The Boy Next Door

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Today was Sunday, April fifth. Today was also the day I'd attempt to reconcile with Brianna.

When I got to her house after church, her mom greeted me with wide eyes, as if surprised to see me. "Is Brianna home?" I was directed to her room.

Walking in to her studying, I didn't even say hello. "Question eleven is the easiest."

She closed the book and looked at me. "What now? Here to insult my family?"

"Brianna, please hear me out," I pleaded.

"No need."

"There is. I'm really sorry for hurting you, I never meant to."

"I know." She smiled. It wasn't bright, nor was it spiteful, but embarrassed. "Honestly, Meg, I was never very mad at you. I was just so...so startled and confused, I didn't mean half of what I said. I never really loved him, I don't think, which makes this easier for me to digest."

"Can we forget the fight ever happened then?" I asked anxiously.

"Sure," she sighed in relief, giving me a hug. "Now spill everything. I want to know how long you've liked him, how the date went, and if I need to kick his butt for anything."

So I told her all about it, happy that Evan was right. We were still friends.

I walked up to Evan's door and reached to knock, but a crash made my hand freeze. The living room jutted out about ten feet and had windows on the sides, so I could see Evan's terrified face as he backed into view. Another crash. He flinched.

What was his dad doing? I was tempted to knock on the door and stop whatever was going on, but thought better of it. Evan was petrified, and I saw his eyes flicker to me. Then his expression changed and I thought he was about to pass out. Suddenly he turned to me and mouthed, "Go!" I shook my head and he screamed it aloud.

While I backed away slowly, Mr. Walker came into view and it made me run. He was red in the face, something unidentifiable in his hand.

I rushed in my front door and dashed to the landline, calling the police. But someone's hands stilled mine and set the phone on the receiver. "If he wanted help, he would have called already," Dad said calmly.

"Dad, he could hurt Evan!" I protested.

"I know."

"How long?"

"A while." I nodded. "Tomorrow, I want you to stay out with him until four at least."

I nodded again, and though curious as to why, I didn't say anything. Walking into my room, I saw Evan punch his pillow. When he caught my eye, he walked over to the window and closed his blinds. We'd created a sort of unspoken communication, that when our blinds were closed we were either indecent or didn't want to talk. Otherwise they'd be open.

The next day brought new surprises with it. I was introduced to Scotty's girlfriend, Erika, Brianna started hanging out with Evan, Scotty, Erika, and I, and Evan asked me to come on another date with him this Friday. I said yes.

Erika was a brunette with hazel eyes and was left-handed. Evan was right, she was an amazing girl. She and Scotty got along brilliantly, and they both were immature five-year-olds.

"Why don't we all hang out after school?" I suggested, grasping for the opportunity to keep both Evan and I away from the house.

"Sounds good to me," Brianna agreed.

"Where?" Scotty asked.

Erika, being the bright girl she is, volunteered the mall. After all, she had been desperate to buy a new skirt while they were still on sale.

That settled our plans, and I realized that I did in fact have friends for the first time in my life.

Brianna rode with Erika and Scotty while Evan and I rode in his car. I brought up the subject of Brianna on our drive.

"I'm glad she's hanging out with us again." He said.

"Us?"

"She already knew Scotty and Erika."

"Oh, okay." I forgot she had friends other than me. "Yesterday, after I talked to her, I came over to tell you that you were right." I said tentatively. His posture changed.

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"Do you mind if I ask--"

"Yes." He hissed out through clenched teeth. I dropped the subject.

Glancing back at him quickly, I noticed a distressed look on his face. As we pulled into the parking lot of the mall beside Scotty, he reached for my hand to stop me from getting out.

"I'm not upset with you."

I nodded, understanding at least a part of what he was saying. "I know. Can we pretend I never brought it up?"

"I'd be glad to," he sighed. Scotty knocked on the window, making faces at us.

"Hurry up, lovebirds!" He shouted at us.

We laughed at him and got out of the car, my face burning red.

Inside Brianna, Erika, and I dragged the boys to a shoe store, where we browsed for a good half hour. Finally Evan convinced us to move on, so we left without buying anything and kept walking, straight into an Old Navy. I think it's safe to say we spent about an hour in there.

At one point Brianna and I were in the same section when she brought up Evan. I was terrified of what she was going to say. We hadn't talked about it, not really, since I made up with her.

"Meg, are you sure you like Evan?" She asked.

"Yes, of course I do. I wouldn't have said yes to the date unless I did."

She didn't meet my eyes. "He--he isn't perfect, you know that, right?"

"Obviously. Nobody's perfect."

"No, I mean, his home life is awful. Uh, he never let me inside his house, he seemed scared whenever I tried. I couldn't even glimpse inside, he held the door so closed."

"I know. I tried to go over yesterday, but something happened. There was a loud noise and he backed into my view in the window. When he saw me, he screamed at me to leave."

"So, if something happens to him someday, you'll take care of him? If he needs it?"

I nodded unsurely. Where was this going? My heart was pounding, my stomach flopping. I wasn't sure if I was afraid or nervous of what she was going to say next.

Brianna walked up right next to me and looked me in the eye. "One day at school," she said almost silently, "Evan had a bruise on his arm and tape around his fingers. He wouldn't tell me what happened, but we were talking the whole day before and he wasn't hurt. Whatever happened, happened in the morning."

My eyes grew wide. "So you're saying--"

"Hey!" I jumped when Scotty shouted at us. "You girls ready to get going?"

Brianna said, "I just need to buy a few things and we will be."

As we walked to the register, she said, "I'm saying be careful. I don't want you to get hurt. If he's hiding that, who knows what else he's hiding." I looked back at him. That carefree smile did seem like it was hiding something.