A Stranger to You

A Hoodie Like Mine

Serenity's POV

The three boys and I ate lunch at restaurant that Daniel's parents own. I knew the three of them were from a wealthy family, especially Nathan. He may act goofy and humble about most of things, but he has everything in the world. 

Right now, I'm in a very critical situation. We're in a five star restaurant to eat our lunch and the appetizers are being served. It says in the menu that it's called creamy shrimp and crab bisque, but I don't really give a damn. What matters now is how to figure out which flatware to use? I looked at all the different spoons, forks, and knives in front of me. My brows furrowed as I pick a fork that seems like an ordinary fork to me. I grabbed a small knife next. Hoping that the trio wont give me weird looks because I'm holding the wrong flatware. I raise my head to look at them and I was stunned to see Dannon sipping the soup directly in the bowl. Nathan was testing all the flatware in front of him. There are 3 spoons inside his bowl and another one on his hand. Daniel was the only decent one among us three. 

Dannon raised his brows at me. "What?" I shook my head at him and ate my food in comfort. I guess there wasn't really a problem.

Nathan always has a story to tell about everything he sets his eyes on. He kept our table lively as we all listened to his nonsense. Dannon kept teasing him and sometimes it would lead the them to an argument. Daniel was there to scold the two. Lucky for us we are separated from all the other customers in the restaurant because we could've been nuisance to them. Perks of being a friend of the owner's son, eh? I smiled at my thought. I still can't get myself to believe that I finally have friends now. 

"I'm stuffed!" Nathan stated while rubbing his stomach. "Where will we go next?" He asked. Daniel wiped his mouth with a table napkin before speaking.

"It should be Serenity's decision," He said while looking at me. Nathan and Dannon agreed and waited for me to respond.

"I don't know. I'm not really a fun person to be with." I honestly told them. This was my first time hanging out with people and I don't know what a clique usually do or go.

"How 'bout we just watch a movie?" Dannon suggested. 

"Cool, we can watch at your dad's movie house!"

We did not let any time go to waste. We all rose up in our seats and went to XP Movie House. I was first hesitant to go with them. My father forbids me to go to XPMH despite him knowing that I always wanted to experience movie realism. I asked him million times why I wasn't allowed to go there but he never gave me an answer. He has always been secretive especially when it's about my mother. I feel like I'm missing a lot about my life. Like it's an incomplete jigsaw puzzle and my father is hiding those last pieces. 

"Are you coming?" Dannon's voice shot me back to reality. "If your worried about the ticket then, worry no more. It's all on me," he said. I just shook my head at him. 

"It's fine," I never had trouble with money. My father gave me more than enough of it. He said my mother left me a huge ounce of cash that's enough for me to live my whole life. That's probably the only information about my mother that he told me. 

"No, Serenity. You are not allowed to decline." He said with a serious tone. I didn't argue with him anymore. Daniel waved at us while Nathan is busy buying snacks. He bought each one of us a large bag of popcorn and a bottle of drinks.

"I'll get us room," Dannon said before leaving. I saw him cut in line and ignored the complaints of the customers behind him. The staff seems to know him since he entertained Dannon instead of telling him to wait in line like the others. 

"Rich boy." I heard Nathan said. Dannon signaled us to follow him so we did.

"Hey, Sere," I turned to Nathan and saw him having trouble carrying two large popcorns and two bottles of apple juice. "Help?" I was about to grab the drinks from him since that's the only thing I can carry with one hand. My other one is carrying the popcorn at the moment. But he gave me the two popcorns which stunned me. "Sorry, just hold it for a bit a hero will come save you soon," He winked at me and walked beside Daniel. I didn't get what he said, but I chose not to complain and followed them. I held the three popcorn carefully to avoid it from spilling. I had a very hard time doing it though. Dannon turned around and looked at me with furrowed brows. For a moment there, I thought he was going to approach and help me, but he just shrugged his shoulders and kept walking. I ignored the pinch in my heart and continued walking. 

I saw Nathan gave Dannon the bottled water he was holding. They seemed like they were arguing after that, but I did not here them. Nathan sighed and turned to approach me. He gave me a smile and grabbed two popcorns from me. "I'm sorry about that," 

"It's fine," I said.

"The hero didn't act like a hero," He said quietly, but I was still able to hear it. I just shrugged my shoulders, thinking that he's just being Nathan.

Dannon stopped walking when a man in a lab coat approached us. I knew him of course, his face is printed all over the city billboards, online advertisements, and even the news. He's known as a legend, the man who made life easier, Anthony Kai Davis—Dannon's father.  The staff bent his head down to show respect while Dannon just stood there waiting to be noticed. My heart sank when professor Davis just passed his son and greeted Daniel. 

"How are you young Jones?"

"I'm fine, sir. Thank you for asking." 

Dannon was trying hard not to show any emotions, but I knew him. I know he's hurt. I was about to go to him, but my body froze in place when Prof. Davis' eyes met mine. "Mr. Cooper, is this your lady?" He asked Nathan without leaving his eyes from mine. 

"Oh, no, sir. She's a friend of ours," Nathan replied.

"I haven't seen her around you three before. Do you have a name, dear?" I swallowed a lump on my throat before answering. 

"Serenity, s-sir, Serenity Jade Evans." His eyebrows slightly arched up after hearing my name. 

"Serenity Jade, hmm majestic name," he reached for face and caressed my left cheek. "You remind me of someone." I felt the hair on my nape stood up. He left my cheek go and held his hand in front of me. "Nice meeting you Ms. Evans." My hands were cold and shaky when I reached his for a handshake. 

"I'm h-honored, s-sir," He stood straight with his hands on his back. "I shall let you go then. Have fun watching the movie." He gave me one last smile before walking away. I felt Nathan rubbed my back.

"Why are you always so edgy? it was only Dannon's Dad." I sighed. 

It's weird, I feel so tired after that. His eyes were looking at me intently, but was smiling ever so sweetly. What's more weird is his presence, it felt so cold that it sent goosebumps all over my body. 

***

The movie ended faster than I expected. It turns out that the four of us are potterheads, that's why we all agreed to watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone. The boys wanted more so we ended up watching HP and the Chambers of secrets too. I didn't enjoy the movie as much I enjoyed it when Dumbledore first appeared in front of me. I was so amazed how realistic it was. I tried touching him, but my hands passed through him. 

After that, my mind floated as I remembered my encounter with Prof. Davis. I have always admired his inventions and brilliancy in his field, but I never admired him as a person. He's unkind and insensitive when it come to his son. He left him alone to grow and conquer life on his own. What kind of father would do that? He may have provided him him abundance of wealth, but it was never enough. Dannon had a hard time in life because of him, but Dannon never hated him. That is why it is weird for me to feel  the need to see him again. My gut just tells me that I should. 

"Are you sure you don't want me to give you a ride?" Dannon asked me again for the hundredth time. I couldn't help but smile at him. Finally, I get to witness this side of him in reality. I felt a sting in my chest when I remembered all the memories we had in his dreams. That was where everything started for the both of us, but in this world we started in arguments. 

"It's fine, really."

"Let me call a cab for then."

I bid my goodbyes to them and went off.  I stopped at the supermarket near our place where I bought pesto last week. One thing that my father told me to do but never told me why I should do it is to never let anyone know where we live, even a cab driver. Dad told me to stop at our street because it's safer that way. It wasn't dark and the distance was enough to mislead someone.  I never once stopped there, I always stop at the supermarket because walking under the moonlight or in the darkness has always soothed me. 

I halted when I heard footsteps behind me. I slightly turned my head to see who it was. I took deep breaths to calm myself down. Maybe we're just heading to the same path. I told myself. I continued walking, but this time with faster pace. I noticed that the person was trying to keep up with me. I stopped and waited to hear footsteps. If his walking, then, he's probably not following or maybe his trying to get me. My hands started shaking. I heard no footsteps so, I slowly turned to see if the person was still there, and my heart raced when I saw him standing there. Waiting for me to make a move. "Sh*t," I uttered to myself when he started walking again. I started running as fast as I can towards our house. I went inside and locked the door. I was catching my breath when dad came out from the kitchen wearing pink apron. He's looking at me with worry in his eyes. 

"What's wrong?"

"Someone was—following me!" I said between breaths.

"What? Did you see his face?" He scurried beside me. "Are you okay?" I nodded my head at him.

"I couldn't see his face. He was—" I stopped, still trying to catch my breath. "He was wearing a hoodie like mine."