The Boy Next Door

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"You're talking again," Brianna noted as we walked down the halls of our school.

"Did I stop?"

"You and Evan, I mean." Her voice wasn't sorrowful, but I could see the pain hidden in her eyes.

"He came over for lunch this past Sunday, I couldn't just sit there and not talk to him." I began begging nearly for her to not be angry with me.

Chuckling, she shook her head and turned a corner. "I'm surprised it took you this long. He's the only other person, besides your family, that you've ever really talked to. I knew it was only a matter of time before you forgave him, you don't hold grudges well. And, anyway, I don't care whether you're friends or not. Just don't make me talk to him and we'll all get along fine."

"Thank you, Bri," I let out a deep breath. "Would it bother you if I rode home with him? I don't like the bus."

"Not at all," she smiled.

"You're the best friend ever." I gave her a hug and we split ways.

As I walked to Biology, Evan fell into step beside me. Still not very comfortable talking to him in public--after all, he was a boy and I was a girl--I ignored him. "This again?"

I merely nodded once and quickened my pace. When I reached for a door handle to open it, he was already there, and also grabbed my books from my hands. "Come with me after school?" he asked with a bright smile.

"Why?" My voice was quiet as I stepped across the threshold.

"I wanna show you something."

"Will I get home by four-thirty?"

"Sure, if you need to." He set down my stuff on my desk and leaned back against his in front of me.

"Alright."

"Where are we going?" I asked as we walked out the doors, he again holding them open for me.

"Just somewhere."

"Why can't I know?"

"You're full of questions today."

"Aren't I always?" He chuckled as he opened my door for me. Hiding a frown, I climbed in and heard him close it. Why was he acting like this? "You're not kidnapping me, are you?"

"No, why would I? I already almost live with you. Our houses are so close I may as well."

I was quiet the rest of the ride, trying to figure out where we were headed. He took us out of town, south toward the city.

Once we were downtown, he said, "You told me once that you've never--" he was cut off when someone slammed into the side of the car.

We rolled and jerked, I felt the seat belt scraping my neck painfully as my head jostled around. Screaming, I desperately waited for us to stop moving. When we did, I didn't even notice. My head was spinning.

"Megan, are you okay?" Evan asked anxiously, pushing the air bags out of the way. I couldn't answer. I was in shock and my neck and leg hurt, but other than that I was fine. "Megan?" He wrestled with our seat belts and got mine undone by the time I was coming to my senses.

"I--I'm fine."

"You're shaking." He stated.

"Hey," someone outside ran over, "are you okay? We're calling the ambulance now."

Evan nodded and the guy began trying to open the door, but it was stuck due to the asphalt smashing it in. "Megan, look at me." I looked him in the eye and gulped. What just happened? One second we were driving, the next we're rolling and I get smacked by the air bag, and now the car's a wreck and my hands are shaking.

"What hurts?"

"M-my neck, leg, and nose." I answered briefly. "And--and you?"

"I'm fine. Let's just get you out of this car."

Loud sirens blared, getting closer and closer. I squeezed my eyes shut and put my hands over my ears. Within seconds of the sound stopping, a man was by my door. "We're okay." Evan said.

His door was easier to open than mine, so Evan got out first. When my door was finally wrenched open, I wasn't allowed to stand before being hurried onto a stretcher. "Where's Evan?" I asked, seeing unfamiliar faces all around me.

"I'm riding with you." He jumped up beside me as I was put in a car, then someone put a mask over my mouth. The last thing I remembered was the sound of a slamming door.