Finding You

chapter 3

He followed me, closing the door behind us. I took a couple of steps in.

"So, what's your name?" I played dumb, I already knew his name.

"Call me Zay."

There was no reason to tell him my name, somehow he already knew.

"Ok, Zay," I said walking into what I think is his living room. I sat down on a couch and he sat next to me. He didn't sit too close, but closer than he had ever sat before. I looked ahead at his green wall.

"Happy? Now what's the real reason you followed me home? And don't try to lie," he added.

"Um, well you live in an abandoned house, so I was curious," I said truthfully.

"This house obviously is inhabited. But yeah, ok. What about yesterday, when you didn't know I lived in an "abandoned" house? Why did you follow me then?" he asked.

That's the most he's ever said to me. In a daze, I looked at him and said nothing.

He frowned and stared at me back. "Tell me. I deserve to know," he said.

After a second I told him the full truth. "I wanted to know why you left early every day, if you were like, a spy or something."

Only until after the words came out of my mouth did I realize how stupid I sounded. i wanted to hide behind my hands, but forced myself not to. He made a point of staring at me for a few seconds, and then he chuckled.

The sound was like music. I had never heard him laugh. It was an amazing sound, even if he was laughing at me.

"I don't get it. I'd love to be in on the joke," I said.

"A spy? Really?" he said. He shook his head and smiled to himself. "You're too funny."

He kept looking at me and after a while I refused to hold his gaze and looked away.
His staring was too cute and too intense.

I couldn't believe I was actually sitting here and talking to Zyler. I never in a million years would have expected this to happen.

Zay was still smiling, and looking at me when I looked at him again.

"What?" I asked him.

"Nothing. It's just, I think you're the only one person who would have the guts to follow me home."

"Yeah, people are scared of you," I said.

"Good. They should be. You should be too," he said, his smile fading.

"I'm not." Despite my words, my heart started to thud in my chest. I slowly got up and went to the door, wanting to get out. If there was a reason I should be afraid of him...

"Where are you going?" Zay said. He was right behind me. I swallowed my gasp; I didn't even hear him get up.

"G-getting ready to leave. It was obvious you didn't want me here in the beginning," I stutter quietly.

"I didn't say that, did I?" Zay said. He was right beside me.

"No, but you don't have to spell it out for me to take the hint." I started to open the door but he pushed it shut.

"Sorry, sometimes I make it look like I hate someone when I don't. Don't go yet." His soft, deep voice filled my ear. It was enough to make me think; maybe I can stay for a little bit longer.

"My dad is going cooking a meal right now. Why don't you eat some with us?" he said quietly still. My brain shot warnings through my head. I barely knew this guy, why should I even consider staying? But against my better judgement, I nodded my head.