• I eventually got myself up, dried, and then dressed. It must have taken me at least two hours. Or at least it felt like it. Every time I would try and do something my mind would wonder off into a deep train of thought. I couldn’t help it.
    I started thinking about my family; parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course my sister. I hadn’t seen her in three weeks. I though that I should go visit her for a while and try and clear my mind. She was the only person I could really talk to, besides Natashia.
    After I was finally done dressing, I brushed through my knotted hair and packed an over night bag for my sister’s house. As I walked out of my room and shut the door quietly behind me and started tip toeing down the hall and into the kitchen, but first I checked Cory’s room. He wasn’t there so I assumed he was out working or something. As I walked further down the hall I bumped into something slightly less hard then the wall. I looked up in the darkness to find Cory standing in front of me. I was never good at sneaking out.

    “s**t” I said quietly, trying not to wake up Davey.

    “Going somewhere?” He asked ever so politely.

    “Um, yes. I am going to take out the trash.” I responded attempting to match his perfect tone. While making up a quick lie. “See, Trash.” I said as I held up my bag.

    “Oh sure, sure. I believe you.” He said sarcastically. “So now tell me what the real reason is for lurking around the hallways.”

    “I wasn’t ‘lurking’. You make me sound so creepy. I was just merely taking out the trash. It’s not a crime right?” I asked, and then held my hands out as if he was going to cuff them.

    “No of course its not, but you suck at two things now.” He said with a laugh.

    “Oh yeah? And what would those two things be?” I asked a little annoyed that he thought I sucked at something. Then I realized, I sucked at more then two things- I sucked at most things I did.

    “Well one- lying, and two- sneaking out.” He said with a smile in his voice.

    “Okay, well if I start being completely honest will you let me go see my sister without following me?” I asked.

    “Ha-ha. Lea, you don’t have to ask me to leave. You know that right? I’m not holding you prisoner, or going to stalk you.” He laughed.

    “Okay, but if I leave, can I still come back? I asked a little warily due to the fact that I am now homeless.

    “Of course you can. You can come back whenever you like.” He said.

    I half expected him to tell me “No, Lea you can’t. You cause me so much trouble. I literally hate you.” But he didn’t.
    He just smiled at me and walked away.

    I stood there dumbfounded for at least five minutes when I realized that I should get going if I wanted to be able to talk to her before she goes to bed. So I walked down the hall and found my way past the kitchen and living room to the door. I opened it slowly trying not to wake up Davey, and then slipped out the door. When I made it to the elevator I felt a presence, and not a very good one. I turned around quickly and no one was there. The elevator doors opened and I walked in and pushed the number one button and pressed my back against the far wall of the elevator and waited for the doors to close in front of me.

    “Maybe I’m just paranoid. Maybe it’s just because I’m extremely tired.” I thought to myself.

    The elevator music didn’t seem to calm my nerves much so I started to hum to my own tune. I admit it was stupid at the time, but it helped. I started to feel more and more as the numbers got closer to the first floor. Then the elevator stopped on five, and the doors opened.

    Four good looking guys walked in a little dazed. They looked like they hit the bong just one too many times, and obviously reeked of weed. The eldest looking guy stood next to the buttons and as I expected; pushed every button that had a number on it. The three younger ones looked at me and smiled while giggling to themselves.

    I did not want to be there. Not only did they stare at me, they started getting gradually closer to me. I was more then a little freaked out because I had no clue who they were, and what they were giggling about. I half wanted to ask, but I refrained from doing so.

    It took forever until the elevator reached the first floor. I pushed through the guys and walked out into the lobby and out the main doors.
    I felt that weird presence behind me again. I looked behind me to find that the guys from the elevator were following me.

    If they wanted something, they would have just done it in the elevator. So I thought maybe they were just headed in the same direction. I got to the door of my car, and someone grabbed my arm. I spun and saw one of the guys that were in the elevator. I sighed with relief. I’m glad it was just one of them. I looked past him to see his friends stumble around they’re car.

    “Did you lose your way? Don’t worry; your friends are right over there.” I told him in a delicate tone so he could understand me as I pointed over his shoulder at the three other men, then taking my arm back.

    “Hey baby, wanna come for a ride?” I said in a drunken voice trying to be sly.

    “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t get into cars with strangers.” I said with a laugh remembering fifth grade health.

    “Come on. Trust me, you won’t regret it.” He told me in the same tone before.

    “No thanks, Bud. Go back to your friends of they’ll leave without you.”

    “Your coming with me.” He said in a stern voice grabbing my arm again.

    “Ha-ha. Listen kid, I’m going to get into my own car and drive away now, Okay?” I said with more annoyance in my voice I expected.

    “Oh, uh…uh…okay. Have a nice day lady. He stuttered in a frightened voice and staggered backwards away from me.

    Did I scare him or something? I was only 5”6; he could have probably beaten me up with one punch. “Yeah, you walk away.” I said trying to act as if though I were tough. Then got into my car and drove away.
    When I got to my sisters house I slung my night bag over my shoulder and walked to the front door. I knocked three times and took a step back as I looked at the window above the door to see if the light went on. I saw a little black bat staring right at me. It sort of freaked me out a little because it met eyes with me. It looked like it was watching me. “Again, there I go with the paranoia.” I said in a quiet voice. Then the light went on and the bat flew away.
    My sister slowly opened the door and smiled. I hadn’t seen her in forever it felt. She welcomed me with a hug and then taking my bag she led me to the living room.

    “It feels like its been forever.” She said as she took a seat on the small couch.

    “I know what you mean. What’s new? How are you holding up?” I asked when I sad down on the couch across from her.

    “Well, Ivan and I are thinking about getting married! I’m so excited! But how are you? I heard from mom that you got evicted. Where are you living now? Do you need anything?” she said sounding like an auctioneer.

    “Really? I’m so happy for you! I’m fine, and yes I did get evicted, but its okay I’m living with Cory now. So where can I sleep?” I said trying to move past the subject.

    “No way! I knew you two would! So are you guys thinking about getting married too? God, I’m so happy for you- you finally wised up.”

    “No, we’re not getting married and I’m only staying there until I find a place. And what’s that suppose to mean? I finally wised up? What are you talking about? We’re not together or anything.” I said nervous for no reason. It was like I was in 1st grade all over again having to defend myself over liking a boy.

    “Oh… well that’s okay, you’ll see soon.”

    “YAAAWWNNNN! Man, am I tired. Well I’m just going to rest here, okay?”

    “I have a question for you in the morning then. Goodnight Lea, I love you.” She finally said and headed upstairs. When I heard her bedroom door shut I knew I was safe.