Chapter 20: Dictionary

Chapter 20: Dictionary (Wattpad)

Sky took one look at me and almost flew to my side at once. I was staring agape at the mirror with a look of utter disbelief in my eyes. He shook me urgently. “What’s wrong? Do you feel ill or something?”

I just shook my head. Then played with the hem of the shirt I was wearing. 

Shirt.

Not the sundress that I wore to the Marquette. It’s a goddamned shirt. When I looked at Sky, I knew instantly that he knew what I was on about – just waiting for me to say it out loud. Probably from keeping himself look like the scapegoat, I though scathingly. I fixed him with a look that could’ve set an ice on fire. “How the fuck did this happen?” My eyes flashed while I continued. “Did you change my clothes?” 

Sky gulped.

I continued, “You did this while I was sleeping, didn’t you?” he put his palms forward. “I didn’t think you minded!” 

“So you stripped my clothes off?!” he looked extremely panicked. “I couldn’t just let you sleep in that dress – ”My face turned a violent shade of red and I stuttered. “You – you have no right – DAMN YOU!” then I sneezed right in front of his chest. I groaned as my head hurt unbearably. I pushed him off weakly with one hand and put my other hand on the side of my head. “I hate you so much.”

“Just yesterday you were having so much fun – ”

“I didn’t have this goddamned – ”

He interrupted me before I could go farther. That is really getting to me. If I could slice him, he would’ve been in pieces.

 

“Let me carry you.” 

Why does the world have to be so cruel to me? I feel like crying pathetically. This stupid cold and fever and Sky. I groaned even louder when he started to put his arm on the back of my knees and carried me. Under normal circumstances, it would be a fight to the death, but no. it has to be like this. I turned to Sky, 

“Do you want me to give you a dictionary, Sky? It could be useful.” He looked at me like I was starting to seriously lose my mind. Maybe he’s right. He opened his mouth to respond but I cut him off.

“You can look up the word ‘privacy’ and apply it to your daily life!” I said it like it was a cure to cancer. “Isn’t that terrific?” As he walked me out of the bedroom and started to the lay me down on the couch, he said to me, “You’re starting to become delusional, Ryne. You really should take a rest. I’ll go to the hotel clinic – ”

“No, don’t. Trust me. They’ll probably rape you in there.” I giggled. He only shook his head at me, though he was smiling. I sighed. “I was joking, Sky. Go get your beloved medicine.” I said, and then released a violent sneeze. His eyebrows knitted together and he felt my forehead.

“Please don’t tell me you have flu.”


           I had flu. When Sky found out, he looked like the weight of the world has been put in his shoulders. I looked at him, puzzled. “Sky, its flu. Not leukemia. Relax.” then I coughed. “Don’t talk. Just stay here and tell me what you want. Ice cream? Movie?”

I was placed on the couch still, but now my head was raised on the armrest and I had my hair fanned out around me away from my face and I held my blanket around me. Rather the only blanket here. What Sky was saying and in the way he’s acting made me think what kind of person the man must be – the ‘he’ guy. He must be so terrifying if I wasn’t even allowed a flu. 

“No thanks.” then I sneezed. 

“I feel so useless, just sitting here. Do you want to watch the television or something?” he insisted.

I just sighed. “Fine.” He grabbed the remote control then and said, “What channel?” 

“That one’s nice.” 

He looked at me. “The news is nice?”

“Oh. Just find a channel where they play some movie.” I quickly said. As he switched the channels, I noticed something different in his persona today. Or, more likely his aura. He settled on the movie Pride and Prejudice, the one with Keira Knightley. I watched this film a gazillion times so I slowly lost interest just when Elizabeth’s sister got sick. I looked at Sky. He was looking at the pad of tablets the nurse recommended and placed it on the coffee table with a pitcher and a single glass. I opened my mouth to get his attention, but what came up was a sneeze. I groaned and let my head relax on the arm of the couch.

Sky sat at the foot of the couch and felt my forehead again. “Your fever’s not going down. Drink the tablet every four hours okay?”

“You said that seven times already.” 

“I take my job seriously, sis.” he said, smiling. “Uhhh…” was my awesome response. I tried again and succeeded in saying, “I’m still getting the hang of the ‘not talk to each other thing.’ Since I met you, you’re like an unstoppable force of nature that does nothing but annoy me and now – ”

“You’ll have to be serious if you want to ace in your training with me.”

Did I hear that right? Training? The concept’s too funny to think about. “What training?” his eyes sparkled like he saw a window of opportunity. He said in response to me, “Wow, Ryne. I had no idea that you lack basic education – ” I laughed but then it was really weird because I also coughed at the same time. He grimaced.

“Sorry. No fooling around for now, okay? You’ll have a seizure or something.” I shot him a glare as best as I could. He responded with a dazzling smile. “I just had a brilliant idea. Why don’t I just explain the situation now, while you’re harmless?”

“Harmless?”

“Yes, harmless. You know, that adjective which – ”

“Shut up.: I said, scowling. He just chuckled and straightened his back. “I’ll explain this mess now, okay?”

“Well, why don’t you start already?” he seemed unfazed by that. Then he continued speaking, “As you already know, someone ordered me to protect you – ”

“Kidnap, more like.”

“Whatever. This person has an unbelievable influence and people like that have enemies. Lots of enemies.” he let that sink in for a moment. “The people at the mall, you mean?” he smiled slightly and added. “That’s a small tree compared to the whole forest.” Fuck. My eyes widened then I sneezed. Predictably. I quickly recovered myself and asked him as fast as a bullet. “There are lots more out there?” 

He raised an eyebrow and rubbed his palms on his thighs. “I thought you knew.” I processed this information. “I thought they’re only less than ten!”  

“Don’t worry, they won’t find us.” then he looked at me meaningfully. “As long as you don’t give me a hard time keeping you safe.” I disregarded this statement and fired another question. “Why did these influential person want me here? Is he going to use me or something?”

“He’ll have to tell you in person.” his eyes were a strange mix of emotions as he said that. “You won’t tell me anything about him, won’t you?” I told him dryly.

“He’ll probably kill me if I do, so no. I’d rather keep my head attached to my neck.” Oh, that’s just nice. “Aren’t you being over-reactive?” He chuckled and said, “Ryne, I’m dead serious. Why do you think I don’t want you getting sick? And as much as possible, when you meet him, make it obvious that you had fun, okay?” 

This unknown guy is ridiculous! “That’s really…weird! It’s like the guy wants me to have the time of my life rather than terrorize me!” He was trying very hard not to smile, then. I suddenly paused and scrutinized him. “If you’re making this all up, I’m going to – ”

“I’m not! Why would I do that?”

“Haven’t you realized that this guy you’re describing is utterly absurd?” He shrugged. “He has his reasons.” Very informative. I can’t think straight, and it’s making my headache worse; though I won’t say that to Sky. He’ll stop the questioning in a blink of an eye if I did. I turned to him again. “Why does he have a lot of enemies?” he released a sigh and I saw in his eyes a look of amused and begrudging admiration. He smiled at nothing in particular and replied,

            “He was a leader of a Mafia.”

Chapter 12: Computer Friend

Chapter 12: Computer friend (Wattpad)

I woke up properly this time. Wednesday, I thought. I looked for my glasses and found a clock on the bed side table, 9:00 am. When I faced my right side, all I saw was a messed up blanket and sheets. I jumped of the bed, got a pair of comfy slippers and went out of the bedroom.

What I saw on the sitting room was the last thing I ever thought of finding. There were high levels gadgets, everywhere. And spying devices, that kind of stuff. Then there were the two sets of laptops and PCs. Where the hell did all of this come from? Then piled orderly on the top of a low cabinet were guns of all shapes and sizes. 

I do not like this at all.

"Good morning." Sky greeted me, green eyes smiling lively. He was having a cup of coffee. And he wasn't alone. Beside him was a friendly looking blonde, who was having a coffee the same as Sky. They were at the round table at the middle of the room, with Dash chewing something that looked like a boomerang once, Sky said to me; "Ryne, this is Imah, Imah, Ryne." he introduced, complete with hand gestures. I went to sit with them, Dash licking my ankles and barking. Imah looks like the complete opposite of the grey-eyed woman from yesterday. She has her hair in a bun, but she didn't look severe by doing it. She looks neat and presentable and very smart. And in case, you're wondering, her name is pronounced "eem-ma." Such an unusual name, I thought. Then she smiled at me.

"Hello, Ryne! Sky told me all about you, that I feel as if we're friends already!" she said cheerfully. "No need to shake my hand, I don't like formalities." she laughed lightly. "And I really love your dog! He is so cuddly and well trained. Dash is his name right?"

Wow. She really is friendly. I looked at Sky and he caught my expression and said, "Don't be shy. Imah's always like this." he smiled. I faced her.

"Sky told you about me?" I asked tentatively.

"All about you! I didn't know your favourite food is - " Sky interrupted her.

"I did not tell you all about her. I just told you that - "

"Same thing Sky." Imah laughed. He rolled his eyes. He faced me.

"I'll make you a cup of coffee while you two talk about me behind my back, all right?" I chuckled.

"Thanks." I said. Then he went to the location of the kitchen and Imah turned to me quickly.

"So", she said, her eyes glittering. "I heard you have a boyfriend. Is that true?" I blushed then responded.

"Yeah. His name is Carsh."

"So Sky wasn't lying?!" she said, surprised. "He told me the exact same thing. Carsh Meyers, right?" she asked, but didn't wait for an answer.

"He even described him to me, but I didn't believe him." for some reason, she looked disappointed.

"Uhmm, why do you look so disappointed?" She seemed to hesitate and curled her finger around a strand of her hair on the side of her face.

"Well, I was kind of hoping that Sky would like you and vice versa, so - " She stopped speaking as soon as we head him coming.

"Done backstabbing me?" he asked good-naturedly ash he set down my cup of coffee in front of me and sat down. I couldn't believe what I just heard. That's about the stupidest thing I have ever heard! I suddenly felt homesick as I noticed the color of Imah's eyes. Blue. Like Carsh's. I miss him so much. He would be wondering where I am now, call my phone a million times and find out I wasn't home when he returns from his family trip. I looked around the place - guns, gadgets. I don't belong here.

I heard Imah respond, "We weren't talking about you, moron. We talked about girl stuff." she looked at me.

"And if you don't believe me, then ask Ryne." she said convincingly.

"Fine, I believe you. But please learn to keep your mouth shut." he said, sipping his coffee. Imah didn't respond, she just scratched Dash behind the ears. I turned to Sky "Do you have something worth hiding, then?" I asked, smiling. Imah laughed.

"Yeah, he does! You're a smart one, Ryne." then she looked at Sky, "Hey! I can blackmail you now!" She giggled, with Dash on her lap.

"Blackmail me, later. tell her what you need to tell her before I throw you out." Imah pouted. "Fine" she muttered. Then she turned to me. "What he meant is I will be your computer friend from now on." she said.

"Computer friend?" I asked, confused.

She smiled. "Yeah, computer friend. I make sure no one finds the both of you while you're out there and I tell you which place is safe, if you have an enemy in the vicinity, etc." Sky looked at her. "You forgot to tell her the most important one." Then Imah sat up straight. "Oh right! I get to do all of those things through computers and I just tell you both through comm devices!"

"Not that one!"

"Which - OH. yeah. I also make sure that you don't escape." she looked at me, sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Ryne. But we have to do this. You'll thank us once this is all done, trust me." then she smiled at me. I heard that before.

"So", I said, "this crazy thing will go until...?" she looked excited as she said,

"FOREVER!"

Sky choked on his coffee. And I felt as if the world's going to end tomorrow.

"Are you serious?"

"She's not!" said Sky, still coughing. He gave her a look that said bugger off. Imah laughed and said, "You two are so serious! Come on! Now wonder you don't get along pretty well." Then she drank her coffee leisurely.

Sky turned to me."Don't mind her. She's always like that. I think her mom dropped her when she was a baby." She ignored him "Anyway, it's only for a few months. You may get to spend your birthday being on the run from killers, though." he told me.

Wait. "How did you know when my birthday is?" I asked him suspiciously. Imah popped up before Sky even opened his mouth.

"Because you have the same birthday!" God. That is not true.

"Imah, shut up." Sky said.

"Well, it's true! Do you expect me to lie?" she defended herself. What the hell?

I asked them both. "Are you telling me that your birthday" I looked at him. "is on the 15th of November too?" I asked skeptically. Who could blame me?! It's a million odds to one that you and your kidnapper/protector/whatever has the same date of birth.

Imah siad, "Yes! Tell her, Sky! Remember that one birthday of yours where we tried to push you off a bridge - "

"You what?!" I exclaimed.

She laughed. "Oh yes! It was hilarious!" Sky rubbed his temples. "You two are giving me a headache. And, yes. We have the same birthday. Happy, Imah?"

"I'm always happy!" she said.

"Just explain to her what happens now, so you can go along." I suddenly felt sad. Imah's leaving? "You're not going to stay?" I asked her.

"No I'm sorry." she didn't look happy for once. "I'm useless with guns and I won't be able to help you much if I travel with you. I'll have to stay through comm devices, like i said earlier." She gave me a comm device in a little plastic with a closed seal.

"I'll be able to talk to you using this - " she started to explain. But then I said,

"I know how it works, you don't have to explain." I told her.

"Ah yes. Sorry. I forgot." Forgot what? I scrutinized the both of them.

"Why do I get the feeling that you know a lot of stuff about me?" I said.

For the first time, Sky beat Imah to the punch.

"Because we do."

Chapter 11: Bed problem

Chapter 11: Bed problem (Wattpad)

We had a light dinner, courtesy of room service, and cleaned up for the night. There were two large bathrooms in the suite, so we were washing up at the same time. The real problem came afterwards.

There was only one bed. Sure, it was a big sized bed, but still. It's one bed. I was wearing Sky's big shirt and okay-sized shorts. I looked at him in his own similar attire.

"So how do we do this?" I asked

"Do what?"

"Where do we sleep?" I answered as if my life depended on it. He looked at me weirdly.

"The bed, of course." he said as if it's the most normal thing in the world. He looked at the said object.

"Huge isn't it?" I ignored his comment and asked another question.

"So we're going to sleep together?"

"Yeah. Is something wrong with that? I don't snore." he protested.

Where did all the pervertedness go? I wondered. Or maybe he is just tired. He did do a lot of things a lot this day.

"No, it's alright. Just stay away as far away from me as possible, okay?"

"Actually, I can't control my body when I'm sleeping, so I can't promise you that." he said as he was making his way to the bed.

"Whatever Sky."

"Uh, Ryne? I don't think you would like to hear this but," he spread out a blanket. "there's only one blanket too."

This is not possible.

I went over to him and rummaged for the other blanket. There was none. Sky looked at me.

"Why are you so against sharing stuff with me? I won't eat you, you know."

"It's not that. Let's just get some sleep okay? You look like you've been through hell and back." I turned off the light and went to my left side of the bed. I felt incredibly relaxed as I lay down on the warm sheet and covered myself with the thick blanket. I placed my glasses on the bedside table and heard Sky do the same. Dash was outside sleeping on the unbelievably wide rug.

"Sweet dreams." he said

"Yeah you too." That was sarcastic.

I woke up in the middle of the night. I just can't sleep, maybe because I already took a nap at the car earlier. I decided to check on Dash, just in case. But when I tried to move, I immediately found that I couldn't. It was then I noticed that someone had their arm around my torso. Oh no. You have to be kidding me. I thought to myself.

I tried to twist around my head and found it impossible, too. This is crazy! He had his head buried in my hair at the back of my head. I couldn't move an inch. I tried my damnest to move away, only to be pressed closer to him and as if he's awake, he hooked his leg around my waist. This is insane.

"Sky?" I tried to say, then I cleared my throat and tried again,

            "Sky you're squeezing me to death" He mumbled something I couldn't catch and did not respond. I sighed in resignation. At least he's not conscious, I thought. And no one, no one has to know about this. I tried to go back to sleep and succeeded miraculously.

Chapter 7: The middle guy

Chapter 7: The middle guy (Wattpad)

He still had that look on his face. And me - I was cowering from him. An angry Sky La Brea wasn't a sight to behold, even if that was his name. He didn't say anything, but the next thing I knew, he was carrying me like I'm a sack of rice.

"Hey!" Shit! What right does he have to do this?! "Let me GO!" I tried my best to hold my glasses to my face, because he was running ridiculously fast.

"Where the hell are you taking me?!”

No answer.                            

                       

"Fuck you!"

Still none. I screamed in frustration. I had enough of people dragging me around like a stupid puppet! Then, sunlight burned my eyes. What the fu- Then from my peripheral vision, I saw the tires and bodies of cars passing through us. Oh no. We're at the parking lot. He was taking me away - probably far away, that I can't - Oh my God.

 

"LET ME FUCKING GO!"

Carsh. My home. Dash! I started struggling again. This time, though, he was annoyed.

"Stop squirming and stay still! Just trust me, I'm doing this for you."

"Trust you? Trust? You?! You've got to be fucking kidding - "  He huffed then continued running.

"Did you even hear me?!"

Then he slowed down and stopped by a car. A red Ferrari. He let me stand on my own two feet. Finally. But he still held firm hands on my petite shoulders. He opened the shotgun seat and forced me in.

"Wait! What are you - Carsh will kill you -  MY DOG IS JUST SEVERAL STEPS AWAY FROM ME AND YOU CAN'T - "

He pulled a silver object from his breast pocket as I was inside.

Handcuffs.

"Fucking no!" I screamed. I squirmed away from him all the way into the driver's seat. Nonetheless, he caught my wrists.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

I cannot believe this is happening. This must be some bad nightmare. It has to be. Then he spoke,

"Look, please shut up. I can't do anything about your boyfriend or anything else you want. But I can handle your dog."

Bloody he-

He handcuffed one of my wrists to the wheel. My face was overcome with mixed emotions. He said,

"Stay here." then closed the car.

Stay here? He's a lunatic! I'm handcuffed to the car. I can't go anywhere! Crap! Just crap! No one says anything to me. NO ONE. I shook my wrist out of pure aggravation. Why does it have to be like this? I tried reaching for the car door with my other hand. I opened it.

Or rather, tried to.

The thing wouldn't budge! I did it again. Again. And again. I kicked his precious Ferrari in rage. The damned guy is kidnapping me, that's what. They must be crazy - why me?! I kicked his car again, harder this time.

I heard a familiar bark to my right, a far distance away.

Dash.

He was in Sky's arms and they're making their way to the car, fast. Sky kept looking over his shoulder. I found out why when he opened the car door and the sounds of the parking lot came rushing in to the car, though one sound dominated all the others.

Sirens.

Something licked my shoulder. "Dash." He went to my lap and curled up. Sky then released my handcuffs, only to tie it under my seat. Shit. This guy is impossible. He saves Dash, then goes back to being a complete asshole. The middle guy. I hugged Dash tightly with one hand. Then Sky started the engine.

           "We need to go."
 

Chapter 3: Stupid, stupid Ryne

Chapter 3: Stupid, stupid Ryne (Wattpad)

I can't help looking over my shoulder for a sight of those green eyes and the unbelievably handsome face. And the gun. I loathe those things now. Then I heard a loud sound.

I screamed.

It's Dash. What is wrong with me?!

I really do need to get a grip. At least, somehow with Dash here, I felt better. I got Dash as a 12th birthday present from my parents - the last one I ever received from them. Anyway, he's a Golden Retriever, the best in the world. I used to be a loner before, but I never minded in the slightest because I had Dash. Now I have Dash and Carsh. I smiled at that train of thought. The thing is, though, Dash has that habit of sleeping like the dead. Maybe even worse. But I feel like I kind of okay with the fact that I trained him well - fetch and all that.

I thought about my completely normal morning. It makes me cringe. Anyway, I'm here to end this now, the police will take care of the rest. We walked a good several minutes to the nearest, mind you, the nearest station close to my house. All thanks to the Terminator. If only I had my bike, I thought bitterly. But then, the next thing I knew, we were at the entrance. "Dash. Behave, 'kay?" Then I left him and went in. I walked straight to the front desk.

"May I help you, kid?" Officer Stanley asked curiously. He's been here for eternity.

"I want to report a - ah, uhhmm.." What was I thinking? Coming here without a plan? Nice going, Ryne. I feel frustrated with myself. I don't even have proof - they just have my word that a new boy in town, clearly not of age for guns, was carrying firearms. Well, I can't really pull out my phone and picture him while running, could I? The officer would probably tell me to butt off, something about welcoming newcomers with open arms. This one's different, I thought. Gathering up my nerve, I asked him,

"Do you know a La Brea family who just moved around here recently?"

"Oh, yes! La Brea!' said one officer. "Nice people, good looking, too." Well, obviously.

"Why'd you ask, kid?" asked Officer Stanley.

"Well, it's actually about the boy, Sky La Brea..."

"Now that guy is the bomb. I tell you, Stan." said the same other cop. "Very good looking - almost a model - and nice manners too." he's not exactly boosting my confidence with this. By the way he talks, you'd think he's gay. Officer Stan cocked and eyebrow, asking me to continue.

"Well, uhm." I cleared my throat. "I was walking back home, on the 73th, then I saw him on my way...saw him with a gun."

There was a pause.

Then the gay officer burst out laughing. Even Officer Stanley chuckled. What the -

"Did you just hear what I said?" I asked boldly. "You've got to bring him in for questioning or something!"

Stan explained. "Look, kid. There has to be some mistake - " I scowled, then I interrupted him.

"You said so that the guy was extremely good looking," I said, looking at the other cop. "Why would you think that I mistook him for somebody else?"

Stan continued. "No. We met the family ourselves, to welcome them to the neighbourhood. If there was some firearms along with that boy's textbooks, I'm sure we'll find out about it."

I stared at him. Is this even funny? Does this look like a joke? Their ego is just DISGUSTING.

"Now, I have to tell you to behave yourself, okay? And I mean no mentioning of any gun to anyone. You kids should welcome the guy, not scare him off. I don't want this spreading around, all right?"

I can't believe this.

           Stupid, stupid Ryne.

Chapter 1: The catalyst

Parallel Lines (Wattpad)


Chapter 1: The catalyst (Wattpad)

Monday.

Shit. If the damned alarm clock couldn't scream any louder, I'll move out of the planet. Six-thirty. Mother of God. I overslept. Life couldn't be more beautiful. I quickly jumped off my tiny bed, took a bath, checked on Dash, my dog, and ate my breakfast - breakfast meaning a nice little carrot on my way to school on my rickety bike, Five years of this you'll get the hang of it, too.

By the way, my name is Ryne. Ryne Evers. Cool name, huh? NO. It's bloody disgusting. Anyway, as I arrived at school, a lot of people are still around. I wasn't toast, oh yes. I'm actually excited to go to school, despite the fact that most of the time I arrive always almost-late. You'll see why. I've been here at Anderson High here in Australia all my life and I knew practically every face in the campus. But that doesn't mean that they know me. I've always been classified as the nerdy type, you see. Okay, first things first. I am NOT a nerd. I just have these awkward glasses that makes me look like a geek. And I am not that tall, which, I think, adds to the nerdy appeal. I have a slim build, okay-ish bangs and hair that's closer to brown than black. But not all people can be Lisa Sparks pretty. Lisa - of all the popular people in the school - is the sweetest, kind hearted and the best bitch. She's the Terminator. She's Bellatrix Lestrange. She's a lunatic.

I wasn't attention when I was securing my bike, so Lisa's sparkling little Volvo backed up on my bike. Hard.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?"

"Oops. Was that your bike?" Now she's making a show of looking beneath her tires, which is squashing my bike against the asphalt.

"Oh my gosh, Ryne! I am so sorry." Pathetic. "I'll pay you back, I promise." As if.

"Please, just stay away from me." I said, walking into the campus. I said please; I'm not an entirely evil person. The Terminator followed me anyway. "You know, what I think? I think you just think you're awesome because you are - "

"Bitch, did you hear me earlier?" I quickened my steps, leaving her behind.

What? You think I am a ruthless human being? She deserved it! All those years of harassing me whenever she can and not to mention all the money, hard work and skipped meals that ended up under her car just now. I am a person reacting normally.

So finally, I'm at the classroom. Sparks and I aren't classmates, thank God. I've had enough of her face today. She's such an infuriating little prick. Now I have to walk home! That's just dandy. When she shows her edited face again, I will strangle her and -

"What did the blackboard do to you?"

My eyes met the smiling ones of Carsh. Carsh Meyers. My boyfriend. Yes, I have a boyfriend. That's what makes me excited to go to school five times a week. Please don't be shocked. Carsh has been with me for almost a year now. He's blonde, tall and smart. And he has blue eyes. I couldn't care less. He's the only one who doesn't judge by appearance, makes me laugh and has stuck with me since I met him. Unlike some who snubs me just because I don't actually meet their expectations or complete their list of requirements or something. Especially after what happened to my parents five years ago.

"You're having those looks again," he said. "like you want to eat me." I laughed at that.

"I'm just daydreaming. Nothing serious." I replied.

I met Carsh two years ago, when I was just 15. He was a year older than me. Corky Mallory, who is a complete freak - seriously, everyone's afraid of him, he's the weirdest in all of the history of weird and there's just no telling what's his next...stunt.- was chasing me with a huge, and I mean HUGE, lizard in his pudgy hands. The thing about this is - I have a phobia to lizards. I can't even believe that they exist, just thinking about them makes me shiver. That's the reason behind why I was running rocket speed away from Corky. Then I bumped into a body. Into Carsh.

"Whoa, there. Easy. Are you okay? You look like you're about to pass out." Then I met those oh-so blue eyes. Then bada-bing-bada-boom. Let's just say that lizards may have a purpose after all.

"You look really down. What happened?" He asked me now, concern etched into his features.

"Nothing important."
 

"Doesn't look like nothing. Look," he said. "talk to me. It's me. Was it Lisa?" I sighed. "Really. It's not a big thing." Then I told him. I'll just have to save for a new bike. Ugh. "So you'll just... walk home?" he said, worried. "I can't take you home. Dad and I are visiting Illiana." Oh, that. crap. Totally forgot that. Illiana is Carsh's sister. He looked very worried. Again. Here it goes.

"Call me as soon as you go home, okay? And bring your pepper spray..." he ranted. I only kept a pepper spray because it makes him happy. But seriously?! Who would shag me in the first place?

 

"Okay, Daddy." He's so fussy at times.

He chuckled. Staring at him, imperfect as my life is, I would never trade it for anything or everything else in the world. I guess I should have known how quickly and differently everything changes from here.