Fall (One Direction) [Sequel To Run]

Chapter Five

 Callin

“Hi” the girl in front of me says, arm outstretched. “I'm Delaney. Welcome to Allison's.”

I take her hand, and we shake.

“I'm Callin” I say. “It's nice to meet you, Delaney.”

-

“I've been in a lot of foster homes” Delaney says. “But I really think this is the worst. I mean, you've been here a week already, isn't Allison a witch?”

“Yeah” I agree. “I think this is my worst, too. I mean, I've been in a lot as well.”

“Have you ever tried to run away?” she asks softly, leaning her head against the washer, her long brown hair falling over one eye. I shake my head, quickly.

“Never” I reply. “I guess I was scared of getting caught.”

“I did” Delaney whispers. “Once. I got caught. It was -”

“What are you louts doing?” someone asks, and then I hear the slam of the door closing and footsteps on the laundry room floor.

“What the hell is a lout?” Delaney asks, standing up and pushing her hair from her face. I jump to my feet quickly, beside her.

Billy stands in the doorway, grinning.

“Shall I tell Allison you were hiding in the laundry room?” he asks, a smirk written across his features.

“No” Delaney says quickly. “C'mon, Billy, we're all on the same side here. You don't want to see Allison pick on us, do you?”

Billy makes a face, as if he's considering her proposal, but his face still carries the ghost of a smirk, and I know he's not.

“Nah” he says after a moment. “I'll tell her. New girl needs to see what it's really like here.” He turns around and walks away, in the confident swagger her always seems to have. Then I hear the door slam, and he's gone. Probably to hunt down Allison, wherever she's hiding in this mammoth house.

Delaney sighs, blowing a stubborn strand of hair out of her eyes for a moment.

“C'mon” she says to me. “Time for damage control.” She leads me out of the laundry room and through the house, until we reach a closed door on the third floor.

“Whatever I say, back me up” she whispers to me, before knocking loudly on the wood.

“What?” a voice shouts from inside.

“Billy was sleeping in the laundry room!” she replies. The door swings open, to reveal Allison standing there, blond hair in curlers, encased in a fluffy pink robe.

“Delaney” she says. “Did Callin see him as well?”

“Yes” Delaney says. She nudges me lightly in the side.

“Yes” I mumble. Allison nods.

“Thank you, girls” she says. “Would you like a biscuit?”

“No thank you” Delaney says. When I don't answer right away, she stomps on my foot.

“No thank you” I say softly. Allison shrugs.

“I'll see that he's punished” she says, and then the door slams shut.

“What just happened?” I ask Delaney. “Why don't I want a biscuit?”