As I was walking near home, I had a feeling I was being watched. Perhaps those idiots followed me to ambush me or something? I quickened my pace so that I could get home really quickly. I suddenly had a feeling that what was following was just coming behind me. My neck hair rose and I whipped my head to look behind me just in time to see some dark figure hiding around the corner of a house nearby. I didn't think much I started running towards the back door since I'd just reached home. I turned the nob and then went in locking the door behind me. I run to the window to look outside for the stalker. What I saw surprised me and sent chills down my spine. A man stood just on the lane of the road near the same compound he hid. He was looking straight at me and his eyes glowed yellowish color. I couldn't move but stare back at him with my breath held. Finally, I regained my motor muscles then quickly closed the curtain, and ran to my room. I sat on my bed contemplating what I just saw. Maybe I'm too drunk I'm starting to imagine things. I hope I didn't wake my parents up. I took a quick shower then went in my sheets, turned off the night lamp then slept. The next day was Sunday when I woke up later in the morning, as usual. If I was normal I would have said I had a terrible hangover and all of that shit normal people complain about but I'm not normal. I woke up as if I didn't even drink last night. Well, at least my parents won't find out. I'll just brush my teeth and have a lollypop. I went downstairs where I found Dad in the living room watching the news, Mom by the door on the phone and my four-year-old baby brother, Grey, playing with his toys on the carpet. I went to the kitchen to look for any left breakfast which I can only assume is cold by now. I found pancakes in the microwave which I quickly took and placed them on a plate then went to the fridge to get some milk. I took the milk jar and closed the door.
"Ah!" I jumped. My mom just popped up behind the fridge. "Mom! You gave me a heart attack." I complained as I touched my chest.
"Why are you having sweets so early in the morning?" she asked observing me closely.
"Because I want to?" I answered eyeing her wearily. "Let me be. I just want to have my breakfast?" I said pouring the milk into a glass cup.
"This time of the day?" she asked while laughing.
"Yeah."
I took the food to the couch and then sat down.
"Hey, honey." Dad greeted me.
"Hey, Dad," I replied.
I ate the pancakes and then got up to leave the plates in the sink.
"Tiff," Dad called, stopping me from leaving.
I turned around answering, "Yes?". I sat down.
"Your mom and I have to leave for a business trip tomorrow. It's in Georgia and it's for two weeks." He explained.
He looked at me waiting for my response. Well, it's not like it's the first time they have gone away, and don't get me wrong. I don't hate them for going on business trips, I mean they have to work to feed us and take care of the bills right? It's just that I don't like staying alone at home and I also don't like staying with strangers. I would rather maybe invite my best friend to stay over with me. I can't call my other friends because then they would wreck the place.
"OK?" I replied with tight lips while sitting down back.
"We can drop you off at the Fords family if you would like company…"
"No! No need to do that. I can stay here by myself alright? I mean somebody needs to watch over the house, right?" I replied with a side-convincing smile. He looked at me then said "ok then, that's settled. We will leave Grey behind since
it will be better for you to watch over him than for us to take him and leave him with some person. We will call the babysitter too to be coming on your school days."
"Ok then, Dad," I replied.
"Don't worry honey. You will be fine. Just, don't cause trouble. Take care of your little brother and the house. Lock all the doors when home. I believe there is no use in telling you to do your homework since you are an 'A' student. What I can tell you is don't stay up for long hours at night studying. Rest too." Mom said with a sly smile.
"Yes, mom. We will be fine. You just leave the credit card and we will be just fine." I said
"Great!"
Any teenager would be thrilled to have the house all to themselves but I wasn't. Having the house meant responsibility especially since I have to take care of Grey. My parents can be a bit annoying but I don't like the idea of them leaving.
I went to the kitchen to wash my plates then went upstairs to my room to scroll through my phone.
Two hours later my mom called me down for lunch. I went down and then sat at the table. We ate and finished the food. We are big eaters and rarely do we leave food on the table. Even Gray started eating early. I removed the plates from the table placing them in the sink for washing. Mom came in as I was taking the apron and the gloves from the cabinet. She just stood by the door leaning on the door frame and looking at me. I put on the apron and the gloves, and open the tap to let the warm water fill in the sink. After closing I turned to her.
"Speak," I said
She smiled. "Please be good. Don't cause trouble. We will be back before you even know it."
"Really Mom? That's what you wanted to say? I thought you would be saying something other than that." I replied.
"Yeah."
"It's not like I look for the trouble. Trouble just finds me even when I want peace in my life." I murmured going back to the plates.
"What? Trouble finds you even when you want peace?" she pried.
"Forget it, Mom. As long as you bring lots of money from there, you are good to go." I said with a big smile. She smiled back.
My parents went to their room to pack while I washed the plates. Grey was fast asleep in his room. He usually sleeps a lot after having meals. I finished washing the plates and then went back to my room. Sometime later Mom knocked on the door.
"Come in," I said
She opened the door, came in then sat on my bed.
"Here is money for groceries. You will need them." She put some cash on the bed beside me.
"Thanks, mom," I replied. She nods then left.
Well, I can just go now while they are here since they will be with Grey. I went downstairs to look for things that are running out and those that are not available but I'll need them. I made a list on a notepad. I went upstairs to my mom's room.
"Mom! I'm heading to the store. I'll be back soon." I said by the door. Mom opened the door.
"Ok. You will find us here." She replied.
I went downstairs to head outside. I walked to the store since it was not that far from our house. I reached the store, took a basket then started picking groceries from the stands. I went to the cashier putting my things there for count. While the cashier was counting my stuff, somebody dropped their staff too. I looked to see who it was suddenly darkening my mood. I looked at them with a frown. It was Justin and his best friend Zac.
"Why the face, Tiffany?" Justin asked while smirking at me.
I ignored him and then moved to the other side where the cashier was placing my stuff. I waited patiently for him to finish.
"No reply?" he asked again.
"Leave me alone Justin," I replied. "I was in a good mood and you just showed up ruining my day," I said irritated. Zac just stood there watching everything like he didn't exist. He was cool like that. The observer. Most dangerous people in a circle of friends. They wait for the right opportunity to strike.
"What did I do wrong?" he asked innocently.
I scoffed. "As if you did something right," I commented
"Is that a way to speak to your best friend's boyfriend?" he asked.
"Best friend?" I laughed coldly.
"Plastic bag?" the cashier asked.
"Yes please," I replied.
He set my things in the bag then I paid for the groceries. I quickly moved away from the jerk getting out of the store as far as I could from them.
"See you at school!" he called.
I walked home, got home then entered the house and went to the kitchen to leave the groceries there. I placed things in their right place and then went upstairs. In the corridor, I called out to Mom saying that I'm back. I went to my room to fix things for Monday and finish all the tasks I had.