During the next morning, I woke up in a good mood. Now that I know all secrets are open, I'm finally at peace. I put on a black pair of jeans, a violet halter top blouse, a dark gray long sleeves bolero, and a pair of violet flats. My mullet hair is raised in a ponytail with a few strands falling along with my bangs. I went down to the kitchen to have breakfast. I saw Caleb and Sam along with my mom, dad, and James. I quickly sat beside Caleb and grinned.
"Good morning!" I said cheerfully.
Caleb looked at me as if he's trying to read my mind. But he smiled back at me, "Uh, good morning too. It looks like you woke up on the right side of the bed. You don't usually approach me. It's creepy"
I gave him a very-funny look and poured some grape juice on my glass, "Well, you better appreciate my nice attitude"
As we ate, the other and gorgeous lodger, Caius arrived. He's wearing a black shirt and a pair of white board shorts. He looks sleepy when he arrived.
"Good morning" he greeted us all.
We all said good morning.
"I'll just go over to the diner" he shared and left.
When he left, I went back to my food and I noticed the look on Caleb's face. As if there's something about Caius that he doesn't like. I moved closer so that my parents wouldn't hear what I'm about to say.
"Why, what's wrong? Is Caius some kind of a demon?"
Caleb shook his head and looked down on the scrambled egg on his plate, "I don't know, I just don't like him. Please, be very careful around him"
All I did was nod.
After eating, Caleb and Sam left to talk with James. James hasn't really heard his full story and he kept nagging the two. I, on the other hand, went to the diner to see how grandpa and Percy are doing. When I went in, the place is slightly crowded. There are a lot of customers who are going on their way to either Nevada or California. I looked around and saw Caius sitting just near the window, looking so depress and lonely. I know that Caleb doesn't want me going near him or anything but, he haven't really given me a good reason why. I gathered up my courage and I approached him. He looked up at me, startled.
"Mind if I sit here?" I asked, pointing at the chair across him.
Caius smiled and nodded, "Sure"
I took a sit and leaned my elbows on the table and observed his face. He looks so angelic; I won't be surprised if he's also an angel.
"Do you believe in God or in angels?" I suddenly just asked.
Caius smirked and looked at me strangely, "Sorry to disappoint you but, I don't believe those things after my parents died. I'm an atheist"
"I'm so sorry about your parents, I didn't know" I said sincerely.
Caius shrugged his shoulder and smiled, "Don't worry; it's been a long time now. I'm pretty used to it"
"So, you live alone or do you have relatives?"
"Uh, I live alone. I don't want to be a burden to anyone."
"Well, how do you survive? I mean, how do you get money or where do you live"
He looked out on the desert as he tells me everything, "My parents left a lot of money before they died and I bought an apartment with it. I also do a bit of part time jobs when I don't have school"
"When you first arrived here in the diner, you were wearing a suit. Were you in some kind of a prom or gathering?"
He is still looking at the desert as if he's for something or someone to appear, "Yeah, it was some kind of a farewell party to a royal friend of mine"
Wow, he has a royal friend. I wouldn't be surprised because he always look elegant and classy. I think Caleb's suspicions are wrong. I mean, this guy doesn't have a hint of badness in him. He seems to be a normal guy and not to mention, a very good looking one. All of a sudden, he grabbed my hand. My heart starts to pound aggressively and my cheeks and ears start to heat up. His touch is electrifying and those pair of dark brown eyes is very enchanting.
"It's been awhile since we last talked" he told me with a husky voice.
I gulped as I nodded, "Y-yeah, I've been around Caleb most of the time"
"Your boyfriend must be very overprotective"
"H-he's not my boyfriend"
Caius eyes seemed to twinkle when I said that. "Does that mean that I have chance?"
My voice cracked when I answered, "W-what?"
Is this for real or is this some kind of jackass joke?
Caius played with my hand and grinned, "Honestly, I have a crush on you since I first met you. I was very excited when your grandpa let me stay as a lodger"
Ugh, my dream is coming true! But, I don't think I'm not even ready to be in a relationship. I don't have any experiences or some sort. All I've had are crushes and that's it. I pulled my hand away from him and forced a smile on my face.
"That's very flattering of you, Caius" I said as I blush, "But, I'm not sure that I'm ready to be in a relationship"
And hello, I'm only sixteen and he's eighteen. I think he's too mature enough for me. But that's the maximum age of the guy I'd like to date but, I'm not sure if Caius is the one.
"I could wait" Caius replied very determined. "Until you're ready, I can prove that I'm good for you"
I didn't know what to say anymore. Good thing that dad came to the rescue. He called for me and told me that he and mom want to talk to me.
"See you later" I told Caius and left.
Dad and I walked out of the crowded diner and walked back to the house. The day is very sunny and windy. I looked down as I walk and avoided the sun from burning my eyes.
"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.
"You'll find out" was all he said.
Oh my God, are they finally going to tell me their real identities? I'm so psyched and at the same time, nervous. When we arrived in the house, we headed straight to their room. Mom is sitting on the bed wearing a yellow sundress. I accompanied her on sitting while dad sits on the chair beside the desk.
"Am I in trouble because of yesterday?" I asked.
Mom chuckled and looked at dad, "That's another matter but, that's not what we're talking about today"
"What is it then?"
I'm ninety nine point five percent sure that they're going to tell me the truth.
"Well, we want to ask you about school" she said.
"What about school? Did the nuns told you anything?" I asked.
"Err, no. We just want to ask you if you're having a good time in school"
"You've been complaining about school every vacation about the nuns being too strict" dad added, "So, we want to ask you if you want to transfer to another school"
Transfer to another school? Ever since I was enrolled in the Academy, I've been nagging my parents about transferring me to school. I've heard about this high school in Malibu where it's just across the beach. I've always wanted to apply there. But if you ask me now, I don't want to transfer to another school. I already have friends and I have fun annoying those nuns.
"It's okay, guys. I like the academy now" I said with a smile. "And I'm safer there"
Not only because of the nuns but, also because of Caleb.
Mom felt relieved with my decision and caresses my cheek, "I'm happy with your decision, abbey. I really do think you're safer there"
After talking to me, I excused myself and left their room. As I was about to turn around, I nearly bumped into Caleb. We were just a few inches away from each other and we both smiled.
"I'm sorry, didn't see you there" I said nervously.
He smiled showing off all his pearly white teeth. "It's all right and I'm pretty happy you're staying in the academy"
"Will you be staying there until graduation?" I asked, sort of hoping he would say yes.
"I'll always be around wherever you are" he said and winked as he left.