"Hey ", I stuttered trying to slow down my heartbeat and collect myself. "Sorry, I hope you didn't get burnt now did you?""Not at all" I assured the broad-shouldered blue-eyed boy who stood beside me. " Mind if join you?""Feel free" I responded wiping the coffee off my shirt . I wish I hadn't raised my head because his icy blue eyes seemed to capture my soul and as much as I hate to admit it he was handsome! Gosh, he was just perfect!"A penny for thoughts?" he asked pulling me back to reality. I averted my eyes to the table realizing I was beginning to drool. I tried to keep a straight face, but my cheeks betrayed me as they flushed in a light blush.He giggled at my reaction and smiled playfully. His teeth were pearly white and his laugh was so free, so soothing. "what's your name princess?""Sam Samantha but everyone calls me Sam, and you are?" I stuttered."Johnathan but you can call me Jay". Damn why does he have to be so handsome!?" I'm sorry about the coffee"."Oh don't worry about that, all is forgiven"."I'll be paying for that" he informed the waitress who attended to my mess. I smiled at him gratefully. We must have talked forever just laughing and joking around. For a moment we got lost in each other's eyes and I wished that the day would never come to an end until my vibrating phone ruined the mood.Amber had called at least twenty-five times since I left the house. Glancing outside the sun had already painted the sky in light orange. The little 'tea break by accident' was more than refreshing. I got to discover a new coffee shop that felt like an island of peace. Like a wonderful illusion or dream, I did not want to leave, but I had to." It's getting late I better get going," I said as I rose from my seat."You're right I'll walk you home". "Oh it is ok I'll be fine thanks" I assured him but he ignored me and followed me to the till. "Don't worry yourself , I got this think of it as my way of apologizing for scaring you?" he said as he playfully winked and nudged me. I walked out of the shop to wait outside. Across the road, a familiar figure stood directly opposite me, when we locked eyes he slipped his hood on. Just when I was about to walk over to him Jay exited the shop. "ready?""Yeah," I answered when I turned back, the guy had disappeared.The walk home was quiet but we were comfortable with the silence. "Thanks for walking me home Johnathan I really appreciate your company ""It's a pleasure princess, I really hope I see you again, may I have your number?"" I'm sorry I don't know it by heart but we will meet again if fate wills it" he laughed and gave me a tight hug. "If you say so, night Sam" he said walking backward, waving me goodbye.The tension between Dad and Amber washed over me from the moment I walked through the door. All the stress, the questioning, and self –doubt, it all came back."Oh there you are Sammy, you're just in time for supper"."hi Dad, I have a project I need to finish so I'll eat later". "Oh, ok I also have a flight in an hour so I'll need to prep," he told me trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. We don't see each other much because if he is not flying his either teaching adult classes or resting. I guess not having time to catch up and all the stress of parenting was taking its toll on him. He looked tired and disappointed that I wasn't making any effort to meet him in the middle."You know what, I think the project can wait, I'll go call Amber" he nodded his head in response trying to suppress his joy. Sitting around the dinner table like a normal family felt weird. It had been a long time since the three of us sat down and ate together. The most difficult part was starting a conversation."Wow, this tastes good" Amber commented. "Of course it does, after all, I cooked" dad bragged."Uncle Joe, are you trying to say something about my cooking?""No, no not at all it's not your cooking that's bad" he added winking at me. Amber folded her arms and pouted. Her comical expression made us burst into laughter. Time moved so fast, but our time together was not as bad as I thought it would be.After dinner, Amber dove straight into washing the dishes while Dad and I went straight to our rooms. I searched for Christopher's card, dialed the number and listened anxiously as it rang on the other end. As the phone continued ringing I began to think could he help me? Should I call? Should I not? Eventually, I cut the call.I could feel the pressure in my chest. Weighing me down, but looking forward to going back to the golden kettle was what pulled me through the night.Or at least most of it...'This is so uncomfortable' I thought to myself as I felt a cold gush of air against my back (that was definitely not from me I promise ). 'Maybe I forgot to close the window again'Getting up from my bed I made my way to the window with my eyes half-closed. Shutting that window is usually easy. Slide up and slide down, but it was stuck. It had jammed in the middle of the night and I had neither energy nor time to be oiling windows. I was forced to turn on the lights, walk back to the window and force it down.I expected to see a branch from the tree next to my room in the window, yet there was nothing until I finally forced it shut and flitter, flatter and around went a little piece of paper that landed gently onto the floor. It had been neatly folded and from the look of it, it had caused me all this trouble. I began to unfold the paper when I heard footsteps headed for my room. I tucked the paper under my pillow, turned off the light and jumped into bed.When the door creaked open my heart raced, I dared not raise my head. "Sam, is everything alright?" Amber called . Relieved at the sound of her voice and not my father's I sat up trying my best to look sleepy. "The window got stuck so I had to force it down, sorry if I woke you up". "Oh, ok well go back to sleep and don't make any more funny sounds."As soon as she left I listened to her footsteps, waiting for her to reach her room before I turned on the lamp light curious to find out what was written on the paper. The handwriting on the paper was neat and legible. It read;hey Sam, I'm sorry I scared you the other day I know writing this letter is a risk on my end but the truth is I don't care anymore. Please don't freak out all I wanted to say was I'm sorry.P.S I'll be in touchThe note gave me goosebumps and despite being the coward that I am I moved to the window hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever left the note or any sign of who might have been there. I carefully peeked out the corner of my window hiding behind a curtain. A dark figure began jogging up the street leaving nothing but a shadow behind. I sighed before swiftly locking my door and popping back into bed.I couldn't help but count the hours as they passed. Each one drawing me near to dawn in which all shadows and fragments of my imagination would either disappear or become a reality. As I lay there in the dark unable to fall asleep. All I could do was fearfully wait for daybreak. It was no use at all. I tossed and turned I tried counting sheep and wearing a sleep mask but nothing seemed to help me fall asleep. Until I finally slipped away."Argh!" the bright light pierced through the curtain and shone straight into my eyes. Outside everything seemed to be abnormally-normal. Our neighbor Mr. White didn't curse the milkman for being late. Robbie and sniffer (my dogs) never barked at the postman and from what I could smell Amber had woken up super early today to make breakfast." Oh, look who's up early" Amber stated when I walked into the kitchen, " you look a little under the weather, what's wrong?""I didn't sleep well that's all" I responded as I climbed on the kitchen stool. "Maybe this will help you feel better". A steaming plate filled with a complete English breakfast was placed in front of me. the aroma on its own was making me drool, but knowing my cousin she wouldn't just whip up a feast without a hidden agenda."Alright out with it what do you want? I know you won't just go through all this trouble for nothing, and what's that". I pointed to a small brown envelope on the counter."Nothing," she slid the letter in her purse, her face emotionless, "I just thought I could make up for lost time, its been long since we sat down and had breakfast together" she smirked, "besides, you're probably still in pain so I thought I would cheer you up". I stared at her and pouted waiting for her to explain further but instead, she continued gobbling down her food .Obviously, I wasn't going to get any answers out of her right now. I hated that she would always have to be worried about me even at work. "Oh would you look at that I gotta go, stay out of trouble and take it easy ok?" she turned to kiss me before leaving. "Pssh trouble, me?" I mumbled rolling my eyes. one more day at home before I can go back to school, how bad can that be? 'Argh', I groaned laying upside down on the coach searching for a movie to watch. I had already baked two trays of cookies, painted abstract art with my feet and cleaned my room a thousand times. The thought of going back to school just made me feel worse. I spent the rest of the day sleeping and reading my novels. Amber and my dad wouldn't be home till late so I watched a couple of movies with the dogs.As I was locking up the place before bed I noticed a small white envelope under the front door. It was the same neat handwriting,
Sam, I hope you forgive me, I'm sorry it has to be done. I ran to my room locked the door and hid under the covers hoping that I was dreaming, that all the horror movies were finally getting to me.