Snack, snack, snack.... And nothing! Of course.
I slammed the fridge door in frustration and moved to the pantry. It was pretty much bone dry in there with only a box of popcorn and some easy to make noodle dinners. I sighed and took out the popcorn. Looking over, I saw Dad flipping through the channels and an idea popped into my head.
"Wanna watch a movie?"
"What movie did you have in mind?" He asked with a glance over at me. I shrugged.
"Dunno. There's just never anything interesting on TV. I guess whatever you wanna watch." I shrugged again as I unwrapped the plastic from the popcorn bag and shoved the bag in the microwave. Slamming my finger on the popcorn button, I walked in the living room and sat next to the man.
He smiled slightly. "Whatever you want to watch. I'm good."
"You're such a guy," I huffed loudly. "Fine, just let me get movie ready." I made my way upstairs and took my time changing into my black pajama shorts and black camisole tank top. Bounding down the stairs, I took the popcorn out from the microwave and poured it into a bowl. My feet moved me into the living room and I placed the bowl on the coffee table and got on my knees in front of the movie box. Humming, I scanned through the choices and found what I was looking for. The Ultimate Gift. Cutest movie ever!
I slid the CD into the player and plopped down on the couch, grabbing the popcorn bowl in the process. I frowned a little and looked at Dad. "Do you think Noah deserves a little homework break?"
He chuckled and looked up. "Noah, come down here and watch the movie with us!" He shouted at the top of his lungs and I laughed, covering my ears. A few minutes later, I heard Noah's running feet come above our heads and down the stairs. He jumped in between us, making our bodies bounce a little. "Don't mind if I do!"
I laughed and Dad joined me. "Looks like someone is on the excited side of the mood spectrum. Popcorn?" I held out the bowl and both boys took a handful, Dad shoving it all into his mouth just so he could wrap us up with his arm. I took a handful myself and started to eat it as I heard the garage open. Dropping it back in the bowl, I smiled. "Mom's home!"
Dad nodded and looked back as Mom walked in the door. "Hey hun, how was work?"
"Long." She laughed and set her keys down. "Kids, can you help with the groceries please?"
"But the movie was fixing to start!" Noah complained, pointing at the screen with both hands. Dad rolled his eyes and shoved him a little. "Go help her with the groceries kids."
"Alright, alright. Make sure you pause it! My favorite movie," I grumbled the last part as Noah and I made our way to the garage. Luckily for us, Mom had already opened the trunk. The unlucky part is, there was an absolute shit ton of bags. I muttered quietly to myself as Noah took as much as he possibly could and ran upstairs. I grabbed the rest of the bags and turned, just about to close the trunk when something caught my eye. Or should I say someone.
The strange man was across the street, watching my every move, arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against someone's mailbox. His eyes locked onto mine and I froze for a second before quickly walking towards the house door, pushing the button for the garage to close. I hurriedly dumped the bags on the table and grabbed Noah's ear, dragging him into the dining room.
"Ow! What do you want? I need to close the trunk because I know you didn't. You never-"
"The man is out there!" I whispered harshly, glaring at my little brother.
"What?" Noah's eyes widened so much, I was afraid they were gonna pop out of his nut brain head. "How did he find us?"
"How am I supposed to know?" I sighed and ran a hand through my dark hair and looked out the window. The man looked over at me with a small smirk and I froze once again, unable to break the stare.
"Is someone out there?"
I jumped and turned around with a hand over my chest. My heart pounded against my rib cage and I was surprised that it wasn't bursting out." Oh, I just thought I saw a bird crash into the window. Must have been my imagination," I lied weakly. Dad narrowed his eyes and shoved me away from the window. He looked out and I could see the man casually walking away. Dad turned toward me faster than any ninja would be able to accomplish and looked at the both of us with unbelievable seriousness.
"Okay, who the hell was that?!"
I shrunk down against the wall, avoiding eye contact with him. "I wish we knew..."
"What's going on?" Mom came walking in, confusion clearly written across her face. Dad looked at her. The fury from his expression dimmed a little, but it was still there. "There's a man following our children."
Mom gasped and looked at me. "How long has this been going on?"
Glimpsing over at Noah, I nodded once. "Wanna take a turn?"
Noah looked down at his shoes, his arms connected behind his back. "It started today."
"And before you guys say anything, we were planning on telling you, it's just-" I was cut off.
"And you didn't tell us. You two should have known better! You should have told me right away." The fury was back in his eyes and it was directed at me. I refused to shrink anymore than I already have. Never would I act so weak.
"Well, we weren't sure if he actually was following us. It's better to confirm your facts before telling so that way you don't worry for no reason."
Dad closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with the tips of his fingers. "No school for the both of you. I will be contacting the principal and inform him that there is a man following my children. No going outside either, at least not alone. You must have me or Mom with you. Do I make myself clear?" He looked at us.
Slouching my shoulders a little more, Noah and I both nodded. "Yes sir..."
Mom stood there awkwardly, and quietly excused herself to start putting away the groceries. Noah and I followed as Dad whipped his phone out and dialed the school’s number furiously.
I sighed and shoved the milk onto the top shelf in the fridge. "I wonder how long we're going to be on lock down this time."
Noah shrugged and handed me the eggs before turning to Mom. "You so need to get us an Xbox360 or a PS3... Or something like that."
She looked at us for a moment before going back and replacing the old spices with the new ones. "You are going to have to talk to your father about that. I mean, I wouldn't mind, but your dad..." She gave us a knowing look and Noah protested with a heavy exhale.
Mom smiled and gave a kiss on the top of Noah's head. "If you guys are fine taking care of the rest, I'm going to take a nap." And she retreated up the stairs. I leaned against the counter gloomily. "What are we going to do?"
Noah looked at me with a faint smile. "I don't know."
Dad's voice came drifting into the kitchen. "Hell no! I will not calm down until I see no man following my children!"
We both shared a look and had to keep from chuckling. I smiled and pushed myself up so I sat on the counter surface. "You know, I wouldn't mind getting a PS3. Something worth spending my money on."
"Well, Dad would have to think about it. He doesn't buy anything unless we really need it or have a good reason. My reason, family entertainment. That's important," he exclaimed in a serious, but playful tone.
I smirked and pulled a big wad of cash out from my pocket and waved it in front of his face. "True that, but he can't stop us if we use our own money."
Noah eyed the money with slight amusement masking itself on his face. "And how did you get that? Did you have sex with people for money?"
I raised my eyebrow and slid the money back into my pocket. "For your information, I'm still a virgin and prostitution is illegal. I've been saving up since I was 7 and I guess you could say I've gotten a part time job and got a couple hundred from that. So, what do you say?"
He grinned and shrugged slightly. "Sure, but what game?"
"We can choose when we get there. And then there's the problem of actually getting there. I could drive, but that would be very bad. We could get Mom to drive, but she's always busy and tired. And then there's- nope never mind. Can't believe I almost considered it."
"Or, we could ask Dad to drive us there tomorrow," Noah said sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes and hopped down. "Whatever floats your boat, smart ass. I say for now, we go watch the movie we never started."
"You know, as much as I want to, I don't think we can with Dad yelling at the principal."
I giggled. "I got this." I took in a big breath and I let it out. "Dad, do you mind taking it outside so we can do something entertaining with our lives?" I yelled as loud as I could and Noah started laughing his head off. I grinned. I was happy to see him laugh like that again. It's been a while.
I heard the cell phone close and the thumps of his footfalls. "Alright, I'm done. Now how about we watch the movie?"
Looking over a Noah, I snorted and looked back at dad. "Well, if you insist!"
We all went back to the couch in the same positions as before. Halfway though the movie, I ate half the popcorn already and my eyes widened." Guys! I can't get fat by myself you know!"
Dad chuckled and grabbed a handful and Noah followed the lead. I nodded, feeling better and shoved the bowl into Noah's lap. He growled quietly, but obliged and ate away at the buttery snack.
The end of the movie came soon afterward and all the noise that was going on came from Noah. I looked over to see him snoring peacefully on Dad's arm and I laughed.
"Shh, don't wake him Carrie."
"Sorry." I grinned.
Dad rolled his eyes and gestured with his free hand. "C'mere."
I sighed and moved over next to him. He kissed my forehead and gave me a small squeeze. "Goodnight sweetie."
A small smile crossed my lips at the affection he was showing at this moment. "Night, daddy." It's been a while since I had called him that, but for some reason, it just felt right. The word was almost comforting as it came from my mouth.
I got up and climbed the stairs into the bathroom and got ready for bed. Looking in the mirror, I noticed bags that weren't there a couple days ago. When did I get so stressed? Ugh, oh well. Crossing the hallway and into my room, I climbed under the blankets and stared at the ceiling. A few minutes later, I heard dad shuffling past my door, bringing Noah into his bed and I sighed. Flipping over, I buried my face in my pillow and slowly drifted off into a restless sleep.
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