sent. He didn’t want to push her or anything. Micheal knew she needed time and he didn’t want to ruin his chances of getting back together.

-

Bailey kissed Royce back eagerly. She loved how in control he was. Every movement was calculated and precise. Every movement sending waves of pleasure over her. Her tongue playfully flicked against his as they kissed. Bailey lifted up her hips and helped Royce pull her jeans off. She let out a moan as he rubbed against her. Her hands moved down his side and around onto his chest. Her fingers touching the outline of his abs as a smirk spread across her face.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn looked at her phone and sighed. She didn't think she would have to spell it out for him. Right now they weren't in a relationship. She bit her lip and sent back a text. Please Micheal, please just keep it. She didn't want to see him in an intimate setting like him giving her something she was sure wasn't homework. She also didn't want to see whatever he had gotten her. It was too thoughtful she already knew. Kaylynn turned off her phone trying to get some sleep as she snuggled into his sweater.

In the morning she got up and got ready. She knew she should give him his sweater back but she couldn't let go yet. Every day that week went about the same. She would cray after gym and ignore him during science then she could move on with the day. She picked up running after school instead of before because had had so much free time. She would go to the studio everyday practicing then allowing herself a free dance. It was on Friday when Sam finally had enough of all the moping. Same went to Micheal at the end of the day. "She's there everyday around six. Maybe if you see her dance you will understand." she said and shook her head.

---

Royce grinned as she was left in her panties. He thrust his hips against hers hard so she could feel how hard he was and to ignite her body. He ran his hand up into her hair and pulled carefully so her head came back and he nipped at her neck. He sat back pulling off his shirt and looked down at her. "Gods you are so beautiful." he said and kissed her gently again. "I've got something for your cravings. Stay right there and close your eyes." he said grinning. He got up. Once she closed her eyes he went into his closet and grinned. He came back taking her hands and putting them together starting to tie them together.

@ Jinx...
Micheal sighed as he looked down at his phone and Kaylynn’s text. He didn’t want to keep this memento. He didn’t need reminders of this, whatever it was. Micheal acted different during the week. He was able to put on his persona occasionally. But a lot of the time it seemed like he had this dark cloud hanging over him. Like he was deep in thought. Micheal had grabbed his backpack and was heading to his car when Sam approached him. He raised an eyebrow. “Why are you helping me?” He asked quietly. Micheal shoved his hands into his pocket. “Maybe I’ll understand? Sam, shit happened to me too. Maybe she needs to know how I feel.” He said and swallowed hard. “I’ll see if I can go.” He murmured before walking past her and to his car. Micheal went to the gym for the afternoon. When he was done he checked the time 5:30. He decided to head to the dance studio, not wanting to go home quite yet. He parked towards the back so she wouldn’t see his car. Micheal grabbed one of his hoodies from the back and pulled it on, he pulled the hood over his head and went inside. He sat down where he usually did and looked out at the dance floor.

-

Bailey let out a moan as Royce thrust against her. She loved his body and how hard he was for her. “Damn you’re hard.” She purred her fingers tugging at his hair. Bailey tilted her head to give him more access to her neck and her body. Bailey kissed Royce again and smiled. She raised an eyebrow. “My cravings?” She asked and laughed but nodded. “Okay.” Bailey closed her eyes and waited for Royce to return. She felt him fiddling with her hands and she was confused. She became stressed out as she realized what he was doing. Bailey’s eyes snapped open and she looked up at her hands. “What? Royce no!” She said and tugged her hands away from him.

@ BadStreetBoys
Sam shrugged. "Your both miserable and not talking to each other it's stupid." She said. She rolled her eyes as he got defensive. "And she doesn't have a right to be upset because you where hurt more? She isn't blaming you Micheal she's upset but not with you. That's part of the problem. She won't talk to me about it but you and I both know she has had trust issues since the start and that is not about you at all. We all saw you prove yourself to her. Maybe she does need to know how you feel but a relationship isn't all about just one person so don't make it that way. Talk... listen and work it out. For all our sakes." Sam said.

Kaylynn was right on time just setting up her music and stretching. She sighed as she listened to the music. She stood after a bit and her body flowed to the music. She let the melody sway her. She was able to stretch and move in the most elegant and unhumanly ways.

---

Royce felt her stiffen then pull away. She told him no and he frowned. "I'm sorry Bailey." He said and looked her over. He tossed the rope aside. "I didn't mean to scare you." She said and moved off of her really confused. Was her notes just sexy talk then? Where they her notes? She never signed them so how would he know. He just assumed. He sat next to her and kissed her hands one after the other. "I won't do that again." He promised her. Royce caressed her cheek. He was pretty sure the mood was killed but he was still hard as a rock.

@ Jinx...
Micheal folded his hands in his lap as he watched Kaylynn I dance. She moved so easily to the music. He had heard the song before. It was sort of sad, but also had a deeper meaning to it. He bit his lip, holding back tears as he watched. She was so talented, especially when there were so many raw emotions flowing through her. Micheal hoped she didn’t notice him. He was all of a sudden regretting this. Maybe he shouldn’t have come. She probably didn’t want him here, in this sacred place of hers. Micheal was about to leave when Kaylynn seemed to slow to a stop. He stood up and leaned against the wall, his eyes on her. He clapped quietly.

-

Bailey sat up as Royce got off of her. She suddenly felt much more vulnerable, even more so than their first time. she pulled the blanket from his bed up and around her naked body. Her head cloudy as she processed what was going on. Her eyes shifted to Royce abs she gave him a weak smile. He seemed genuinely apologetic. She leaned her face into his hand and took a few small breaths before her eyes met his. “It’s okay.” She murmured and kissed his cheek.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn spun her eyes landing on Micheal. She blushed. "Micheal." She gasped softly. She walked over turning off her music. She bit her lip as the silence seemed to get louder with each moment. She walked over towards him and rubbed her hands on her pants. She looked up at him and then down. "What's going on?" She asked him. She didn't know why he was here but she was kinda glad he was. He filled the room. Even though it was hard to look at him she didn't feel quite so alone with him here. "H-how are you?" She asked hesitantly.

---

Royce gently put his arm around her and kissed her head. He didn't know what to say now. He rested his head against hers. "You wanna watch a movie while we wait for pizza?" He asked her and leaned over grabbing her bra. He handed it to her before grabbing her shirt as well. He handed it to her and smiled softly at her. He knew she was needing him to be gentle and understanding. He would do so happily. Anything she needed. He felt like crap having scared her.

@ Jinx...
Micheal gave a weak smile as Kaylynn noticed him. He pulled his hoodie off and waved slightly, his eyes shifting down to his feet. “I wanted to see you. Check up on you.” He murmured and shoved his hands into his pockets. Micheal took a deep breath and looked at Kaylynn. He wanted to show her he still loved her, not that he was hiding from her. “I’m okay, I’ve missed you a lot.” Micheal reached out and touched her arm gently. “I love you and I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with this pain too. I’m not giving up on us though because I know what happened and I know I love you.” Micheal reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small box. “You said to keep it. But I can’t keep it, especially if you don’t want me back.” He handed it over to her. Inside was a small locket necklace with a picture of them from the homecoming dance on one side, and a goofy selfie on the other.

-

Bailey gave Royce a weak smile and began to put her clothes back on as Royce handed them to her. “Yea sure.” She whispered. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom, why don’t you pick out a movie while I’m gone?” She said. Bailey leaned over and kissed his cheek before she stepped out of the room and went to the bathroom. Bailey locked the door behind her. She looked in the mirror and frowned slightly, closing her eyes. She was shivering and nervous. She don’t get why Royce would just try that all of a sudden. Bailey sent a text to Brett asking if he was busy later, hoping they could hang out. Bailey composed herself before she came out and went to find Royce.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn blushed and smiled softly at him. "I'm okay." she said and watched him fidget and then hide his hands to keep himself still. Kaylynn looked up at him. She missed him too but she didn't say it. He told her he loved her and she smiled softly at him. She shook her head as he apologized. She didn't want him to feel sorry for this. It wasn't his fault. She was glad he wasn't giving up because that was the last thing she wanted. She looked at the box and blushed. "Micheal." she said softly and took it from him. It wasn't about wanting him back or not. She wished she could explain it. It took time for her to figure out her emotions and how to explain them. If she tried to soon it came out all wrong. She tucked her hair behind her ear and opened the box. She pulled out the oval locket with its little star on the front and ran her thumb over it smiling softly. She opened it and let out a little sound smiling sadly at it. She loved it. She closed the locket. "It's beautiful. It's perfect Micheal." she said and stepped forward wrapping her arms around him and burying her head in his chest. She breathed him in just letting herself have a moment. She stepped back and pulled her hair to one side. She put the locket on and smiled at it running her thumb over it again. She bit her lip gently and looked back at Micheal. She knew she owed him an explanation at least. "Do you mind... do you feel up to a walk?" she asked him.

---

Royce nodded. "Alright." he said softly. He felt like he had really messed up and he wasn't sure she was going to let him fix it. Royce went out of his room and down to the theater room. He had put on a comedy. He just wanted to put a smile back on her face. He went to the kitchen and made some popcorn pulling out some drinks. He stood there at the counter his shoulders slumped and he rubbed his neck. None of this made sense. He ran a hand through his hair then pinched his nose. He had done everything tight and sill managed to screw up. It really messed with something inside of him. He heard Bailey come down the stairs and straightened smiling over at her. "Pick a drink. The popcorn will be done in a sec." he said and grinned.

@ Jinx...
Micheal watched Kaylynn as they stood together. He tried his best to read her. He could tell behind her smile and behind her eyes she was just as sad and hurt as he was. He hated it. The last thing he wanted was for Kaylynn to be hurt. He smiled, a genuine smile, when she accepted the locket. It was a good sign. When she put it on he smiled again, blushing. Micheal was surprised when he felt her arms around him, but he didn’t hesitate to hug her back. His arms holding Kaylynn close and protectively. He didn’t want to let go, afraid of losing her again. When she pulled away his face saddened. “A walk? Of course.” He murmured. Micheal wanted to offer his hand snd hold hers as they walked but he wasn’t sure if it was going to far at this point.

-

Bailey gave Royce a small smile and nodded. “Sounds good.” She told him and looked in the fridge. She picked out a drink and put it in the cup holder in the couch. Bailey checked her phone, Brett wasn’t busy so she could go see him if she wanted he had said. She slid her phone away and moved back to the couch to sit down after the popcorn was ready. “After the movie and pizza I gotta head home, my dad messaged me and said he needs help.” She said and looked over at Royce, she hoped he wouldn’t be mad but she wasn’t sure how else to get out of the situation and calm down.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn nodded and grabbed her music and shoved it in her bag. She changed her shoes into her street shoes. Pulling her bag over her shoulder she walked out with Micheal locking up behind her. The owner knew her well and trusted her to take care of things. Kaylynn looked down each side of the road and set out down one side. She held the strap to her bag in both hands. How did she start? "I take a long time to figure out how I feel and if I try to rush it then it comes out wrong. I don't want it to come out wrong with you Micheal." she looked up at him. "I don't want to be angry when this wasn't your fault either." she said. She knew that she believed him. It was something about Micheal that made her believe him against everything in her telling her not to. Kaylynn bit her lip looking back at the ground. "So I don't know how I'm feeling why I have so many trust issues, why every time I look at you I see..." she shook her head frowning. She looked back at him. "I thought you should know that's what I am going through." She looked at the ground. "So right now I don't think I can be your girlfriend but... can we still be friends? When I'm better can we try again?" she asked him looking up at him. She hoped he didn't want it all or nothing. She missed him being around. She missed talking to him but the thought of kissing him or having sex set her on edge. Friendship was a clear boundary that they could cross when she wasn't feeling like this. "I just miss you. I miss talking to you and being around you. So I want to be friends. for now." she said.

---

Royce nodded as she said her dad needed her and frowned. "Yeah of course. I really appreciate you coming over." he said. Royce sat back and started the movie. When the pizza came he stepped out of the room and paid for it bringing it into Bailey with napkins and plates. He smiled and handed her the box. "First pick." he said with a small smile. He ran a hand through his hair. He sat down. Once they had their pizza and settled back down he watched the movie for a moment then looked back at Bailey watching her. He had really screwed up and he didn't know how to fix it.

@ Jinx...
Micheal waited with Kaylynn as she locked up, quickly falling in step with her as they walked. He kept his hands in his pockets and his head down as they walked. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that this wasn’t going to end well. He closed his eyes tightly for a few seconds snd when he opened them he was ready for this conversation. Micheal was patient and listened carefully. He made sure to wait before speaking. He wanted Kaylynn to get everything out and him interrupting wouldn’t help. “I don’t know.” He said honestly and held his breath. He understood where she was coming from. But he didn’t know how he could be just friends with someone he loved. How he could just be there and not hold her or kiss her. Micheal rubbed the back of his neck. “I just. I don’t know Kay.” He murmured. “I feel like it would hurt to much. Being with you and not being able to call you my girl, it would hurt. I already wanna cry every day after class with you. I can’t imagine how much worse it’ll be if we are actively hanging it out.” He said and took a deep breath. “I love you snd I’d do anything to prove I’m not lying and prove I love you. I miss you too.”

-

Bailey smiled softly snd looked at both of the personal pizzas before choosing one for herself. She felt bad for making Royce feel bad and decided to make it up to him, at least slightly. She slid over on the couch and leaned into him. She wanted Royce to know she wasn’t just giving up on him for one mistake. Even if she was a bit shaken, she didn’t just want to throw anything away. Bailey rested her head on his shoulder and began to eat the pizza and the popcorn. She wasn’t very hungry so she didn’t eat much. Bailey laughed when she needed to at the movie. After it ended snd they had eaten she looked up at Royce. “I’ll text you when I can, Okay?” She told him. Bailey kissed Royce’s cheek and smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Bailey told him before hurrying out to her truck. She texted Brett that she was on her way over.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn felt her heart squeeze as he started. He didn't know? She looked down. Which part didn't he know, if they could be friends or start again? She looked up at him stopping listening to him as he continued. She bit her bottom lip and nodded before looking back down not wanting him to see every emotion running over her face at the moment. She felt her belly flip as he said he wanted to call her his girl. She thought there was something so sexy about that. She hated that being in the same room with her made him want to cry. She bit her lip again. She looked up at him and smiled softly as he said he loved her but then he kept speaking and she frowned. She felt like she had failed him. "No Micheal... you don't have to prove anything to me." she said and stepped closer to him. She placed her hand on his chest. "I believe you. I know that much. And I love you too. I just..." she dropped her hand from him wanting so badly to hug him to her and not let go to protect them from the things that would drive them apart. "I don't want you to lean into me and I flinch away because I haven't felt with the things in my head. I don't want to be in a relationship and not be able to make love to you at the right time because I keep seeing some other girl with you." she stepped back and turned rubbing her head. "I'm sorry Micheal I'm just not ready. I want to but I'm not ready." she said looking down hoping he understood her. She looked back at him. "I can't ask you to wait for me it's not fair but if you want too and the time is right would you want to still try again or is that too painful too?" she asked him.

---

Royce smiled as she snuggled into him. He kissed her head and out his arm around her before starting to eat his pizza as well. He smiled softly hearing her laugh at the movie. He relaxed. Once the movie was over he nodded. "Yeah alright." he stood and walked her out. He smiled as she kissed his cheek understanding best he could that, was all she gave him. He had really freaked her out. "Yeah." he nodded. "Bye Bay." He said and watched her get in her truck. He waved gently and then closed the door and locked it behind him. He sighed and rubbed his neck. Well shit now what was he suppose to do? Royce cleaned up the theater room. Once he was done he got ready for bed and sat on his bed studying something that didn't involve math for a while.

@ Jinx...
Micheal watched Kaylynn, trying to gauge her reactions to his words. This whole situation was so difficult to understand and process. He really thought it would just be easier to stick with one night stands again. At least that way he had no connections and couldn’t be hurt. That way he didn’t have to put this draining effort in. He felt Kaylynn’s hand in his chest and closed his eyes. He put his hand over hers, holding it to his chest. “I wanna try again, of course. I just told you I love you.” He said and took a few deep breaths. Micheal opened his eyes locking with hers and a small smile. “I can’t just let you go.” He said. Micheal leaned down and rested his head against hers. “I’ll wait, and if I ever get to the point I feel liek I can’t I’ll tell you. But i don’t see that point coming anytime soon.”

-

Bailey stopped at Brett’s house, hurrying inside. The two headed to his room to hang out as they usually did. Bailey would sit in his chair and he on his bed as they spoke back and forth across the room. She explained the situation to Brett, in as few details as possible. She didn’t want anyone knowing the details of her and Royce’s relationship. Not even her best friend. She didn’t really want advise or words from Brett. She just wanted to rant and get this off her chest. She had no idea how to feel or what to do, but she knew Brett wouldn’t have any ideas either. He didn’t seem to like Royce so his only idea would probably be to break up anyways.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn bit her lip and nodded. She was glad he would want to try again. She looked up at him blinking back tears her eyes glassy at his words. She ran her other hand up into his hair as his forehead pressed to hers. She felt the ache in her chest. She didn't want to let him go either. She nodded as he told her he would tell her is he couldn't wait. She understood and hoped he would be able to wait. She hoped it didn't take too long but sometimes it just clicked then she knew. She moved into his arms again holding him tight like if she left go she was going to fall apart. Her chest ached and her throat felt tight as the tears threatened to fall. She buried her face into his chest her fingers gripping his shirt. She stayed like that for what seemed like a long time until the ache lessened and the tightness in her throat lessened. She looked up at Micheal. "I should go back." she said. She had routines to run through and posses to practice. She needed to keep her mind and body busy.

---

The next day Royce got to school. He stopped at his locker frowning as he saw another note. He read it carefully looking at the drawing. He didn't know she drew. He thought she would have brought that up when they talked about his drawing. He put it in his backpack and headed to class. Maybe it was best if he gave Bailey a little space. He needed to think too. He needed to understand what happened last night. Royce was doing fine until some guy got in Royce's way. "How's that ass with the piece you brought to homecoming Royce? She got you whipped?" Royce felt the adrenaline sink in and his vision went red. He turned and dropped his bag. 'You want to say that again?" he said to the boy who smirked. Royce never had a weak spot before and now that he did people where going to use it to get back to him. The boy went to open his mouth again and Royce charged.

@ Jinx...
Micheal’s arms instinctively wrapped around Kaylynn and held her close. He rested his head atop hers and closed his eyes. He wanted to savor the moment and keep it in his memory forever. He didn’t know when the next moment like this would be so he wanted to make sure he appreciated this one. When she pulled away, Micheal grabbed Kaylynn’s hands. “Okay.” He said softly. “I love you.” Micheal leaned down and kissed her forehead before he let go and turned away. He didn’t want kaylynn to see his emotions, he had barely felt like he could show her them and now all that progress was gone. He began to walk away, turning and waving before he made his way to his car.

-

Bailey was at her locker with Brett when she decided to go find Royce, she, and Brett, made their was to where his locker was. She paused a few steps down the hall watching as he talked to some underclass man. Bailey saw Royce charge and frowned. She quickly handed her stuff to Brett and went over she grabbed Royce and pushed him away, as well as pushing the other boy away from him. “Seriously Royce? What the hell has gotten into you?” She said, frustration clear on her face. Bailey looked over and saw a teacher on their way over. “I’m not doing this again.” She said and shook her head. “Maybe we need a break Royce.” She told him and moved back to Brett, she grabbed her things and hurried off not wanting to be involved with whatever punishment would be thrown onto the two boys.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn looked at his hand squeezing it gently. His words made her want to stay made her eyes try tearing up but she blinked quickly and she nodded. "I love you too." she said never wanting to regret not saying it back. She frowned as his hand left hers. She didn't get the butterflies when he leaned in kissing her head. She didn't understand why she was so upset when nothing happened that was what he wanted. It was something that happened to him and just because Rachel decided to torcher Kaylynn with it didn't make it Royce's fault but she wanted to get that spark back and she couldn't do that from where they left off. She didn't know how they would do it apart but she understood it was too painful. She would have to figure it out on her own. Kaylynn moved back to the studio and put her music back on before going through her sets and working on her posses.

---

Royce had just grabbed the guy when Bailey shoved him apart. He hadn't even done anything yet. He looked down at her frowning not understanding why she wouldn't ask what happened. It was like she already assumed he was the bad guy. He looked up at the teacher down the hall and shook his head stepping back and frowned as she spoke again. He turned as she hurried away. "Bailey." he called and his heart ached. She went to Brett and Royce growled. She had fucking done it. She played the player and won. He ran his hand through his hair. Fuck it. He grabbed his bag shoving it in his locker taking out the note and his keys. He walked out of school not giving a crap who saw. He got in his car and drove home. He tossed the notes with the others looking at them and shoving them off his desk. He yelled and looked around the empty room in the empty house and couldn't think of a damn thing he could do. He shoved a hand through his hair and got int he car. He couldn't believe what he was about to do but it was either this or something extremely stupid. Royce walked on to the Foster property looking for Beau. He saw him loading hay and he grabbed some gloves. He walked over picking up a bale. Beau stopped and Royce frowned. "I'm sorry Sir but I didn't know where to go." he said. "Can I just help here for a bit. I'll go before school is out..." he said swallowing and looking angry and sad all at once.

@ Jinx...
Micheal left and headed home. He didn’t know what to do anymore.

Through the week Micheal had shown up to school for a full day only once. The rest he would be in, then gone all of a sudden. It was concerning teachers and his friends, all who said he wasn’t acting himself. When Micheal wasn’t home or at school he was at the gym. He had been going three times a day just to avoid being home. When he was home, Micheal was purposely picking fights with his father. He would instigate screaming matches and push every button he knew how to until his father pushed back, got in his face, abs took out his anger on him. He didn’t care. He just wanted to feel something. The pain of gains from the gym and fighting was at least something. On Monday morning Micheal pulled up to school. He wore large sunglasses and his football hoodie was on, the hood pulled up over his head. He wore dark black jeans as he walked through the hall. He stood tall and confident, though rather than the usual outgoing man, he was mysterious and closed off.

-

Bailey and Brett began to walk towards class and she saw Royce leaving. She didn’t get what had gotten into him in the last few days. He was just acting off, snd she didn’t like it. That wasn’t Royce. That wasn’t her boyfriend, was he even her boyfriend anymore? She went to class hoping to forget and let him cool off and they could talk later.

Beau looked over at Royce, raising an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be at school son?” He asked as he took another hay bale and tossed it. Beau nodded and shut his mouth. He understood what Royce was saying. Sometimes you just had a bad day and needed to get things out snd a great way to do that was hard work. “Okay.” He said and nodded. Beau was sure Royce didn’t want to talk, and if he wanted to he knew the boy would. For now, Beau let the two men work in peace and quiet together.

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn frowned every time she saw Micheal through the past week. He was not himself. She didn't understand what was happening to him. She knew he was upset but this was a big change. Finally Sam talked to Kaylynn over the weekend. "You need to talk to him." she said. Braydon had been telling her his concerns so she told Kaylynn them. Kaylynn nodded knowing if anyone could reach him it was her. She bit her lip wondering if this was more than just their breakup or break, whatever it was. Was this him trying to cope with what Rachel did to him? She bit her lip watching him walk through school on Monday and couldn't figure out how to approach him. So when lunch came around she moved out to his car and texted him. Can we talk? I'm at your car. She knew he couldn't leave without his car and hopefully she could get him to talk if they where alone. She ate her sandwich while she waited for him picking it apart. Damn she missed him and now she was also worried about him and what it was going to take to get him to open back up to her. She knew the distance hurt him and she felt terrible about it.

---

Royce nodded at his question. "Yes Sir." he said because he should be but he couldn't be. When Beau agreed to let him stay and work he was so very thankful. He worked a lone side Beau silently for most the day only asking questions on how to do something new or why it was done that way. It was after lunch when he was sitting with Beau on the porch drinking water that he spoke. "Bailey and I had a fight..." he said and rubbed his neck. "I think I screwed up but I didn't mean to." he said looking at the ground. "I don't know how to fix it. She's shut me out." he said. He knew Bailey was his daughter but Royce had no one else to talk to and hoped even if it was bias that he could get some kind of an answer on what to do.

@ Jinx...
Micheal was down near the basement of the school when he got Kaylynn’s text. He sighed. He didn’t want to text back or talk. He wanted to stay away from people. He wanted to graduate and leave and become a new person that no one knew. Be right there He sent and made his way out to his car. He kept his shades and his hood up and saw Kaylynn leaning against his car. Micheal pulled his keys from his pocket and unlocked the car. He moved around to the drivers seat and got in. He waited for her to get in. “Let’s get lunch.” He said plainly, starting the car and beginning to drive. He knew she would object to him taking them off campus, but he was going to anyway. “What do you want to talk about?” He asked. Micheal reached over and opened his glove box. He grabbed a small box of toothpicks, taking one out. He slid it into his mouth as he drove.

-

Beau worked with Royce till it was time for his lunch break, he headed inside and told his wife to make a second sandwich explaining the situation. He came back out and handed the sandwich and water to Royce, sitting across from him on the porch. “I figured as much.” He said and shrugged. “You’re a young man, I was one too before. I know what it looks like when you upset the missus.” He told him. “I don’t need to know what happened. But I can tell you Bailey is a stubborn young woman. She’ll hold a grudge. But I think she really likes you, so I think she will get over whatever it is. Just give her time and space, she will reach out to you. If you bug her beforehand you’ll only push her away.” He said and finished his sandwich. He wiped his hands off on his pants. “So yea I wouldn’t be here by the time she arrives. But give her space. If you really need to reach out be brief and don’t bring up whatever you did. And even if you think you’re right, apologize when the time comes. Keep the peace. Happy wife happy lide.” He said and laughed. “Come on let’s work, get your mind off of it.”

@ BadStreetBoys
Kaylynn looked up as she heard Micheal unlock the door. She tilted her head. He didn't say anything. She bit her lip and got in. She nodded as he suggested lunch. "Okay." she said and buckled in watching him. She frowned as he moved in the car like he couldn't sit still. "I'm worried about you." she said. "I know you're upset and it's not just because of me. I think you're upset because of what Rachel did. And I think you're angry with me because you feel like I am punishing you for something that wasn't your fault. I think you feel like you have no one to talk to, not that you would know what to say if you did. I know that I asked for time but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be there for you if you need me." she said reaching over to touch him then stopped. "Micheal." she was terrible with small talk. She bit her lip. She wanted to tell him to look at her, to take off those ridiculous glasses. "I'm not sure you'll even talk to me honestly right now. But if you say you're fine I'll know your lying." she said and bit her lip. They pulled into the food place and she put her hand on his thigh. "Look at me." she said. "I want to see your face when I say this part." she said. She wasn't sure if he would take the glasses of but once he parked she looked at him watching his mouth. "I don't want time anymore but I think we need to talk more. I can't start from where we left it. I need you Micheal and I think you need me too." she said bitting her lip. "So talk to me."

---

Royce listened and rubbed his neck. He had said he was sorry for the first thing that upset her but she hadn't given him time for the second. He nodded hoping she would give him the opportunity to fix this again. He didn't know what kind of space she needed. He nodded and smiled softly at his words. "Right. Thank you." he said and then stood to go work with him. He was grateful for the hard work, even the little tasks. They got most the work done with Royce knew he needed to go since school was almost out. He cleaned up whatever he was doing. "Thank you Mr. Foster." he said and dusted off before getting in his truck and heading home. He walked in and looked around with a sigh. He wished there was more he could do. But he guessed for now he would study. Anything but science though. It would be too close to Bailey. He headed up to his room and picked up his mess shoving the letters int he bottom of the closet before grabbing his books and working on studying for this test that would set him free from this lonely cage.