A Dangerous Game •Jon Moxley•

01; Booty Calls & Coffee

I made sure to remind my mom dozens of times that she owed me big time for leaving. Her job unfortunately had her away from home for months on end, but I couldn't complain because she was making a big difference.

She mainly worked in Africa, making clean water available to places that need it most.

Since my dad passed away when I was little, that meant staying with my only other relative that hasn't kicked the bucket yet. Unfortunately.

Aunt Kathie.

She lived in Cincinnati Ohio with her son, my cousin Jacob. We weren't close at all, but I was seventeen, technically still a minor, so it was mandatory.

Kathie texted me their address when my flight landed, so I took a cab to their house.

I rang the doorbell and anxiously awaited for someone to answer. When the door did open, I was shocked to see an older looking Jacob standing infront of me.

"Hey Astrid come on in!" He pulled me inside, then shut the door again.

"Hi Jacob..I see you've gotten taller.." I teased. He used to be short when he was younger and we joked about it all the time.

"Yeah yeah, finally taller then you!" He stuck his tongue out. "My moms at the store picking up last minute things. I'll show you your room."

I follow him upstairs and into a room overlooking the backyard. It contained a bed and dresser.

"You can obviously spruce things up to your liking, but we got you the basics." He nodded. "I'll leave you be, I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

"Thank you, Jacob." I sighed, setting my luggage down on the floor.

Once he shut the door and headed back down, I pulled my phone out, seeing messages from my friends from back home.

I missed them already. I dug my laptop out of my bag and went to my email, seeing a message from my new school.

They emailed me my schedule and locker combo Incase I wanted to stop by early. That would be the smart thing to do. I could find my way around so on Monday it wouldn't be so hard.

I took a picture of it and then went downstairs, finding Jacob infront of the TV playing video games.

"Do you have a car?" I wondered.

"Yeah, a truck that's in the garage, why?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm gonna go to the school, drive around and explore a little bit. I'll be back later." I shrugged.

Jacob fished his keys out of his back pocket and threw them to me. I headed out the door and went into the garage.

This used to be his father's truck..my uncle Andrew. He passed away with my father, in a car accident.

I backed out of the driveway and began heading down the road. The school wasn't too far away, only about ten minutes.

The few cars parked in the parking lot I assumed were teachers or janitors.

I went to the office and met Principal Weller. He showed me around the school, took me to my locker, and signed me up for AP classes.

My dream was to go to Harvard. I had been working for it practically my whole life. I applied there before summer and haven't heard back yet.

Needless to say, I wasn't worried one bit about starting school on Monday. Before going back to the house, I grabbed some coffee for me and Jacob, then went back.

There was a mustang parked in the driveway, which I figured wasn't Aunt Kathie's. Didn't seem like her type.

I carried the coffees inside and saw Jacob chatting with a strange guy. Looked his age. Scruffy hair, a beanie tucked over it. He was wearing ripped jeans and a black hoodie, and had shoes that were hanging by a thread.

He smirked as he noticed me. "You have your booty calls bring you coffee now?"

Jacobs cheeks turned pink. "She's not a booty call you ass..that's my cousin Astrid."

He raised an eyebrow, eyeing me up and down. "Your right, now that I've looked at her, she's not your type.."

I scrunched my nose up, "Hi to you too."

"I'm sorry, that was rude of me. I didn't even introduce myself." He frowned, getting up and heading over to me. "I'm Jonathan, but you missy can call me Jon."

"Are you done?" I rolled my eyes. I didn't like this dude already.

"Yes I am.." He nodded, before plucking the coffees out of my hands. "Thanks for the drink."

He took a sip out of what originally was my drink and gave the other one to Jacob, who gave me an apologetic look.

I bit my lip to refrain from saying anything else I'd probably regret and just stomped upstairs.

- - -

My eyes fluttered open to complete darkness. Shit.. what time was it?

I turned my phone on and the time read 6:30pm. Fuck. I had fallen asleep for three hours.

I ran down the stairs and into the dining room, seeing Jacob and Aunt Kathie already eating.

"Astrid! There you are! Your foods probably cold." Aunt Kathie smiled.

"Hi, Aunt Kathie.." I waved. "I'll just heat it up." I picked the plate of spaghetti up and set it in the microwave.

"Jon told me to tell you goodbye, although I'm not sure if he was joking or not when he said it.." Jacob shook his head.

"She met Jon? Oh honey I'm so sorry." Kathie frowned.

"Mom don't say that, he's my best friend! He'll warm up to Astrid, it just takes time.." he defended.

"Well don't worry about that, I'm not focused on making friends or getting to know people. I'm focused on Harvard." I corrected as I sat back down.

"Oh, your still going to Harvard?" Kathie looked shocked.

"Well..yeah..it's my dream for awhile. My dad went to Harvard, he wanted me too." I shrugged.

Kathie's grip on her water tightened. "I know that.."

She hated whenever I brought up my dad. I know it was hard for her considering her brother and husband died that day, but I couldn't hide it or try to forget it happened. I don't think I ever could.

"Mom..are you okay?" Jacob whispered.

"I'm fine, hon." Kathie stood up abruptly. "Just not hungry anymore. I have a busy day at work tomorrow, I'm gonna head to bed, goodnight."

Jacob and I ate in silence afterwards.