When we arrived home, it was around 3 p.m. Abigail was dusting the living room. She looked confused when she saw us.
— Is everything okay? — she asked.
— There was a problem at school, but everything's fine now — my dad replied. — Abigail, take her to her room. I have a meeting in a few minutes. Once I'm done, I'll come back — he said, checking his watch.
— Yes, sir. Come on, sweetheart — Abigail said, placing her hand on my back and guiding me toward my room.
When we got to my room, I told Abigail everything, and she was stunned.
— I'm gonna take a shower and do some research for my History project.
— All right, Mia, but… what about Chad? He's cute — I noticed the way you talked about him — Abigail teased.
I just smiled and headed to the bathroom.
— Your dad is jealous, you know, Mia? — she joked.
Turning back, I said:
— Maybe you know more about that than I do.
She stared at me, incredulous, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at me. I closed the bathroom door just in time, and the pillow hit the door.
I had already noticed the chemistry between my dad and Abigail. She would make a great stepmother. Maybe I should give them a little push.
After my shower, Emma sent me a message:
— Let's go shopping, I'm so bored here.
I thought, "That would be fun!", but remembered I hadn't asked my dad. I replied we could go on Saturday. She agreed with an emoji.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on my research. I was distracted with my headphones on, when someone suddenly pulled them off. I turned — it was my dad.
— Hi, Dad.
— Hi, sweetheart — he said. — 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 it hit me: Brandon! I forgot to cancel…
— Dad, I forgot to cancel.
— Cancel something that shouldn't have been scheduled in the first place?
I glanced at the clock — 7:10 p.m.
— I already sent him away. I hope this doesn't happen again.
I stood frozen, embarrassed.
— Come down for dinner now — he said, irritated.
I followed him. Abigail wasn't there — maybe she didn't want to show up again.
— Dad, can I go shopping with Emma on Saturday?
— As long as it's during the day, you don't get home late, and it's just you and Emma.
— Of course. Thank you.
After dinner, I went out by the pool to read. Suddenly I saw a shadow behind a tree — a man running to the street. My heart skipped. I threw my book on the table so hard it fell. I rushed inside.
— Dad, someone's been lurking around the house since yesterday! These houses with no walls or gate… this place is dangerous!
I spoke so fast I couldn't even think straight. My dad held my arms:
— Calm down, Mia. Let's go check.
— No — I protested.
He went anyway. I waited anxiously until he came back — holding my book, soaked.
— Sweetheart, books don't need to refresh.
— But… it didn't fall in the pool! — I said confused. — This is a library book!
— I'll pay for it. Don't worry. Go rest. There was no one outside.
I could barely sleep. Could it be Brandon? But why?A thousand questions chased me into sleep.
The next day, I went straight to the library — maybe to explain the book… or maybe just to see Chad…
He smiled when he saw me.
— Good morning, Mia. Feeling better?
— Yes. But the book got all wet — fell into the pool.
He laughed.
— I'm serious! What do I do?
— Don't worry, I have one. I'll replace it — he said, smiling.
— Really?
— Yes — a favor for a nice girl.
I got all flustered.
— MIA! Found you! — Emma shouted. — You're such a nerd, you love libraries!
Before leaving, I looked back:
— Thanks, Chad.
He nodded. Outside, Emma nudged me:
— What kind of flirting was that?
— You're imagining things.
— Sure you're not…
During class, I kept thinking about Chad…He is so handsome… tall… brown hair and brown eyes…He looks like such a good guy… sweet eyes…I had never thought so much about a boy before.
The school day was perfect. Katty got suspended for 3 days — deserved.Wender didn't show up — even better.
In History class:
— We have to go to my place to work on the project — Emma said.
Adam nodded.
— Let's go to my house. I didn't ask permission to go out — I suggested.
— Okay — she agreed.
After the bell:
— Go with your driver. Adam is going with me. We'll follow you — Emma said.
— Okay.
At the parking lot, Chad was putting on his helmet. When he saw me, he walked over.
— Mia, great! I wanted to talk to you.
Emma and Adam watched closely.
— I wanted to invite you to go bowling on Saturday.
— My dad won't let me — I said.
Emma jumped in:
— Aren't we going shopping? I'll stay over and we'll find a way to sneak out!
— I don't want to get you in trouble — Chad said, smiling.
— Then it's settled — Emma said. — Give him your number.
Chad handed me his phone, and I typed it in.
— Bye, Adam and Emma.
He kissed my cheek.
— Bye, Mia.
Emma pulled me.
— Come on! We have a huge project!
At home:
— I'll bring you some snacks — Abigail said.
We went upstairs.
— Are we sure this isn't Katty's room? — Adam laughed.
Emma giggled. I frowned.
— My dad decorated it.
— Right, Barbie — he teased.
I would get revenge eventually.
Emma got a call:
— Guys, I have to go. My mom wants me to meet her.
She left us to finish the project.
A storm was forming outside…Suddenly my dad arrived, clearing his throat.
— Alone with a boy in your room… I thought this would take another ten years — he grumbled.
— We're doing a project.
— Do it in the office or the living room. And I don't want this happening again.
— We're just friends, sir — Adam said.
— Of course you are — otherwise you wouldn't be alive — my dad shot back.
— Dad, he's dating Emma. Chill — I lied.
Adam stared at me like: Really?
— I should go — he muttered.
— No way. Look at that storm — my dad said. — Give me your mom's number. You're staying here.
Later, watching a movie in the living room, Adam froze, staring outside.
— What is it? — I asked.
— Someone walked by…
— I've noticed someone lurking around here — I started saying.
He cut me:
— Where are the knives?
— In the kitchen — I whispered, paralyzed.
He ran.
— Stay here. Don't go outside.
Before I could react — he was gone.
Then — a scream.Glass shattering.
— DAAAAAAD! — I yelled.
My dad ran downstairs, Abigail too. They grabbed my shoulders:
— What happened? What was that?
But I couldn't answer — because I didn't know either.