"How did the talk go?" Kyle asked as he approached Amanda, who had just ended the call.
"I... told her that I'm staying here with you," Amanda replied quietly.
Kyle blinked in surprise.
"You told her it was me?" He had honestly expected her to use the name of one of her female friends instead.
Amanda looked up at him and asked, "Is there a problem with that?"
Kyle rubbed the back of his head.
"No... it's just..." He hesitated before continuing. "Amanda, didn't your mother mind you staying with me when I haven't even officially introduced myself to her and your father yet?"
Amanda briefly glanced away.
"She was upset, but I somehow managed to convince her."
Kyle let out a slow sigh and stepped closer.
Gently cupping her cheeks, he looked into her eyes and spoke in a warm voice.
"Because of me, you've had to lie to your parents so many times and get scolded because of it. I feel bad, Amanda. I really do."
His fingers curled slightly against her skin before he continued.
