About halfway to the doors, Noah caught up beside me and I did a sideways glance toward him. "Did you hear that there's this weird man lurking around town?" He smirked. "They say he kidnaps kids," he mentioned casually as he finished off his sentence, putting his hands in his pockets. I slowed down a bit and snorted a little at the information he was providing.
"Trying to scare me? 'Cause if you are, it ain't working, but nice try."
Noah looked at me with a serious expression. "Actually, it's true...And yes, I do try every once in a while. Thank you for noticing."
I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool, because yes, I have heard of this man and he has put everyone in this town on guard. People barely come out of their homes unless necessary anymore. It's pretty insane if you ask me. "Can't believe everything you hear, Squirt. "I started to walk a little faster, but of course, he picked up his pace as well.
"He's near you know? Hanging around the school, looking for some kids to kidnap." He grinned and leaned closer, dropping his voice to a mere whisper. "Maybe if we're lucky, we'll get kidnapped."
I stopped and my eyes widened. Did he really just say what I heard him say? I spun around to face him, fighting the urge to slap him. "And how the hell would that make us lucky?" I asked him, exasperated and shocked that he would even say such a thing. I mean, I knew he was a little psychotic, but this crossed the line.
He shrugged, trying to hide the smile on his face. He knew he freaked me out and was majorly proud with the accomplishment. I almost groaned in frustration, but I decided against it. Never will I give him more satisfaction that he already felt. "I was just joking around... Sheesh." He then began to walk away, but for once, I didn't want follow. I crossed my way over to a nearby tree along the concrete walkway and slowly slid along the bark and watched everyone talk with their friends.
The bell rang, announcing to everyone that school was about to start. Reluctantly, I got up and trudged inside, heading towards my first class.
~
After four torturing classes, I ended up sitting alone at my usual table, poking at the disgusting slop that's supposed to be spaghetti. Sighing, I pushed it out a little of the way, making room for my arms. The bustling of the lunchroom echoed against my skull as everyone talked about how stupid teachers are and someone’s hair and blah, blah, blah. All the things in life that never mattered.
"Hey beautiful."
Shit.
I looked over to see Adam sit down in a chair next to me. This pervert is constantly flirting with me and can't take a hint that I am not interested. He gave me a grin that went from one side of his face to the other and I had to force myself not to shudder in distaste." Don't call me that." I adverted my gaze to the election posters for next years ASB office, pretending to be interested in them. From the corner of my eye, I catch him shrug and smile a little.
"Okay then, pretty girl."
I sighed inwardly and grabbed my tray, standing up and scanned for another empty table. It took a while, but I finally found one at the other end of the cafeteria and started walking towards it. Please don't follow me, please don't follow me.... The same four words echoed in my head until they were rudely interrupted by the voice of a man whore.
"W-wait! Gorgeous where are you going?" Adam stuttered, yelling after me and I winced slightly feeling some stares.
Pausing my feet for a moment, I glanced over my shoulder and replied slightly irritated. "Away from you. Isn't it obvious?" I came to the table and set my tray down. As I pulled the chair out, something had caught my eye. Looking over, there's Noah eating alone. I frowned. Where are your friends stupid?
Picking up my tray once again, I walked over and sat down across from him. "Hey, Squirt."
He looked up from his tray slightly confused. If I blinked, I wouldn't have saw the expression that gave it away for he quickly wiped it from his face. "Hey. What are you doing over here?"
I glanced over my shoulder and looked at the cause and shivered as he locked his gaze onto mine. I turned away. "Getting away from Adam. What are you doing alone?"
Noah shrugged and stuck his fork in his slop. "Apparently I'm hated by my friends."
I rolled my eyes. "Do I dare ask?" Giving my food a resented look, I finally just dumped it in the trash next to me.
"I don't know what I did. All I know is I'm better off a loner anyway."
I sighed and looked at him seriously. "Well, you can make some new ones. Can't be a loner forever you know." He nodded, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't really listening to me. "Do I really have to go out of my way to make sure you find at least one friend?" I asked, a little teasingly.
Noah smiled a little at this and shook his head. "Nah, you don't. I'll get a new friend whenever I get the chance."
Smirking, I ruffled his hair. "Fine. But if you don't make one by mid-semester next year, I will force you to be social."
Noah rolled his eyes before looking down at his hands as he played with his pen. After a while of silence, his eyes looked toward the direction of Mr. Cant Take A Clue. "So this Adam guy is trying to get in your pants, huh?"
My smirk slowly faded away and I shook my head. "Who knows what he's trying to do."
Noah shivered slightly and looked back at me. "He isn't your type anyway. He's too much of a popular guy," he stated mater of fact with a roll of his eyes. "I'd rather not be popular. It doesn't make a difference to me."
"Oh I know right. Having pretty much everyone fall at your feet and wish to be you. Its just..." I cut myself off, making a gag face to emphasize how much it repulsed me.
Noah laughed. "Exactly."
The bell rang and the whole room erupted in irritated moans. I got up from my chair as Noah dumped his plate. "Well, I will see you outside after school!" A small smile spread across my face in a goodbye and I walked off to finish the day.
~
Looking at my watch, I sighed. I've been waiting for Noah for five minutes now and he still hasn't showed up. What gives? He was just as anxious for school to be out as me. And if you don't know how anxious that is, well then you obviously were a nerd. Finally, I see his brown headed face walking through the crowd and walk up beside me.
"Ugh sorry. Teacher stuffed us with homework."
I laughed and shook my head. "It's alright. I called Dad. He should be here in about 15 minutes..." He nodded and we sat down on the stone hedges that lined the walkway going toward the school's metal doorways.
"At least its almost summer break." Noah broke the silence as he watched everyone being the social butterflies they were, adding more drama to what already existed. I'm sure you noticed that we were more of the social outcasts in this school. Not that we really minded, but sometimes it felt lonely when you realize that you're not really wanted. Oh well. I still have my best friend, Caleb.
It's funny how we even became friends. He has always been part of the in crowd and yet he chose me as a friend. Some people despise him for that, but he just shrugged it off and it makes me happy. He was like the bestest friend I could ever have. Anyway, I realized I never said what I wanted to about Noah's comment and I snapped back into reality.
"Oh thank god!"
"But the bad thing is, the teachers are like devils. They keep on adding more and more homework. It's almost like they're trying to kill us before summer even begins!" He added on, not realizing my moment lost in thought.
"Like always, but don't worry. We will finish before we die and then we can enjoy the two months of doing whatever we please."
Noah nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving something. I looked over to see what he was staring at, but all I saw were people. I looked back at him. "What are you looking at?"
He pointed over to where I was checking out. "That man is creeping me out. I think he is a pedo..." He whispered and I looked over again, seeing a man with brown hair and light brown eyes with an afternoon shadow. The man turned his head and locked his eyes on mine and fear gripped my stomach.
"Uh, Carrie? You alright? You seem paler than usual, if that's even possible," Noah asked uncertainly.
"Huh?" I turned my head back to Noah, breaking the gaze. Even though I couldn't see him anymore, I could feel his stare burning a hole through my head. Noah snapped in front of my face.
"Earth to Carrie! Dad's waiting for us."
I looked to the side and there indeed was Dad's black car. Sighing in relief, I walked over to the car, checking to where I last saw the man. But he was no longer there. Shrugging it off, I climbed into the passenger seat, tucking my bag beneath my feet.
Dad smiled at us as Noah climbed into the back. "Have fun at school you two?" He asked us as he started driving home. I rolled my eyes. Yes, because school is the best thing ever.
"Yeah, it was fine." I turned my head and saw the man once again. He turned his head and stared into my soul and I tensed up uncomfortably.
"That's... Something wrong?" My father's voice was coated with concern as he looked at me. Debating whether I should tell him or not, I shook my head and smiled reassuringly.
"Nope everything is just fine."
Dad eyed me, not quite believing, but not completely doubting either. He nodded as he accepted my answer. "So, you two have any homework?"
From the back, Noah let out a loud sigh. "I do."
"Me too." Then I hesitated. Frowning, I dug through my bag and shrugged slightly. "And it looks like I left it in my locker."
Next to me, Dad sighed and shook his head slightly. "You're off the hook... Just this time," he said grimly, obviously not thrilled he just did that. I smiled sweetly and planted a kiss on his cheek, earning a small smile.
"Thank you daddy!"
"Awe, I want no homework!" Noah whined.
"Sorry son, but you're doing your homework," Dad replied with a smirk.
I laughed and ruffled Noah's hair. "Don't worry, it'll be over in no time."
He swatted my hand away and leaned back grouchily with his arms crossed. "Not fair."
"Life ain't fair bud. Just gotta get over it."
"True that," I agreed with a nod.
"Well I got some new for you kids. Your mom and I agreed that we will go on a retreat once school gets out. Sad news is, she'll be working so it'll just be us for a change." He looked thoughtful for a second and then smiled slightly. "It will be fun. Me with you two."
"Uhm, I guess it all depends on what we do," I said teasingly.
"I don't know about you guys, but I plan on using you as my pillows," Dad grinned and turned a corner.
"Awe come on!" Noah and I complained in sync.
"You're gonna have to catch me before you do that," I looked at him seriously.
"Awe, but don't you miss curling up with your daddy?" He asked sweetly.
"That's Mom's job. Always has been," I laughed and dad smiled.
"Well I happen to like my kids curling up with me. You may think it's embarrassing, but I think it's nice."
"Carrie," Noah popped his head in between the seats and looked at me. "You do have to admit, Dad is pretty comfy."
I giggled and looked between the two. "Yeah, guess I can't argue with that."
Dad chuckled a little while pulling into the two car garage. "Home sweet home."
Noah and I quickly grabbed our bags and entered the house. I ran up into my bedroom and belly flopped onto bed burying my face into my fur pillow. I heard the door close and I turned to face Noah who looked at my walls and shrugged. "At least your room ain't pink."
My face masked into a horrified expression. "Good god I would die if it were pink!"
Noah laughed and sat in my desk chair and looked at me seriously, spinning a little using his toes. "Should we tell dad?"
I stiffened which was incredibly noticeable. Relaxing a little, I sighed. "I've been thinking about it, but I'm not sure. What do you think?"
"Remember when that guy kept following you because he had like, this mega crush on you and Dad never let you out of the house?"
I chuckled and nodded. "Yeah that was horrible. So I take it we don't tell?"
Noah looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. "I say if it gets worse, then we tell."
"Sounds good to me," I smiled a little with a single nod. "So whatcha got for homework?"
He groaned and spun around once. "Math, science, English...." His voice drifted. I rolled my eyes.
"Well what are you waiting for boy? Get to it!" I laughed and clapped my hands as he grumbled under his breath and exited my room. I sighed and sat back on my bed, staring at my blue ceiling. Will I ever be able to forget that man? Was he the kidnapper and did I just become his next victim?
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