BOY NEXT DOOR

Cullens

After the final class, Jade walks me to the parking lot together with the boys, save for Kain. He left in a rush right after the class ended. Jade has been having classes all day so we didn't hang out at all. That'd explain why she got so excited that she caught us just as we left the classroom.

Ryan is already waiting beside the car. I hug Jade briefly then I wave the boys goodbye.

When the car pulls up outside Daniel's house, I start to walk to the front door, but then I glance at Kain's house when I hear commotion.

I'm surprised when a woman walks out of the house. She is talking loudly; yelling and cussing. She walks down the front steps in a huff then crosses the road without bothering to check for oncoming cars. She throws her hands in the air while muttering unintelligent things, and I'm just stupefied as I watch her.

Kain then appears from the house, all panicky, and he looks around until he spots her a distance away.

"Mom?" He calls out loudly.

The woman doesn't bother to look back at him.

He walks down the front steps to follow her, and it's then that he notices me looking at him.

I can almost sense him gritting his teeth.

"What are you looking at? Mind your own f*****g business!" He yells, totally getting me by surprise.

"I was just-"

"Save it. All you do is stare. If you have something to say, then say it. If you don't, just stop staring!"

He pulls his hoodie over his head, then he sticks his hands in his pockets before he crosses the road; going after his mom.

It takes me a moment to process what just happened. The first thing Kain ever said to me, and it was the rudest thing that's ever been directed at me.

I kinda deserve it but still..

I make my decision then.

No more staring at the boy next door.

Either way, I hope his Mom feels better.

*

My Mom is reading one of my novels when I walk inside.

She looks at me and smiles.

"School got any better?"

"You could say that. Where is the food?"

"In the kitchen."

"Then you know where to find me."

That's basically what I do when I'm frustrated; I eat.

Right now, I'm super frustrated.

"Why don't you freshen up first?" Mom calls after me, but I don't say a thing.

I sit at the island, and I'm about to dig into my food when I notice something.

Our kitchen window and Kain's kitchen window are directly facing each other, just like our bedrooms. Who on earth designed such? Maybe a teenage boy whose crush lived next door?

I clear my plate once I'm full then I walk upstairs to my room. I left the curtains closed but they're now pulled back. Mom did it. I don't want my window open for obvious reasons. Glancing at Kain's window, I'm glad to realize that it's locked all the way in. I close the curtains then sit on my bed to work on my first assignment.

*

At dinner, Daniel kisses my mom on the forehead before he sits beside her.

"Hey Bella?" He calls with a small smile, and I find myself smiling back.

"Hi."

"How is school so far?"

My thoughts instantly go to Kain.

"Could get better."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Shitty times..you know..the usual."

"Bella, don't swear."

Daniel just smiles at Mom.

"She's eighteen in a few weeks. Surely she can say shitty?"

I fight a fierce grin when Mom shoots me a look before she focuses back on her dinner. She hates it when I cuss. She wants me to be the perfect baby girl for her.

"Do you want to change schools?" Daniel's voice catches me by surprise.

"There's no need for that. I'm sure I'll fit in eventually."

"If you need anything, your Mom and I are always here for you."

"Thank you."

**

I only have a few classes which come to an end at 1pm. Afterwards, Jade drags me to the cafe where her best friend is waiting for us.

Kara is tall, with beautiful blond hair and piercing eyes. She's wearing a short skirt and heeled boots, and she looks like everything I wanted to look like while I was growing up.

She looks me over when I sit down directly opposite her.

"Bella, right? Jade told me about you."

"What did she say?" I ask in mock suspicion.

"That you're fat and ugly. She obviously lied. I feel outdone, so my disappointment is immeasurable." Kara grins at me when shock takes over my expression. "I'm just joking, Bella. Where are the rest of the Cullens?"

I burst out laughing.

So the Cullens are from Twilight, the one that my Mom is obsessed with.

Kara turns out to be hilarious. She's easygoing and good natured, and it surprises me how easily I take a liking for her. The opinion I had about the kids in this school keeps fluctuating every time I talk to one of them.

We make our orders, and we're digging into our lunch when George calls Jade. He wants to know where she is. When she says we're in the cafeteria, George tells her that they'll be joining us in a few.

We're halfway through the food when they finally show up. Kara gazes at them as they approach before she leans over to whisper to us.

"Kain has no right walking around school looking like that. I could eat the guy alive."

I lean in to whisper back.

"His mouth is full of filth. You don't want to eat that. You'd have an upset stomach for days."

Jade frowns.

"He talked to you?"

"That's one way to put it."

"Why do you say his mouth is filthy? What did he do to you?"

"It's nothing, Jade. Drop it."

"There's definitely something. You have to tell us." Kara insists.

"Or what?" I dare her.

"Or I'll ask Kain." That's Jade.

"You wouldn't!"

"Challenge is accepted." She turns to the boys who are almost upon us. I grit my teeth, trying to catch her attention, but she doesn't even look at me. Kain sits beside Kara who simply swoons while I beg for the earth to open up and swallow me.

First of all, I don't want Kain sitting directly opposite me. He makes me very nervous.

"Hey, Kain, what that filthy mouth do?"

Kain blinks at Jade.

"Huh?"

"What did you say to Bella?"

"He said something to her?" Jay inquires as he turns to me. "Are you okay, shortcake? I mean, I could kill him if you want."

I'm tempted to give Jay the go ahead but I don't, mainly because I'm aware of Kain's eyes on me.

I have no idea why that gets me all flustered.

"Well?" Jade persists.

"What makes you think I said something to her?" He finally asks, turning his attention to Jade.

"She just told us your mouth stinks to high heavens."

George, Jay and Zac burst out laughing.

"She did, didn't she?" Kain chuckles.

Jade narrows her eyes at him.

"Were you mean to her?"

"Maybe."

"Are you gonna fix it?"

"Fix what?"

"Tell us what happened."

"Why don't you just ask her, Jade? She's seated right next to you."

"So something indeed happened and you're choosing not to tell us? You filthy mouthed little-"

The boys burst into fits of laughter, even Kain. I think he's used to Jade making fun of him.

"I'm gonna fix it." Kain says when the laughter dies down.

"Good." Jade nods in approval, then she smiles at me. "Honey, Jay has been stealing fries from your tray since he sat there."

I quickly pull the tray away, then I stand up when Jay lunges for it. There's only one empty spot at the table, so I quickly lower myself onto it before I realize that I'm seated right next to Kain.

I groan.

I'm about to stand up and go back to my seat when he moves very cautiously and steals a fry from my plate.

I turn to look at him as he chews slowly, his eyes on me, gauging my reaction.

I swallow hard.

Kain stands up and picks his bag.

"Guys, I'll see you tomorrow."

Then he's gone.