F O U R
The man from The Rouge was following me. The group had parted ways once we we done eating, and the man had come out of the restaurant right after us. He followed me all the way to my house before I entered, and for all I know he could still be watching.
I hadn't told Dad or Susan for two reasons. One, they wouldn't believe me.' Hey, by the way, this guy walked into the The Rouge right after me and my friends and then walked out right after us. He followed me to our house but I don't know if he's still here.' That sounds stupid.
Two, if I told them, I'd also have to explain why I was out with friends having fun when I was grounded. I mean, they'd be mad enough that I was playing in the snow. Lunch is a whole other thing.
So I played the good girl. I played with my brother, made hot coca, used my manners, did the chores, and behaved. I even agreed to help Susan pick out the dress she was going to wear at our New Year's party.
When the old grandfather clock in the entryway rang ten times, I dutifully brushed my teeth and got in my pajamas-An overlarge Green Day Tee and Liberty High School sweatpants- before plopping in bed with my iPod on quietly while I read a book.
Once the household sounded asleep, I climbed out of bed. Tiptoe-ing downstairs, I opened the door.
There he was.
His form was hidden in a long, black rain coat. He wore a baseball cap. He was staring at my bedroom window. Or he was, before his head turned to look at me.
I shut the door quickly, than ran down another fleet of stairs and into the guest room.
Pulling my iPod out of my sweats, I turned it up loud enough that I couldn't hear anything else, but quiet enough to keep everyone asleep.
Then I sat on the bed, my knees bent, feet touching, hands on my knees with palms upwards, and hummed quietly to the songs.
I always did this when I was frightened, stressed, angry, or overwhelmed.
Lost in the music, I didn't realize that it was day until I opened my eyes and saw the hallway light on through the cracks in the door.
I paused my iPod and went upstairs, to find that it was 6:47, Tuesday, and that I was going to be late for school.
"Crap."