Chapter2
1069 Words
I parked my bicycle close to the parking lot and bent over to chain the bicycle to the rail but for some reason, it was giving me a tough time.
Oh dammit, I thought, frustrated.
I was about to give up when I heard someone call my name.
”Mary?"
I knew that voice. It was the voice of my best friend: Carly Davis. We have been best of friends since grade 7. She wasn't nerdy like I was. She was the direct opposite of me.
She had long hair, smooth skin, beautiful features, and her fashion sense was rather...out there. Who would think Carly Davis would hang out with a nerd like me? I mean all the high school celebrities want to hang out with her.
Carly's parents were wealthy people. Wealthy enough to own a mansion; no jokes, you could get lost in their house. Carly has a big brother who I find attractive—not that he cares. He was one of the school hotties and a bit of a bad boy.
Back to Carly, she doesn't come to school on a bicycle as I do. She does not need to. She has her driver who takes her to school every day.
”Carly?" I said, standing up, "It seems we're both late for practice today."
"We may get eaten by the rest of the team," Carly said laughing.
We fell in step, talking and laughing about the just-ended summer break till we got into the practice hall. Remember when I said we were divided into the popular dance squad and nerdy squad? Okay, confession, I'm on the popular team, all thanks to Carly Davis. She gets full credit for that.
”Hey, loser!" Someone said. It was the most popular b***h, Tracie. She finds joy in picking on me.
"You don't have the right to call her a loser," Carly stood up for me.
"Carly, you know if not for your boyfriend, Mark, you wouldn't be here with this loser you call a friend," Tracie said.
”But then again you are the loser," Carly said, "At least I have a boyfriend. Who's yours? Oh, wait you don't have one. All you do is sleep around with another girl's boyfriend. Don't you know what they call you? Slut."
I felt relieved when Mark showed up. He immediately went over to Carly and gave her a long French kiss which made Tracie angry. I bet he did it on purpose.
Everybody in school knew Tracie had a huge crush on Mark Robin Hood. Everyone including the teachers.
Embarrassed and annoyed, she stomped off.
In no time practice was over, we all went into the locker room to shower and change.
"Mary, would you mind dropping by at my house?" Carly asked.
"Carly, you know I would love to...but I didn't get permission from Lillian," I said.
"Okay, okay, okay. It's fine. Next time?"
”Yes, your majesty," I said with a mock bow.
Carly left with Mark as I left for my shift at the bakery where I worked. I entered the bakery to find Mr. Dolce about leaving. Mr. Dolce was the owner of the bakery.
”Mr. Dolce," I said, "I'm sorry I'm late."
”You should thank Romeo," Mr dolce said, "He covered for you."
I entered the kitchen to seek out Romeo.
”I am so sorry Romeo," I said.
”A cup of coffee and we're even," Romeo said.
”Okay. Coffee. As friends," I said.
”It isn't a date?" he asked.
”No," I said hitting him on the shoulder.
”Ouch!" he yelled, "That hurt."
"Sorry," I said insincerely. "But you can leave now."
Romeo removed his apron and handed it over to me.
"I will text you the address," Romeo said.
”Sure," I said.
My shift was over by 8:00 pm. I cleaned up and arranged the kitchen as I prepared to leave. I remembered Romeo's promise to text me and I searched my trousers pockets before I realized I left my phone at home.
Ah, shit... I facepalmed and groaned at my thoughtlessness.
I locked up, stuffing the key in my trouser pocket before I began my journey down to the grocery store on my bicycle to get bananas for my muffins.
I got home much later and noticed Dad's car was out of sight. It was already late, where did he go?
There was a strange car that looked new with a shiny paint job parked at the garage. Maybe Dad has gotten a new car!
I pushed the doorknob and the door gladly opened which was weird because Lilian was always late due to her work but maybe Dad had missed locking the door.
I dropped the grocery bag on the counter and immediately went in search of my phone. I found it in my room. There were several text messages from Romeo. The first one read: MARGARET'S COFFEE DELIGHT AT STREET DUNAMIS.
Next,
Romeo: hey mary I have been waiting at the address I sent you. Are you all alright?
Romeo: Mary?
Romeo: I am coming over to your place?
That was the last message. I clicked on reply and typed,
Mary: I am so sorry Romeo I left my phone at home. Just got home. Can we have the coffee some other time, please?
I dropped my phone on the bed as I left the room to move the content of my bag into the fridge.
Then I heard footsteps.
"Who is there? Anyone home?" I asked. But I got no answers.
I turned around to find a giant figure behind me, I took the knife from the counter.
"Don't come any closer," I warned.
Why was there no much light in here?
”Derick?”
As I heard my step-mom's voice, I hid the knife behind me.
”Mary, you're back!" she said.
”Ye-yeah Lilian," I stammered.
”Oh my, Derick go put on some clothes and don't scare Baby Mary like that," Lillian said.
Until then I hadn't fully paid attention to the fact that he wasn't putting on a shirt. My mouth was left open.
”I told you my son Derick was going to start living with us," Lillian reminded.
"Oh yes, I remember! I think work was hectic that I had forgotten," I said. I felt embarrassed as I ran to my room and closed the door behind me.
This was going to be harder than I thought.
- Writer
