His Name Is Kirby Jones

Kirby Jones got home that day from his first day at his new school, Heathway High.
“Grandma, Pops, I’m home!” Kirby threw his bag on the couch and smiled at their miniature Yorkshire terrier, Peaches.

“Hey Peaches, how’s my beautiful girl?” Kirby gushed, as he picked Peaches up and cuddled her, kissing her nose. It had to be said, that he adored this dog.

“Where’s Grandma?” he cooed, and chuckled as he received a blank stare back. Putting Peaches down, and watching her trot off into the kitchen.

“Grandma?” Kirby called cheerily, and when he went into the kitchen, he saw his Pops, sitting at the kitchen table, staring blankly at the table.

Michael Jones, more known as just Pops, was a seventy-two year old man, and to be point is Kirby’s role model, well use to be.

“Pops?” he called softly, in which Michael Jones turned to look at the stranger before him.

“Who are you?” he asked, fear in his voice. Kirby’s smile dropped and he sighed.

“I’m Kirby, Pops…your grandson.” He said kindly, and stepped closer.

“Grandson?” Michael repeats confusion in his voice. Kirby sighed sadly, and looked around, seeing that his Grandmother, Dora was nowhere to be found.

“Where’s Dora?” Kirby tried, and Michael blinked and returned his gaze back to the spot before.

Kirby turned around and went upstairs, in search for his grandmother. She wasn’t anywhere to be found.

Then, the door was heard and Kirby rushed down and saw Dora struggling with the groceries.

“Oh Kirby, there you are sweet….help me?” Dora said in her sweet, soft tone and Kirby did as he was told and helped take the bags. Dora petted Peaches, and walked into the kitchen and smiled at Michael.

Dora Jones has been married to her husband for fifty-two years, and she still loves him just as much as she did when she was 18 and first laid eyes on him. Dora had soft, white hair that was in a perm, and she had chocolate coloured eyes that Kirby had inherited from his mother, Dora’s daughter.

“Dora!” he announced, confusion still there.

“Yes Michael?” Dora said softly, as Kirby put the bags down and she instantly began to unpack.

“Do we have a Grandson?” he asked clearly, and Dora’s smile didn’t fade.

“Yes dear, we do. This is Kirby….he’s been living with us for quite a while now Michael.” Dora said softly.

“Oh yes, of course!” Michael exclaimed as if he just forgot something minor, like where his car keys were. Kirby helped Dora silently, and watched as Michael shuffled back into the living room, something about watching the News.

“Bad day?” Kirby asked knowingly, and Dora stopped what she was doing and looked at Kirby.

She put down the oranges she was carrying and patted Kirby’s left cheek, and he smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry that head of yours Kirby, everything is fine.” Dora assured, and Kirby nodded, wanting to desperately believe her.
--

“I want one!” Kennedy whined as Drew held the bread basket above Kennedy, too far for him to reach.

“Drew, stop teasing your brother” Marcus scolded as he ate another mouthful of the lasagne he made earlier.

“So Kenny, did Zoey kick that Trevor guy’s ass?” Tommy joked, and Kenny glared.

“He wasn’t at school today.” He mumbled, and Zoey patted his shoulder comfortingly.

“I’ll pick you sometime this week Kenny okay?” she assured him and Kennedy nodded sadly.

“So baby girl, how was school?” Marcus asked kindly to Zoey who sat to the right of him.
She shrugged.

“Normal.” She responded.

“Well I’m graduating next month” Drew announced happily, making everyone freeze.

“You’re…”

“Graduating.” Drew finished. Zoey beamed.

“That’s great Drew!” she cheered, and Marcus smiled proudly.

“Bro, that’s awesome!” Jonah complimented.

“Kudos” Tommy teased

“Congrats” Lucas said.

“Well done!” Kennedy shouted excitedly. Marcus looked at Drew.

“So…tell us more, I’m so proud Drew!” Marcus said warmly.

“I spoke to my counsellor today, and I’ve caught up enough to graduate. From June 15th, I’ll officially have a degree in Sports Science” Drew announced, and Zoey couldn’t resist getting up and hugging him and kissing his cheek.

“I’m so proud!” she said, and felt tears welling up.

“Aw Zoey, don’t cry!” he teased, and she laughed as she wiped tears away. This was a big deal with the whole of the Titian plan. Drew started college normally like everyone else, but just into his second year, his mother died unexpectedly. Drew was the only strong one in the family.

His father was a mess, unable to leave the house, his baby brother was screaming for his Mommy. Lucas was being even more anti-social, Jonah was acting out more than ever, and Tommy….well Tommy and Zoey were worst out of all of them.

Zoey and Tommy seemed to club together, to support one another when their Mom died. Tommy got a tattoo of their mother’s name on his shoulder, with an angel printed above it. Tommy refused to accept that their mother had died. Zoey, well Zoey just wasn’t Zoey anymore. This bright happy girl left and replaced her with this weak girl, who wouldn’t do anything. It was hell to get her to eat, sleep and do anything normal. Zoey almost got kicked out of school for not turning up, but thanks to Drew’s persuasion and tutoring over two summers, she got back up to standard.

To do all this, to keep the family alive, Drew sacrificed this place at college, a good college which was about an hour’s drive away. Drew gave it all up, and looked after everyone. When Drew returned, two years later, they told him he’d have to work harder than anybody and prove himself to get that degree.

And he did.

“This causes for celebration!” Marcus boomed, and Jonah smirked.

“Ice Cream?” he guessed, and Marcus smirked and nodded.

“Hell yeah!” Tommy cheered, and patted Drew’s shoulder, who looked incredible proud of himself, just like he deserved to be.
--

The next day at school, Zoey was in a great mood. She even had a skip in her step. At lunch, she sat in her usual place, and surprisingly, Kirby made his presence known again.

“Is it me…or did someone have sugar today?” he teased, and Zoey smirked as her shaking leg stopped.

“She’s happy” Elena announced, and Kirby gasped sarcastically.

“Oh my god, happy? Really….call the police!” he announced, and made Elena giggle, and
Zack chuckle, whereas Zoey frowned.

“Happiness isn’t illegal…” she mumbled, pouting slightly.

“You almost kicked me” Kirby teased and Zoey raised an eyebrow, before swiftly kicking Kirby in the leg, hard.

“Fuck!” he cursed, instantly rubbing his leg and glaring at Zoey.

“What was that for!” he asked loudly, and Zoey smiled.

“For ruining my buzz” she said nonchalantly and continued eating her carrot sticks.

“Bitch” he murmured, but they both gave easy smiles at one another, knowing no feelings were hurt.

“So, spoke to Ronnie today?” Elena couldn’t help but ask and Zoey looked at her, slightly shocked.

“No, why?” she asked confused.

“Oh nothing…you two seemed close…is all” she said lightly, and Zack started to choke on his drink, coughing and wheezing. Elena patted his back, and his cheeks turned red.

“You and Ronnie dating?” Kirby suddenly asked, and Zoey’s eyes widened.

“No! We’re just friends…” she insisted.

“Friends with benefits!” Elena squealed excitedly, and that’s when Zoey heard the ‘cough’ the ‘cough’ of Jonah Titian, and let’s just say she was in trouble.

Turning her head, as did Kirby, she saw her brother standing there, looking furious.

“Zoey, come with me…now.” He said sternly, and Zoey sighed, before turning back and glared at Elena, who mouthed ‘Sorry’ and gave a guilty look.

“I fucking hate you.” She whispered to Elena, before getting up and following her angry brother.

Once reaching his locker which was close to the cafeteria, Jonah glared at Zoey and pulled her to the side.

“What the fuck is this about you dating Ronnie?” he snipped, and Zoey sighed.

“We’re not dating…Elena was joking…” she argued.

“Joking…who’s laughing?” Jonah snapped, and Zoey rolled her eyes, which just angered her brother more.

“Don’t do that!” he snapped.

“Stop acting like this Jonah, you’re not usually this protective!” Zoey snapped angrily, and stepped away.

“I’ve always been protective, but after seeing you like that with Ronnie the other night….I obviously need to keep my eye on you!” Jonah argued back.

“Jonah, leave me alone…you’re starting to piss me off!” Zoey shouted.

“And you’re acting like a freaking whore with Ronnie!” he yelled back furiously, and Zoey stopped and stared at Jonah in shock.

Jonah seemed to realize he made a mistake, and felt himself go into shock.

“What did you just say?” she whispered in disbelief, Jonah stepped closer, in response
Zoey stepped back, and Jonah saw hurt on her face.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean – ” he started but Zoey held her hand up to stop him.

“Don’t wait for me after school, I’ll walk home.” She muttered, and pushed past him, going back to her friends. Elena noticed her face, and didn’t make a comment. Kirby and Zack shared looks, and couldn’t help but look at her in concern.
--

After school, Zoey waited till almost everybody left before leaving the main entrance and heading towards exiting the school grounds, she was about to put her ipod headphones in, when a voice stopped her.

“Need a ride?” it was familiar, rather sexy voice and Zoey’s stomach flipped in reaction to it.

Glancing to her left side, she saw Kirby was about to get in his car, parked close to the doors.

“Kirby, what you still doing here?” Zoey asked, confused and began to walk over.

“Maths teacher held me back for extra work…” Kirby complained and Zoey smiled slightly, as she noticed his nose crinkled up slightly, and his lips tugged upwards.

“What about you?” Kirby asked, and Zoey sighed and shrugged.

“Walking home…” she mumbled.

“Elena told me that your brother takes you home…” Kirby said, and Zoey nodded.

“We – ” Zoey paused before continuing “Got into a fight” she finished, and Kirby nodded understandingly.

“Well hop in, I’ll give you a ride home.” He said brightly, and Zoey gave him an uncertain look.

“I don’t know Kirby, haven’t you got to be home?” she asked, not wanting to put him out.

“Nope, in fact if my Pops found out I didn’t offer you a ride home, I’d be grounded.” He said with a light tone, and Zoey couldn’t help chuckle.

“Fine” she said in defeat and got in the car.

“Nice car” she commented at the classic car. A classic mustang 1965, in the brightest red you could possibly find.

“Thanks, I call her Red” he said, and Zoey gave a giggle.

“You named your car?” she asked in disbelief.

“Hey! Don’t mock, Red and I have been through hell and back….and I love this car!” he said enthused.

“I can tell” she teased, and Kirby smirked at her.

“Where did you even find this?” Zoey had to ask, it was rare to see such a classic car like this around in these parts.

“It’s my Pops, he’s had it for forty years and he and I fixed it up for my 17th birthday.” Kirby said proudly, but Zoey detected the sadness in his voice.

“Where am I going then?” Kirby asked swiftly, and Zoey told him the address.

“Pick a station, it better be good” Kirby joked, as he reserved, revving slightly. Zoey laughed as she felt her stomach drop again. She picked a station and pop-rock song blared out, making her mood brighten up.

“This okay?” she asked, and Kirby looked at her and his eyes seem to twinkle at her as he gave her a dazzling smile.

“It’s perfect” he said solemnly, and Zoey’s heart seemed to race and her smile brightened even more as her legs slowly melted.