3 3

"Hey, I'm glad you could find the house. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere." Louise greated me, welcoming me into her house. She was dressed in comfortable black jogger pants, a loose fitting band shirt, and shin high black socks. I was nervous I was over dressed in my skirt and t-shirt. She didn't even seem to notice, it's crazy how I don't have to try to impress her.

"I for sure took a few wrong turns," I smiled trying to hide that I was totally lost because she didn't give me an address she listed out turns to take instead. Her house was so new that the address didn't quite pull up in Google maps and there are no significant buildings to base the directions off of. The fact I got here is truest evidence that miracles actually exist.

"I do that still," she commented easily as she pulled her short red hair into a tiny messy bun nodding her head as an invitation inside. She began leading the way to the kitchen where we chatted about favorite movie snacks and our guilty pleasure snack combos. I am slightly disgusted by her love of milk duds and movie theater popcorn. Who even thinks of combinations like that?

With our arms full of treats we made our way to the theater room. I can tell that her family has recently moved in, they seemed to only be half way moved in. Though it seems they have put most of their effort into the theater room. I was amazed when I stepped foot into the room, it was huge and fully teched out with the latest.

Couches are layered on an inclining pattern and a projector is playing the opening movie ads on a large white screen. There are speakers decorating the walls, and I can't help but be excited.

"My dad sold his idea for a financial app," Louise stated warmly when she saw my awe. "He also still works with computers and finance, but don't ask any other questions because that's all I know."

She plopped down on the couch closest to the screen, pulling her long legs close to her chest, getting comfortable. I sit down next to her, not quite confident enough to get as comfortable as her.

"That's awesome," I said, still amazed and excited for us to hang out. I would be lying though if I didn't say a part of me still feels so anxious because I didn't tell Nick but he shouldn't mind right?

"I hope you don't mind but my brother wants to join," she added, "don't worry though he's smart for his age."

"Oh that should be alright," I responded, obviously she must have a younger brother. I always wished I had a younger sibling. I am the only one, my parents waited to have me until they my mom was done with her residency.

"He's basically a puppy," she continued explaining, as the movie started and a very tall curly headed, not little brother sat down next to me. Nick is going to kill me.

"You have to stop referring to men as puppies," he chuckled, obviously over hearing our conversation,"I stopped eating scraps under the table two weeks ago."

They continued their light hearted banter, as I felt my chest collapsing. Last year, I had to do a project with a guy named Michael. Nick would not let me go anywhere alone with him, he was livid when he found out. It took everything I had to calm him down. I wasn't alone with Louise's brother, it's ok.

What was Nick going to do about this?

"This is Maebee," Louise introduced me, just the sound of my name interrupted my anxiety ridden thoughts.

"And I am Caleb," Caleb stated, holding out his hand opposite me for a hand shake.

"Nice to meet you," I whispered, holding my hand out to him. He gently shook my hand, his soft touch sent a spark through my skin. I wasn't prepared for this feeling, and quickly pulled my hand back. I smiled for good measure and so did he. On no.

"This is the worst way to open a movie! Boo" Louise booed at her projector screen grabbing my attention and directing it to the movie. But out of the corner of my eye I could still see Caleb looking at me. "We already know who's going to die, damn you Nicholas Sparks!"

During the movie I tried to shrink myself. Every time Caleb would brush against me I could feel my stomach jump with excitement. We accidentally grabbed each other's hands several times while reaching for popcorn. He always smiled, and I could feel my heart melt. I can't feel this way. Stop it!

"Louise I am disappointed that you would ruin another Nicholas Sparks movie," Caleb announced, "I guess they always die. How did you like the movie Bee?"

Bee? I didn't even mind, even though I should.

"It was good" I smiled, " though it is hard to spoil a movie that was released three years ago." I raised my eyebrows challenging him.

"Oh!" Louise chimes in, "it's not my fault you refuse to watch romance movies on your own." She stands up towering over me with her hands crossed. I can see she is looking between us, I can see in her eyes she is planning something but I can't tell what.

"There are better things to watch in this theater, maybe John Wick? Maybe The Vow?" Caleb argued,I was surprised he mentioned another romance, then he turned to me "well what's your choice for the next movie?"

"Umm," please say something, please, "Jurassic Park? Maybe Back to the Future?" Phew.. my opinion isn't usually necessary, I just didn't want to disappoint him with my underwhelming personality.

"We could do that next weekend, either sounds great we'll see what we're feeling," Louis agreed. I could feel Caleb's eyes on me again and when I look from the corner of my eye I could see him flinch away.

"That actually sounds like a great idea," Caleb teased his sister, "who would have thought, did you come up with it all by yourself?"

Louis pushes past Caleb and rolls her eyes as she does.

"Does anyone want a drink, I'm going to the kitchen, and will not make a second trip," Louise offers, as we both shake our heads, she winks at me before walking out of the room. What is her plan?

"So Bee," Caleb turns his body so it's angled towards me, his left leg touching my right. Was he touching me on purpose? "How did you meet, Louise?"

"I just gave her a tour of the school," I answered, trying to look around the room but my eyes kept falling back to Caleb's strong jaw and piercing blue eyes.

" I'm sorry," he laughed, " what are your plans after high school?"

"Nothing too crazy, I just want to go to college for accounting and hopefully find a job doing payroll for a small business." It sounds like I have more of a plan than I actually do, I don't know what Nick plans to do with me.

"Really?" Caleb leans in closer, "I work at a small accounting office, we're looking for a receptionist if you're interested in building your resume?" He ever so lightly squeezes my shoulder, "I can put in a good word for you?"

His smile is captivating, and his eyes never leave mine. I didn't even notice that his hand still held my shoulder.

"That would be incredible," I'm surprised by the offer, a job might grant me a little more freedom.

"Could I get your number, I can give you a call when I talk to the boss?" He asked with a smile, but it seemed like his smile had a different motivation. He hands me his phone and I quickly dial my phone number, unable to stop the smile from spreading.

"Please be decent!" Louise calls out, her sudden appearance startling Caleb's phone out of my hand. She was making her presence known as she glides back in with a clear glass of soda in hand.

"Louise," Caleb jumps, catching the phone quickly with great reflexes, "where is your remote the volume is broken again."

I was enjoying myself so much I forgot to check my phone. I quickly take a peek and in that split second, I can feel my world split and shift. Where the f**k are you!? I was the latest and first to read, along with about 15 missed calls and double that in text messages.

I'm dizzy with anxiety and I can feel myself about to throw up. I try to take a deep breath, but I can't fear choking me.

"Oh I'm so sorry I have to go," I stood up so quickly I almost lost my balance. But was able to still hurry out of the room, "it was so fun, thank you so much for the invite!"

"Oh ok," Louise stuttered, clearly surprised and confused at my outburst. "thanks for coming."

I can't even bring myself to look at Caleb, I'm so embarrassed and terrified.

I nearly run out the front door, shaking so bad I can't unlock my car for what feels like eternity. When I'm able to gain access to my car I speed away hoping for a chance that I can talk myself out of this mess. I'm still too terrified to call Nick back.

A car pulls up behind me and after further investigation I discover that it's Nick. I don't know how but Nick found me on the outside of town but as I pulled over there's no doubt that it's him. I could feel my hands shaking, and my stomach churn. How did he find me?

He tapped aggressively on my window until I unbuckled and opened my door. He grabbed my upper arm tightly, ripping me from the car. He began pulling me towards his car before slamming me against the passenger door. My knees buckled and I fell but he caught my neck before I could fall completely knocking my head against the window. An instant headache erupted causing my ears to ring.

"Where the fuck have you been?" He growled venomously. His hand tightened around my throat, stars begin to flash as the edges of my eyes start to turn black. Bringing me to the brink of passing out before releasing me to fall the rest of the way to the assfault. The small rocks breaking the skin in my legs and arms.

"I have been worried," he hissed grabbing my hair so I could look at him, "and you didn't pick up your fucking phone. Seriously, I sometimes wonder if you could function without me, because it doesn't seem like it."

He squeezed my hair before throwing me the rest of the way down. "Get the fuck up," he spit the words. "And get in the car."

I had to use the door handle to support my body weight, gravity becoming my enemy as I exert what's left of my strength, but once I'm up and try to get in the passenger's seat the door is slammed quickly, nearly missing my thumb.

"Backseat," he commanded, his arms now on either side of my shoulders, his eyes dark. "You have a lot to make up for."