Chapter 4: Sick With Apprehension
As Lavanya ran home, she unlocked her door and when she got into her house she slammed the door, slowly sliding down and sobbed softly. Momo, her pet chinchilla, came running towards her and squeaked worriedly.
"Momo…" Lavanya called then she quickly stood up and ran to the bathroom. Slamming the bathroom door shut, Momo ran towards the bathroom and started scratching the door until he heard the doorbell ring.
"Lavanya? Are you home?" Steven's voice called behind the door. Momo ran towards the table, jumping up then he jumped onto the door knob, pulling it down and opening the door.
"It opened…" Connie said then both kids heard a soft thud and Momo walked towards them squeaking.
"Momo!"
"Aw, what a cute chinchilla!" Connie said then Momo started circling around.
"Oh, right! Momo where's Lavanya? We wanted to check if she was okay." Steven said then Momo started running towards the bathroom. Connie and Steven followed the chinchilla and when Momo stopped they both heard the toilet flushed and Lavanya slowly opened the door and gasped when she saw the two children.
"Steven, Connie, wh-what are you doing here…?"
"Momo let us in. Lavanya… Are you okay…? You just suddenly froze and then took off…" Steven explained then Lavanya sighed softly.
"I'm fine, Steven… I just… Thought I saw someone… That's all…"
"Is it someone that you're scared of?" Steven asked then Lavanya nodded a bit.
"Forgive me for asking you this, Lavanya… But by any chance do you have… An anxiety disorder?" Connie asked then Lavanya gasped.
"Connie, I don't think you should ask her something like that…"
"It's okay, Steven… Connie… You're quite a smart girl. May I ask how do you know about my disorder…?"
"My mom is a doctor and I came across one of her books she was reading on mental illness. From what I saw Lavanya, you were feeling panicky and just moments ago you felt nausea… Those are common symptoms of anxiety."
"Doctors told me that anxiety disorder wasn't too serious as I grew up. However, my mom and dad were so caring and didn't want me to get hurt. But I did… I did get hurt…"
"Who hurt you, Lavanya…? Was it someone you thought you saw?" Steven asked then Lavanya nodded.
"I thought I saw my ex-boyfriend…" She answered then both Connie and Steven gasped loudly.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend?!"
"Yeah… He was actually my first… He was really sweet… Then one day, he just suddenly changed and I couldn't take it anymore, so I broke up with him."
"Good for you! You don't deserve jerky boyfriends!"
"Steven's right! A girl as pretty as you deserves a gentleman!"
"Maybe even a prince!" Steven suggested his eyes sparkling then Lavanya giggled.
"Thanks for the nice suggestion, but I doubt Prince Charming is gonna be knocking on my front door." She said then the doorbell rang making the blond girl blink. Both Connie and Steven were jumping with excitement but when Lavanya opened the door, right in front of her was the mailman.
"Good afternoon, is there someone by the name of… 'Leh-van-yah'… Hart?"
"I'm Leh-van-yah Hart." Lavanya giggled at the mailman's pronunciation of her first name.
"JAMIE~!" Steven shouted happily as he ran towards the mailman and they both high-fived each other.
"Hey, Steven. Whatcha doing over here?"
"Me and Connie are hanging out with Lavanya and her pet Momo."
"Who's Momo?" The mailman, Jamie, asked then Momo climbed onto Lavanya's shoulder and squeaked.
"This is Momo, my pet chinchilla."
"Oh, wow! I've never seen a chinchilla before. Hey, little buddy." Jamie said as he used his finger to pet Momo. Momo accepted the mailman petting him and Lavanya giggled.
"Oh! That's right. I'm gonna need your signature, Miss Lavanya. It seems you got a package from Mr. and Mrs. Hart."
"Oh! Mom and dad sent me something?" Lavanya asked as she signed the clipboard Jamie gave her then Jamie gave a box to her then Lavanya gave it to Steven and Connie to open.
"You know… You look familiar… Haven't I seen you somewhere?" Jamie asked then Lavanya froze and smiled.
"Nope! I'm just a normal girl living her new life in Beach City!" She said trying to hide her nervousness then Jamie was still looking at her curiously but Lavanya, with no hesitation, immediately closed the door.
"What was that all about?" Steven asked as Lavanya sighed.
"Sorry, just nervous is all. So what did my parents sent me?"
"It looks like a tin can…" Connie said then Steven started shaking it and there was rattling noises inside.
"Oh! Something inside!" He said excitedly then he opened it and there were many different cookies inside.
"COOKIES!" Both Connie and Steven said then Lavanya smiled.
"It's my mom's homemade cookies. They're my favorite and she would always make a whole bunch."
"And she even made them into cute shapes!" Connie said as she held a bunny shape cookie.
"The bunnies are sugar cookies. Chocolate chip are the cats, peanut butter cookies are elephants, oatmeal raisin cookies are flowers, and chocolate cookies are dogs."
"Can I take one of each?" Steven asked then Lavanya smiled.
"Sure. I won't be able to finish all of my mom's homemade cookies. Please, take some with you."
"Wow, thanks Lavanya." Connie said then Momo handed the two children two zip-lock bags. After Steven and Connie had fun playing with Momo, they were about to head back home.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay, Lavanya?"
"I'm very sure Connie. Thank you for your concern. You two get home safe now okay?" Lavanya said then both Steven and Connie waved goodbye to her. When Lavanya closed the door she sighed softly.
"They're such nice kids, huh Momo?" She asked then her chinchilla squeaked and nuzzled his cheek against his owner's cheek.
At night, Jamie couldn't over the thought that he has seen Lavanya somewhere before but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
I know I've seen her from somewhere! But where? Where?! Jamie thought then he pulled out his cellphone and started typing the name "Levanya Hart". Suddenly the first top three results all say "Lala Heart" and the mailman gasped dramatically.
THAT'S IT! He thought his eyes sparkling with excitement.