I stretched as I got on my feet after turning off my alarm. I needed more sleep, but if I did, I would be late. So, after getting ready and taking an apple for breakfast, I walked outside to wait for Dan and ate my apple. I noticed a royal blue car across the street with a guy inside, looking at me. But before I could think anything of it, Dan’s black A5 appeared, and I got in. He kissed me as a greeting, and I kissed back.
I laughed and pushed him lightly away when he deepened our kiss, “We’ll be late.”
“Right, just one more.” So, I gave him another kiss.
When Dan started the car, I noticed the guy inside the blue car was still there, staring at us – at me? – and waved his hand when our eyes met.
“C, are you listening?” Sydney's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Right, lunch with Sydney meant I need to pay attention to her every word.
Why did I keep thinking about that guy? That guy felt familiar.
“Yeah, of course,” I said then corrected myself. “No, sorry, what did you talk about?”
Sydney sighed, clearly annoyed. “What’s your plan for your birthday? Let’s throw a party at your place and make it the best party ever!”
“I can’t. My parents will disown me if I do that. Sorry.” I said sheepishly. I lied, of course. I barely know my parents, but really, saying ‘parents’ as a reason is the easiest way out of things.
“They’re never home, how will they know? And it’s your sweet sixteen! Even if they know, they’ll let this one go.”
“They will know it, one way or another.” I shrugged, giving a forced smile. “Sorry. And they won’t let it go. I might be grounded for the next 50 years.”
“No fun.” She sulked.
I hated it when I made people feel down, so I said, “Let’s eat somewhere fancy instead. I’ll treat you and the others. And maybe, if you want, you can sleepover at my place.” As I saw her eyes lit up, a hand appeared on my shoulder and some members of the football team started sitting around us.
“What are you two talking about?” Dan asked, sitting beside me. He’s a junior, so his class schedule was slightly different than us, sophomore. Hench why he only joined us now.
“Chloe’s birthday.” Sydney said, “She refused to throw her own birthday party.”
“I told you I can’t throw it in my house,” I said, sighing. “If one thing is broken in that house…”
Sydney cut me, “Your parents will either ground you for life or disown you. I remember.” And then her eyes light up, “What about renting a place? Where you can throw a party? Your parents won’t have a problem with that.”
“In two days?” I asked skeptically.
“What about my place? My parents will allow it, and they’re out of town anyway.” Dan said.
“Oh yeah! Party at Dan’s!” Jackson asked enthusiastically.
“Yes, spread the news,” Dan said smiling, and the news traveled through the table and to the others in the cafeteria and through social media.
I cringed inside, I like Dan. A lot. Which was why I accepted when he asked me to be his girlfriend, but his party is always wild. And I hate that.
Dan’s hand moved from my shoulder to my tight and he squeezed it lightly, drawing my attention. “The party is on Saturday, you’ll come, right? It’s your birthday.”
I nodded, “Yes, I will. Thanks for doing this for me.” I kissed his cheek.
“I think it requires a real kiss for this thank you.” Dan smiled, wickedly.
“Later. Not at school.” I laughed.
We kissed in his car after school. He had fifteen minutes before practice, and I did owe him a kiss. His hand slipped under my shirt and I got a little tense, but before he got too far, his phone let out a loud annoying alarm, indicating that he needs to go now before he’s late to practice. The coach hated tardiness.
He cursed under his breath and we got out of his car. “See you tomorrow,” He said and started jogging away and I went home with a bus.
That car was parked in front of the house’s garage now, inside the fences. I frowned. I was sure I locked everything, even the gate. How did this blue car get in? I was sure it’s not a robber. Who robbed a house using a Porsche? I didn’t know what type, but the brand was surely Porsche. Who was that guy? He was the one who drove this car. I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I knew he was staring at me.
I cautiously opened the front door and peeked before opening it wider. The hall was empty, but I could hear sounds from the living room. A TV?
I took an umbrella, preparing it as my weapon, and walked into the living room. He was watching Spongebob…?
“What the frick?” I asked, too surprised to say anything else.
He turned around and… Wow. He was handsome. It’s a different type of handsome compare to Dan’s hard and sharp structure. He had those perfect angles in the right place with almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and perfect proportion lips. I shook myself out of my thought. He was looking at me with a tilted head and a smile while sitting backward on the sofa.
“Who are you? How did you get in? Why are you here? What do you want?” I snapped my question out in a rush.
“Slow down Chloe. I…”
I cut him, ignoring his soft tone and the way he said my name. “How do you know my name?”
“I am Hunter Bloodworth. I have a key. I am here because of Art and Sophie. And right now, I want to continue watching, if you don’t mind.” He answered me, ticking his fingers, and still smiling. “Oh, and I know your name, Chloe Ericson, because years ago, you told me so.”
“Why do my parents want you here?” I frowned at him.
He already turned away, facing the TV. “They want me to protect and train you.”
“Protect? Train?” I scoffed, dropped the umbrella, and fold my hands on my chest. “Train me to do what? Be a ninja, like they do? To disappear from their daughter’s life? I don’t need any protection or training. I am perfectly fine by myself. Thank you very much. You are not welcome here. Go back to wherever you are from.” I turned away and went upstairs to my room.
I dropped myself on my bed and buried my face in the pillow. My chest hurt and it felt hard to breathe. Why are they doing this? Why not come home? Why sent a stranger? I hadn’t seen my dad for more than three years and my mom for more than one year. The last time they called was to wish me a happy birthday last year and to make sure the cleaning lady did her work. They’re too busy doing whatever their business is and left me here alone. This should be illegal, neglecting their own kid.
I didn’t realize I fell asleep and woke up after dark because of the knocking on my bedroom door. “Chloe?” Hunter called me, not for the first time.
“Why are you still here?” I mumbled to myself, dragged myself out of bed, and opened the door. “What?”
He was surprised. “Did I wake you up?”
“What?”
“Dinner. Dinner’s ready. I made them.” His smile widened.
“Your smile is annoying.” He scrunched his nose and puckered his lips. “Now your face is annoying.” But I couldn’t help but laugh. And even though he made a funny face, he still looked so good.
He joined me laughing, “Let’s go eat before it gets cold.”
Dinner was good. He can cook better than me. “Can we talk?” he asked while I’m doing the dishes.
“What?”
He hesitated, “Are you… do you know who I am?”
“Hunter Bloodworth,” I said his name, or at least that’s what he said he is. “What kind of last name is that?”
He smiled ruefully and shrugged, “Can’t really choose my last name. I also don’t choose who my dad is.” A frown appeared on his forehead and he sighed. “But that’s not what I’m asking. Before today, do you remember anything about me?”
I shook my head, “Should I?” I stopped, tilted my head, and said. “I did feel like I have seen you before this morning, but I don’t think I have.”
He was smiling, but it feels sad. Why is that smile look so sad? “Alright,” He stood up, “Can you tell me which room I can use?”
“Use whatever except mine.”
“Okay, thanks.” And he left.
I found out that he chose the room beside me, out of all four available rooms in this house. I could hear a light strum of guitar from his room.
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