In love with a bad neighbor

Chapter thirteen - He is a devil

Emma's POV:

I like two things. One of them is spending time with Vince. The other one is when my mom doesn't ask me questions or makes me go out with the jerk. Lately, I haven't seen Ricky, except when he came to take me from school. I feel like this will change soon. Up to now, mom hasn't told him to be at home more often, but I got a bad feeling about this. Let's hope that no one will understand about my neighbor. He is the only one with who I feel comfortable sharing everything and I don't want to lose that. Also, he is my friend. Yes, we do some things, but mostly, we try to keep it friendly. It's not like this is working. Maybe if we stop making out and start acting like normal friends, things will change. I don't like hiding him as well, but what else do I have to do. If mom finds out that I am going out with someone else, she will kill me. Not for real, but I will be grounded for infinite time. I don't want this to happen. Moreover, she might tell Ricky to come home every day, so I can't escape or somehow see Vince. It's better if I don't think about this. To be honest, I don't see anything wrong with being friends with someone. Well, if we were acting like friends. All I want is to have a peaceful life, and I hope that no one will ruin this. By no one, I mean Ricky.

It's Saturday, which means that I don't have to do anything. Up to now, this is exactly what I did. My parents were outside, so I had my lunch alone. I could've called Vince, but I wasn't sure when they would come back. Now it's not the right time for me to reveal secrets. To be honest, I don't think that it will come at all. I don't want to hide him my whole life, but until I have a better plan, I will do it. It's good that Vince doesn't mind. I think that he likes this mystery.

Currently, I am in the kitchen with my parents. They came back from their shopping spree. I don't know why they need so many things, but it's not my business. After all, they don't spend my money. I see that mom will cook again. Please tell me that we won't have guests. Only one family comes to our house. I was wondering if my parents have friends because I have never seen them with other people. They probably do, but just don't go out very often.

- Will we have guests again?

- No. We will be the guests.

- You have to be kidding me. We'll have dinner in the devil's house?

- Emma, don't talk like that about people!

- But Ricky is a devil. You have no idea how he is treating me.

- Emma, that's enough! I don't want to listen to how you are offending this boy.

I didn't say anything and walked into my room. I took my phone and sat near the window. Why can nobody understand that Ricky doesn't like me? He is only taking benefits from my insecurities. Even my phone can't distract me. I quickly got lost in my thoughts when I felt a cheek kiss. I turned around to see Vince. At least he is on my side. I gave him a sad smile and he returned it.

- Why are you sad? - I asked him

- Why are you?

- I asked first.

- I don't like it when you are sad. This is why I am. What about you?

- Tonight we'll have dinner at Ricky's house.

- What? You can't go there. Not after what happened the last time.

- I don't have a choice.

- Then I am coming with you.

- No! Are you crazy? You can't come with me. I don't want anyone to understand that I have been lying and hiding you.

- I won't leave you alone with him.

- I won't be alone. Our parents will be there and I know that he will behave.

- Are you sure that everything will be ok?

- Yes, I am. You don't have to worry about me. If something happens, I will call you.

- Ok. I'll wait for your call. - he said, chuckling

We talked for a while, and later I got dressed for dinner. I let Vince into my room to say if I look good. He wanted to pick my clothes, but I didn't let him. Let's say that I had a feeling of what he would pick. I have no problem wearing it, but my mom won't let me. I know that she wants me to look good. I gave him a goodbye kiss and walked downstairs. This time mom didn't say anything about my clothes. I guess that she liked them.

After an hour, we arrived at Ricky's house. A servant opened the door. I will never get used to this. The man led us to the kitchen. I have to say that the house looks great, but the people in it are not, or only one of them. I still don't like that we are here, but I have to act well. All of us sat at the table, and soon another servant put the appetizers in front of us. The food looks delicious. Ricky was giving me looks from time to time, but I ignored him. Soon the main meal was served. How does this food look so good? If mom was cooking like this. Ok, she is cooking amazing. The thing is that she doesn't have that much time to care about how food looks. I ate everything. It was delicious.

- Why don't you two go and do something? You don't have to stay with the adults. - mom said

- I'm good. I like spending time with you.

- Emma, for once, listen to me.

- Let's go. I will show you something in the backyard. - Ricky said

Great. Just great. Now I have to be with the jerk. I walked after him. I know that he won't show me anything. He said this just to be nice. If he tried something like the last time, I would run away.

- I know that you won't show me anything.

- Actually... there is something that I want you to see. - he said and walked up to one of the tables

- What is that?

- A gift for you.

- I don't like jewelry.

- Yes, you do.

- No, I don't. I told you the first day that we met. You tried to impress me and I told you that this is one of the things that I don't like.

- You are so ungrateful. Do you know how much this is?

- I don't care. If you want to be with me, you have to know what I like. It's not like this will happen.

- Ok, then. I have something else for you. - he said and grabbed my hand

- Where are we going?

- You will see.

Soon we were in something like a cage. It was made out of sticks. I can see what's outside, but I don't think that you can see what's inside. Why can't this boy understand that I don't like him? He tried to kiss me, but I slapped him. Maybe that was a mistake. He grabbed my hand and pulled me close. Now, there is no escaping. How am I supposed to get out of here? I know what he wants, but I will never give it to him. Ricky is the last person who I will kiss. He was about to try again when I kicked his leg and ran away. I walked back inside.

- Emma, what happened? Are you ok? - miss Campbell asked

- No. I'm not ok. I'm sorry to say it, but your son is crazy. He is forcing me to do things that I don't want to.

- Emma, take your words back! - mom said

- No, I won't do it. All the time, I was nice because of you. No one ever asked me if I wanted to be here. You are very good people, but your son is not. I'm sorry, but I can't stay here.

- Emma, if you go now, I will tell the truth. - Ricky said

- Say how many lies you want.

- Let me send you.

We walked to the door when he grabbed my hand again. I hate him so much. Maybe I should've called Vince. I removed his hand and ran away. The jerk decided to follow me. I have to hide somewhere. Soon I found two buildings. I hid in the little space between them. There I found a dog.

- Hey, come here. I won't hurt you.

I was about to stroke his head when he bit my hand. Why did he do that? Damn it! I have to go home as quickly as possible. As I was running, I noticed that Ricky somehow had found me. I managed to escape and ran as fast as I could. There is only one person who can help me. I walked up to Vince's house and knocked on the door. One woman opened it. Probably his mom.

- Is Vince here?

- Yes, he is in his room.

- Can I come in? Please.

- Sure.

I walked in and saw Vince coming downstairs. I don't want him to see me like that, but I had no other choice. He looked surprised to see me there. I said that no one should know about us, but I need help.

- Emma? What are you doing here?

I didn't say anything and hugged him. How much I needed this. I won't cry, no matter what I want to. Soon I pulled away and looked at him. I was about to say something when I received a kiss. This is the only medicine that I need right now. All I wanted was to feel important to someone, and I think that Vice is the only one who can do it.

- Emma, what happened?

- We went to this dinner and... everything was great until mom didn't make me spend some time with him. He gave me a gift, but I rejected it because I don't like jewelry. Then we walked to something like a cage. He tried to kiss me, but I slapped him. Then he grabbed my hand and pulled me close. When he tried again, I kicked him and ran away.

- Is this from him? - he asked, pointing to my hand

- No. I hid between two buildings and saw a dog. I tried to touch his head, but he bit me.

- Come with me.

Both of us walked into the kitchen. He made sit on one of the chairs and walked away. Soon, Vince came back with a first-aid kid. I was about to say that it was not that bad, but he put his finger on my mouth. He pulled out what he would need and started with my hand. I looked at him, but there was no reaction. I have never seen him taking so much care of anything.

- There you go. This should help.

- Thanks. I appreciate it.

- No problem.

- Vince?

- Hmm.

- Are you mad?

No answer. I guess that he is. I didn't want this to happen, but how was I supposed to stop him? Ricky is the devil.

- I'm sorry. I didn't want this to happen.

- I'll go there.

- What? You can't do this. Please think straight. No one should know about you. Otherwise, you won't see me again. Is this what you want? To lose me.

- But he...

- I don't care. For me, you are more important than this jerk.

- Really?

- Yes. Please calm down.

- Ok, I won't do anything.

- Thank you.

- What do you want us to do now?

- It's better if I go home.

- No, no. I'm not letting you.

- In that case, I won't deny a movie.

Both of us walked upstairs for a movie. When it finished, I walked home. I gladly would've used the window, but it's not open. I didn't want to mess him with this, but I didn't know who else would help me. He is my only friend. Probably his parents will ask many questions. It wasn't the best way they could find out who I am, but I hope that they will understand me. Maybe I need to talk with them and tell the truth. I know that it's risky, but I am getting tired of hiding. Moreover, it's getting harder. Let's hope that they won't tell my parents. I trust Vince and I know that he will explain to them how things are right now. He is my life savior.