When we got home, it was around 3 PM. Abigail was dusting the living room. She looked surprised when she saw us.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
"There was a problem at school, but everything's fine now," my father replied. "Abigail, take her to her room. I have a meeting in a few minutes. I'll be back as soon as it's over," my father said, glancing at his watch.
"Yes, sir. Come on, dear," Abigail said, placing her hand on my back and already leading me toward the room.
When we arrived in my room, I told Abigail everything, and she was stunned.
"I'm going to take a shower and do some research for my History project."
"Alright, Mia, but… what about Chad? He's cute, I noticed the way you talked about him," Abigail teased.
I just smiled and went to the bathroom.
"Your father is jealous, you know, Mia?" Abigail commented, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
I turned to her and said,"Maybe you know that better than I do."
She then looked at me incredulously, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at me. I closed the bathroom door, and the pillow hit it.
I had already noticed the chemistry between my father and Abigail. She would make a great stepmother. Maybe I'd give them a little nudge to get closer.
After my shower, Emma sent me a message:
"Wanna go shopping? It's so boring here."
I thought, "Wow, that would be fun!" but then I remembered I hadn't asked my father. I replied that we could go on Saturday. She sent an emoji and agreed.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working ahead on my History research. I was distracted with my headphones, fiddling on my laptop, when I felt someone yank the headphones off my head. I turned around—it was my father.
"Hi, Dad."
"Hi, sweetie," he replied. "I'd like to know why you arranged to go out with that boy on a Tuesday."
I tried to remember what he meant, then realized in my thoughts:"Of course, Brandon… shoot, I forgot to cancel…"
I said,"Dad, I forgot to cancel."
"Cancel something that shouldn't have been scheduled?" I looked at the clock—it was 7:10 PM.
My father said,"I've already sent him home. I hope this doesn't happen again."
I was incredulous and embarrassed. What could my father have said to Brandon? But I didn't think too much about it. I didn't want to go; Brandon was cute, but not my type.
"Go downstairs for dinner now," my father said, sternly.
I quickly followed him to the dining room. Abigail wasn't there. I guess she didn't want to show up so I wouldn't have to invite her again. My father still seemed angry.
I asked,"Dad, can I go shopping with Emma on Saturday?"
"As long as it's during the day, you don't stay out late, and it's just you and Emma," he replied.
"Of course, thanks," I said.
After dinner, I went to read my book. It was still warm outside, so I went to the pool area and sat down. I was distracted when a shadow behind a tree caught my attention. Then I saw what looked like a man running toward the street. My heart raced. I threw my book onto the small table so hard it fell off. I ran inside the house.
My father was in the living room. I approached him and said,"Dad, someone's been lurking around the house since yesterday. These houses without walls or gates… it's weird. This place is dangerous."
I kept rambling a lot of things I don't even remember. My father came closer, grabbed both my arms, and said,"Calm down, Mia. Calm down. It's probably nothing. Let's go check."
I said no, so he went alone. I stayed worried, waiting for him to return, until he came in with my book in hand, soaking wet. I looked at him strangely, and he said,"Sweetheart, the book doesn't need a bath."
I didn't understand. The book had fallen on the floor, far from the pool, not in it!
"Damn it, that book is from the library!" I said, grabbing it.
My father said,"I'll pay for it, don't worry. Go rest, there was no one outside."
I went upstairs. It's no surprise that I had trouble falling asleep. Could it have been Brandon lurking around the house? But why would he do that? A thousand questions ran through my mind before I finally fell asleep.
The next day at school, I went straight to the library to explain what had happened with the book. Or maybe, deep down, I wanted to see Chad? Perhaps… When I saw him at the reception desk, he smiled.
"Good morning, Mia. Feeling better?"
I replied,"Yes. But I came because the book got wet, it fell in the pool."
He laughed out loud. I said,"I'm serious. What should I do?"
"Don't worry, I have one. I'll put it back," he said with a smile.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, a favor for a nice girl."
I blushed, and then Emma yelled at me:"Mia, I found you! I saw you coming here. You're such a nerd—you love the library, huh!"
I went over to Emma. When I reached the library door, I looked back, and Chad was watching me. I smiled and said,"Thanks, Chad."
He just nodded. When we left the library, Emma nudged me and said,"What was that flirt?"
I said,"You're imagining things."
She replied,"I know, right."
During class, I kept thinking about Chad—he's so handsome, tall, brown hair, brown eyes, such a nice guy look, with a sweet gaze. I'd never thought so much about a boy before.
That day at school was great. Katty got a three-day suspension for her nasty prank. The only problem would be when she returned. Wender didn't even show up in class, which only made the day more pleasant.
During the last class, History, Emma said,"We have to go to my house to work on the project."
Adam agreed to go. I said,"Let's go to my house; I didn't ask permission to leave."
Emma said,"Alright."
When the bell rang, Emma said,"Go with your driver. Adam will come with me; I'll follow you."
I said,"Okay."
In the parking lot, I saw Chad putting on his helmet. He approached me when he saw me.
"Mia, good! I wanted to talk to you."
At that moment, Emma and Adam came closer and watched. Chad said, without hesitation,"I wanted to invite you to go bowling on Saturday."
I said,"My dad won't allow it."
Emma interrupted me,"Hey, don't we have to go shopping? I'll stay at your house, and we'll figure out a way to go out."
"I don't want to cause trouble," Chad said, smiling.
Emma, smiling, said,"Okay, deal. Give him your number, and then you can arrange a time."
Chad handed me his phone, and I wrote down my number. He said,"Bye, Adam and Emma," and kissed me on the cheek.
"Bye, Mia."
I held my cheek and froze for a few seconds. Chad got on his motorcycle and left. Emma pulled me along and said,"Come on, let's go. We have a huge project to finish."
When we got to my house, I introduced Emma and Adam to Abigail.
"I'll bring some snacks for you," Abigail said.
I thanked her, and we went up to my room. Adam laughed when he saw it.
"I think we're in Katty's room, right?" he said.
Emma laughed, and I scowled, saying,"My dad decorated it."
Adam, still laughing, said,"Alright, Barbie."
Adam was too sarcastic for my taste, but I would get back at him at the first chance I had.
We started working on the project. Emma got a phone call and said,"Guys, I have to go. My mom wants me to meet her."
Emma asked me to finish the project with Adam, and we agreed. When Emma left, I stood up and looked out the window. A big storm was brewing.
But I sat back down next to Adam, and we continued working. I didn't even notice when my father arrived. He cleared his throat, and Adam and I looked at him.
"Alone with a boy in your room… I thought that would take another ten years," my father said, nervous.
"We're working on a project," I replied.
He retorted,"You can do it in the office or the living room."
"Okay…" I said.
But my father interrupted me,"I hope this doesn't happen again."
Adam said,"What? Sir, we're just friends."
"My friends? Sure, you're just friends—otherwise you wouldn't be alive," my father said.
I said,"Dad, he's dating Emma, my friend. Relax."
Adam looked at me incredulously. I gave a sarcastic laugh; he glared and said,"I have to go," he said, standing up.
"Absolutely not. Look at this storm. I'll take you later when the rain passes," my father said, pausing for a moment. I think he remembered where Adam lived, then said,"It's already 7 PM. Give me your mother's number; you'll stay here. It's safer."
Adam said,"No need."
My father, in a firm tone, said,"Those who can, obey. Don't question me—you're a minor, I won't let you cross the city alone at this hour."
Adam was silent. My father called Adam's mother, who authorized him to sleep over at my house. I was happy.
After dinner, we watched a movie in the living room. At one point, I noticed Adam staring through the glass door.
"What is it?" I asked him.
"I saw someone passing outside."
I said,"I've noticed someone lurking around the house."
Adam got up before I could finish and asked,"Where are the knives?"
I didn't answer. I hadn't processed everything yet.
"Where, Mia?" he asked.
I pointed to the kitchen. He ran over and grabbed a knife. I froze.
"Stay here, don't go outside," Adam said.
I thought about stopping him, but he had already left before I could blink. I couldn't move. Then I heard a scream… the sound of glass breaking.
"DAAAD!" I screamed loudly.
My father ran downstairs in his pajamas. Abigail, who had been in her room, also appeared in the living room. They began shaking me, asking what had happened. I couldn't answer, as I didn't even know myself.