Chapter 10 Allison's birthday

The next day began, as always. When I woke up, I went to the bathroom and took a shower. After that, I went down for breakfast.

When I went down, a very pleasant smell hit my nostril. 

- Hi, Leona, it smells great. I said, enjoying the smell.

"Oh, good morning, Jack. Thank you, breakfast is already ready, you can sit down at the table. Leona answered, and brought breakfast to the table.

- By the way, Leona, you remember that there will be a parent-teacher meeting today, right?

- Yes, I remember. I took the day off today. She said while drinking some juice.

- Great, I wanted to warn you that I'm skipping school today.

"Oh, and what's the reason?" I remember you've never skipped before, she said with a laugh, and remembering old memories.

- Today is my girlfriend's birthday. So I wanted to go out with her outside of school. I hope you won't mind? I asked her.

- Oh, that's a great idea. Of course, I won't mind. So, did you choose a gift for her? She asked sincerely.

- A gift? Yes, I forgot about the gift... can you recommend something? I remembered that I hadn't thought about the gift at all. 

- Ehh, Jack... Well done, what to say. So, give her a box of sweets and chocolates. This gift will appeal to almost all girls. She said, laughing at me at first.

- Thank you for the idea, sis, I love you. He got up and went over and kissed her on the cheek.

- Oh, you're a ladies ' man, don't thank me, have a good time. She said and smiled.

[Argent House]

Allison is in her room packing her bag to get ready for school when Kate comes knocking on the door and greets Allison.

- Hey, uh, listen, you know, I feel terrible about my behavior last night.

- Oh, I completely forgot. Allison answers.

- But, it is not forgotten by me. Come on, call me a terrible bitch or something. This is Kate speaking.

"You were just protecting me. Allison objects.

- I was a terrible defender who used to give you a birthday present so that you would forgive me. Kate hands a small box to Allison.

Allison opens it, gasping at what she sees inside.

"Am I forgiven?" Kate asks hopefully.

- Absolutely right. I'm loving it. Allison responds by taking the pendant out of the box and putting it on.

"It's a family heirloom, and you know that I hate and despise all sentimental nonsense. But this, look at the symbol in the middle of the pendant, do you see this? Kate asks.

- Yeah? Allison answers questioningly.

- If you want to know a little about your family, look for this. Kate explains.

"Are you going to make me work for this?" Allison asks.

- Well, some puzzles are worth the effort. Says Kate, and for which she gets a smile and a hug from Allison.

[School corridor]

When I went inside the school, I noticed Allison standing in front of her closet. I thought she looked really cute, trying to shove all the balls inside her locker. And when she took the card, I went up to her from behind and whispered in her ear:

- Happy birthday, honey. Slowly and gently.

When she heard me, she was scared at first, then realized that it was me.

"O - how do you know?" She said uncertainly and a little timidly.

"It's a secret," I said, looking at her with a smile. "Come on, why do you look like that? Today, you should only be painted with a smile."

"Because I'm seventeen, and I haven't told anyone about my birthday. She said timidly and quietly.

"So what?" 17 years is not very much. You probably think that others will start thinking badly of you? I said with a gentle smile.

 Seeing my smile, she just shook her head and said: "Aha..."

- Well, let them think what they want. Just ignore them. The main thing is that your family knows the true reason. I said with the same smile.

- Yes, you're right. But do you know the reason for this? Allison said confidently at first, but then quietly.

- Of course, frequent moves. I said, " Hey, let's skip school today and take a break from everyone."

When she heard me, she just kissed me. "Yes, I don't mind," she said with a sweet smile.

After that, we headed towards my car and got inside.

- By the way, I have a gift for you. I said and took out a box of sweets.

- Oh, thank you, I love sweets. Allison answered and kissed me on the cheek, after which she began to open the box.

[Chemistry lesson]

The teacher stands in front of the class, going to the blackboard, and says:

"Just a friendly reminder, there's a parent-teacher conference tonight. Students below average should be present. I won't name them, because shame and self-loathing should be enough. He says and thus having examined the class. 

"Hey, Stilinski, have you seen Jack?" He asks, seeing that his place is empty. At this moment, Jackson enters the classroom, looking rather pale, and goes to his seat.

- Nah, Teacher, I haven't seen him today. Stiles answers.

"Jackson, if you need to leave early for any reason, let me know. Says Adrian, having heard about what happened to him.

- Everyone, everyone, start reading Chapter 9. He says, returning to the blackboard.

[Forest]

Allison and I reach the entrance to the forest and I park my car, after which we both get out of the car.

After exiting, I see Allison pulling out and checking her phone.

- Don't worry, if they ask, I'll say that it was my idea. I say with a smile.

"You don't have to take all the blame, it was my choice, too. Allison answers.

- Well, well, don't worry, let's go. I said and headed for the forest.

Allison and I are walking through the woods, admiring the scenery and chatting about everything.

But as we were climbing the hill, I notice that Allison is losing her balance, and seeing this, I quickly take her hands, saying:

- Are you all right?

- Yes, and I think that you just paid your debt. Allison responds jokingly.

"Oh, and what are you doing now?" I ask, seeing Allison with the phone.

- I'm just thanking Lydia for her congratulations. I just remembered, Allison replies a little timidly.

- Okay, but now forget about the phone, we are disconnected from the whole world for a day. Speaking with a wide smile, I take her hands.

[Veterinary clinic] 

Deaton was doing his business when Noah Stilinski comes to him.

"Sheriff Stilinski?" Deaton speaks to confirm his presence.

"Look, I hate to bother you, but I'm having a hell of a time figuring out what we're dealing with. This is Noah speaking.

- I'm really flattered that you asked me for help, but as I said, I'm not an expert. This is Deaton speaking.

- But the other day you were quite sure that the attacker was a mountain lion. This is the sheriff speaking.

"That's right," Deaton says.

- I want to show you something. We were a little lucky here, there were no cameras in the video store, but the surveillance camera that monitored the parking lot showed several frames. Take a look at our mountain lion. Noah says, pulling out the photos.

Deaton sees the first picture, in which something black jumps through the window.

"Here's another one. Noah hands him a second photo, which shows a shadow with the size of a small bear.

"That's interesting," Deaton says.

- This is actually interesting. Deaton says and hands over the last photo, which shows the shadow of a man walking instead of where the animal should have been.

"I know what you mean. Deaton says, looking at the sheriff.

"I've never seen a mountain lion do that. This is Noah speaking.

- Me too. Deaton answers.

"My first idea was a bear, but they don't walk on two legs," Noah tells Deaton.

- Yes, they fall on all fours. Looks like I said you need an expert. Deaton says, hearing the dog barking behind him.

- D, but can it be a mountain lion? Noah asks.

- I'm sorry, but I have a sick dog right now who needs my attention. Deaton answers, walking to the back.

- No other ideas? Noah asks with a complicated expression.

- I'm sorry, I would like to help you, but I have... Deaton starts.

- Dog, yes, I heard, thank you for listening again. Sheriff Stilinski says he is somewhat disappointed that he does not understand what they are chasing. Deaton goes to the back of the room to examine the dog, and Sheriff Stilinski goes to the school for a parent-teacher meeting.

[Forest] 

After taking a walk and talking about many things, we decided to go back. And when we got to the car, Allison looked at my side.

- To be honest, it was a perfect birthday. Allison says, smiling at me.

- Oh, good. You didn't lie, I said with a grin.

- Really? Allison asks curiously.

- Yeah, you have a habit. I say and stroke her eyebrow. - "When you lie, your eyebrow twitches."

"Ha, let's see if you can find out if I'm lying now. I want my parents not to come home from the parent teacher meeting so that I can spend the rest of the day with you. This is Allison speaking.

"The rest of the day?" I ask with a smile.

"Or the rest of the night," Allison replies, shyly holding the hand I used to touch her eyebrow and hiding part of her face behind her.

"Oh, I'd love to," I reply with a smile, and get a chuckle. "But it's a pity, it probably won't come true today."

- Well, maybe not today, but I'm sure that soon we will have the opportunity to spend the night in each other's houses, if you don't mind. Allison says, teasing me.

"I'd love to," I said with a grin.

- Let's go back to school. Says Allison and get inside the car.

[At school - parents ' meeting]

Leona gets to the parents ' meeting and goes to the coach's office.

"Good evening, I'm Leona Anderson, Jack's sister. Leona says, introducing herself to the coach.

- Come in, sit down. I'm Bobby Finstock, lacrosse coach and economics teacher. The coach speaks and introduces himself. - "Jack, Jack Anderson. So you're his sister?"

- Nice to meet you, yes. Leona answers. "So, what do you think about him?" asks Leona.

- Oh, I have no complaints about him. He is an excellent student, in addition, he became the co-captain of the lacrosse team. The Coach says with a smile.

In another classroom, a teacher is talking to Allison's parents.

- Allison Argent is an incredibly sweet girl and adapts quickly, despite all the moves. Says the teacher.

"We know it's hard for her, but it's a necessary evil. This is Chris speaking.

- Whether it was necessary or not, I was ready for some, how should I put it? Says the teacher.

- Rebelliousness? Chris asks.

- We appreciate your concern, but we have a great relationship with our daughter, very open and honest. Victoria interrupts her husband.

- I am very glad to hear this, and I hope that she is feeling well. The teacher answers them.

- Why? She wasn't in class? Chris asks.

"Oh, she wasn't at school. I checked in the office, the teacher informs them.

After the conference, all the parents went to the parking lot.

Allison and I have just arrived at the school.

At this moment, in another exit from the school, Chris and Victoria go out together while Chris records a voicemail:

- Allison, you'd better answer my message, it will make your punishment much easier. Call me before your punishment reaches biblical proportions.

"Kate hasn't heard from her either. Victoria says with concern.

- Hi, excuse me, are you Allison's parents? Leona asks, coming up to them and hearing Allison's name.

"I'm Jack's sister, Leona Anderson. This is Leona speaking. "I know where they are, don't worry."

- I'm Chris Argent, Ellison's father, and this is Victoria Argent, Ellison's mother. Nice to meet you, Chris says. "How do you know where they are?"

- It's nice to meet you, too. Leona answers. "Well, I found out from Jack today that it's Allison's birthday, so I gave him the idea to surprise her and take her somewhere," Leona says, trying to calm them down.

- I see, and here they are, Chris says, seeing Jack and Allison.

"Hi, Leona," I say with a smile, to which I get the same answer.

- Mom, Dad? Allison says, seeing her parents with a not-so-good expression.

"Allison, get in the car," Chris says, ordering his daughter.

At this moment, the woman screams, and everyone starts running away from something, most of them get into their cars for safety reasons.

Remembering this scene, I quickly take Allison's hands. To which I get a confused look from her.

- This is for security purposes, stay next to me. I say with a smile.

Meanwhile, Chris walks through the parking lot and pulls out a gun. At this moment, an animal runs under the cars, which the sheriff starts running after, and does not notice the car, which almost hits him, if not for Scott quickly pushing him to the side.

At this moment, the sound of 2 shots is heard, and everyone in the parking lot approaches Chris and the already dead animal, identified as a mountain lion.

After this incident, everyone goes home.