Freak
1161 Words
Waking up thirty minutes before, having a heated discussion with the hotel staff and driving really takes most of my time. That did not surprise me that I'm late for sixteen minutes. Rather, I am thankful that it did not take an hour.
I rush out of my car and at the last minute I tidy up my outfit and raven hair.
"You must be the realtor. Hi! My name is Heidi Monroe. I am the one who is moving in today," I shift my weight nervously from one foot to another as I talk to the man whose back is facing me.
The man turns around, towering over me.
He has a built body enclosed in a button down shirt, crisp suit and pair of slacks. His sun-kissed skin, pair of baby blue eyes, strong bone structure and dirty blond hair mix into a harmonious image.
I can tell that this guy spends most of his time outdoors. Getting his hands dirty-. Don't go there, Heidi!
I catch my breath as I try to register the guy standing before me.
"Good morning. You finally showed up. Austin Bryant," he flashes me a playful smile as he shakes my hand.
"I am really sorry that I'm late," I am already talking fast and I can see nothing but amusement in his eyes.
"Please. It's okay. Shall we?"
The house has two storeys that are definitely an open concept. The living-dining-kitchen area is spacious. Vaulted wood ceilings, beautiful walnut floors, comfortable and quality furnishings make up the entire home. Exactly what I wanted.
He shows me at the back of the house where there is a small garden and the view from here is just...majestic. The unbelievable long range mountain view and serene landscape left me in awe. I close my eyes as I take in the surroundings.
"It's beautiful."
I turn to him and my cheeks blush as I see his burning gaze fixed on me.
"Yes. Beautiful," he agreed.
I clear my throat and we walk back to the main door.
"Well, I hope you enjoy staying here. It's a perfect place if you want to start fresh," he said as haphazardly motions to the house.
"Definitely. Are you sure you don't want to stay? I can bake some mean banana muffins."
"I'll take you up on that. But, I still have somewhere to go to," he places one of his hand in his pocket and light refracts from his eyes causing the baby blue eyes to glow brighter.
"What are you doing tomorrow night?" He continued.
"Nothing, really. Why?"
"Let's have dinner. Maybe I'll show you around town."
"I don't know. You might be a serial killer and this is a test if I'm going to fall into your trap," I jokingly said as I fold my arms on my chest.
"Hm. Maybe I am the i***t who asks you out for dinner and it turns out that you're kind of expecting it. Then later you will attack when I least expect it," his lips curl into a smile as his gaze focusing on me that just makes me want to melt into him like butter.
"I do have skeletons in my closet. Do you want to see it?"
"I look forward to that."
There's a long pause before I respond, "I am warning you now. It's your last chance to bail."
Considering my emotional baggage and a supernatural being that follows me everywhere, I don't think this will not last long. This guy is going to be running towards the hills. So, I am trying to do damage control before anything falls into place.
"I'm not going anywhere. What are you hiding anyway? Are you in a relationship with someone?", he knowingly asks me.
"Nothing and no. All is fine."
"Perfect. I'll see you tomorrow, Heidi."
"Great. I'll see you."
I close the door and slump on the couch. I look at the ivory ceiling.
This is a fresh start for me. I have my new home in an unknown town. No one knows me as the weird girl or the lady who talks to ghosts. It is kind of funny to think about it, but back then it is my trademark.
Now, I am walking on a clean slate and having to live a little is not that much to ask.
"Go have fun. I bet you'll forget about Tim in no time." I remember Kath's words when she shouted it to my ear through the phone. She is a character and I miss her so much.
I will have fun. I close my eyes and wish that the Shadow will not come tomorrow and ruin this for me like he does.
I am going with Austin tomorrow and see what what happens.
12 Years Earlier...
"Spin! Spin! Spin! Spin!"
It's a Saturday night and everyone is having fun at Maci Lotte's house. Only the cool kids are invited.
We are gathering in a circle with chips and drinks on a red cup playing Seven Minutes in Heaven. It's way past my curfew and I know that my parents will notice when I replaced myself with piles of clothes and pillows on my bed.
Romeo Darci. I have a huge crush on him since a year ago. He is cute and nice. Everyone also loves him which sucks but really, that's the charisma that he gives off.
And I am praying that the bottle that he's spinning lands on me.
"Heidi! You're in luck! Seven minutes in heaven for you two," Heather said, as she pushes us into a dark closet. When we are alone, I can hear them whispering and giggling from the outside.
"We don't have to do it," I said softly.
"No. I want to."
"The truth is...I like you, Romeo."
"Yeah. That's cool," his eyes widens as he licks his upper lip. "I...I like you too. So, should we do this? We have to-to get out of here. You know?"
I shouldn't have agreed and just accept the next dare. But, I did not move when he comes closer and kiss me. It's my first kiss and I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. As a thirteen year old girl, this really is the turning point of my year. Finally, I told my crush that I like him and it turns out he like me too. Oh, so I thought.
I can't help the feeling that someone is watching me. It makes me uneasy until I open my eyes.
At the dark side, just a few inches away from Romeo, is a pair of red eyes gleaming like lava. It stares at me with fury. Nausea and fear takes over me like a tidal wave. And next thing happens...
I scream. As hard as I could.
"What? Heidi, are you okay?"
I cower as I move backwards. The pair of eyes looking straight at me with intense gaze, scares me to my core.
"You, freak!"
After that party, I become the weird girl who sees ghosts. Nobody wants to be my friend and nobody bothers to talk to me. I'm the freak who's alone.
Romeo tells everyone in our class what happened and it was the worst.
Not until Kath transferred two years later.
My whole high school life, I am the freak.
- Writer
