Trouble Next Door

chapter ten

"You missed that spot".

Lucas said for the umpteenth time, earning a furious groan from me. Lucas had decided to punish me! Can you believe it? He was totally blackmailing me to do things for him. Either that or my aunt would know what really happened on the night of the party. I was definitely going to get him back! He had me washing his motorbike. It was one of those super cool power bikes. Sleek and black. Who the hell drives a power bike in this suburban neighborhood anyways? Well it helped with his bad boy personae. Just when I thought i was done with washing he said again..

"That spot again love".

Alright I've had it! I glared at him.

"What's the matter love? He asked innocently.

"Why are you tormenting me?! I groaned. "It's already sparkling clean".

"It's just fun to see you fret". He said smiling devilishly.

Fret? Nerd alert! Lucas Donnovan keeps on surprising me. I was curious about one thing.

"Where'd you even go to school?" I asked.

"Why? Taking interest in my personal life now love?"

Urgh! Why must he always tease me about everything. I was asking a reasonable serious question.

"Just curious. Your accent".

"Was born in England".

"OK... So your mom...

"Don't wanna talk about her". He said cutting me short, his expression clouding. Alright! His mom was definitely a sour subject.

"OK sorry". I said putting up my hands in defence. "What do I do to get out of this?" He seemed to think about it. A mischievous smile lit up his face. "Not anything inappropriate or degrading".

"Nah love, I'd never degrade you"

"Really?" I said looking down at the bucket of soapy water and wet towel in my hand. "Cause that seems to be all you've been doing lately".

He burst out laughing, startling me. I stared transfixed at him for a while,watching him laugh. A smile pulled on the corner of my lips.

"You're something else Maury". He said wiping his eyes. I clearly amused him. "I like you".

It was a statement. An honest one. It stirred something in me which I immediately brushed aside. Did I hear him correctly? Like me? Yeah. Right. Of course he didn't mean it that way. It was probably to tease me.

"Well the feeling isn't mutual!" I snarled.

The smile drained from his face and I thought I registered hurt in his eyes for a split second. I definitely must be seeing things. I didn't have the ability of hurting Lucas. It was the other way round.

His signature smirk came back on. "Common don't tell me you don't even like me a little love". He teased.

"I don't!" I lied blatantly.

Alright I had to admit. The kid's growing on me. Even when I hated him I had been attracted to him. And now I discovered that I didn't hate him, I wasn't just attracted to him. I had begun to like him. Actually like him! That scared me. He was fun to be around and bandying words with him had become my favorite pastime. But I couldn't let myself like him. Why? I'd definitely end up falling for him. I couldn't allow that. I'd only end up getting hurt. And boys like him were born for the sole purpose of breaking girls' hearts.

It was official! I really was falling for him. Hard! And I needed to do something about it. I had to stay away from him. Far away. I wondered how I was going to manage that. He definitely wasn't going to let me. I was an entertainment to him and he had me hooked.

"Come to a party with me". He said suddenly. Seriously.

Yeah right. Like I'd do that. How would that fit with my staying away plan.

"What makes you think I'd do that?"

The smirk came on. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"If it's about the drugging stuff, then fine. Tell. File a complaint. No one would even believe you. I mean, how could tiny me manage that? It's my word against yours".

"Oh is it now?"

"Yeah!" I stamped. "You can't mess with me anymore!"

"Well perhaps this will convince you".

He brought out a familiar sachet of pills from his jean pocket. What the! Kill me now! How the hell did he even get that? Realization dawned on me. Of course he must have sneaked it off me. After all he was the first wake up after the party. He had definitely kept it as a blackmailing tool.

"Where'd you get that?" I gasped, my face going pale.

His face broke into an evil grin. "Where'd you think?"

I lunged for it and he easily side stepped me. "Nah ah love... don't make it any harder on yourself".

"Give it back!"

"Yeah right... then how the hell would I pull your strings love? I think I'm keeping it". He put it back in his pocket.

"No one would believe it belongs to me".

"Would they now?" He said folding his arms, eyebrows raised. "But of course Kathy's aunt wouldn't find it funny".

What the...

"How'd you... "

"Surprise there right? I did my research. Kathy definitely stole it from her aunt's hospital. That d**g is very rare. Not something to be found in an ordinary d**g store. Now you wouldn't let your best buddy get into trouble would you?"

It was official. I was doomed. Forever at the mercy of Lucas. I saw the light bulb immediately. Unless of course I found a way to get back that pill. But first I had to play along.

"Where's the party?" I asked with a sigh.

Lucas grinned sheepishly. "Now that's a good girl".

"Why do you even want me along? Don't you have a girlfriend to ask?"

"Is that a subtle way of asking me if i'm seeing someone? Wanna fill that position?"

"In your dr...." I began then thought better of it, remembering the dream incident.

Lucas of course did not fail to catch this and burst out laughing. "As in yours definitely". He winked at me. "Care to tell me about the dream I featured in?"

Never! Like I'd tell him.

"None of your concern".

A mischievous glint came into his eyes. "Common love... I was in it. I'm dying of curiosity here".

Is this guy for real?

"Nope".

"Is it by chance.....R. rated... His voice trailed off. "Cause the way you were calling out my name it definitely...."

"Urgh!" I blocked my ears. Lucas burst out laughing again.

Did he just call my dream R rated. The pig! I was ashamed and upset to think how close to the mark he was. I realized that Lucas would not give it up so i gave him another version of the dream.

"Seriously Maury". Lucas said unconvinced. "Even in your dreams I couldn't be a troll. I'm too hot for that".

I told him he had turned into a troll, chasing me in my dream.

"You were definitely a troll".

"Why the hell would I be a troll? Common tell me it's a lie". He pouted.

In a grown up pouting would look ridiculous but Lucas was gorgeously adorable. What the hell was this boy doing to my senses? But I definitely wasn't going to let him out of his misery.

"Definitely a troll".

He groaned. "I don't believe you".

"It's my dream not yours?"

"Since you were running from me and all, that would explain why you were breathless calling out my name".

Then a devious smile crossed his face and I stilled myself for his next comment. Lucas always said silly things after he smiled like that.

"Don't Lucas.....Lucas.. " He mimicked me again breathlessly, watching me pale. "That's the wrong kind of breathless when being chased..." Suddenly his voice dropped low and he had an intense expression on his face. "Common Maury tell me the truth. We were about to get down and dirty weren't we? That dream's definitely R rated".

What the hell?

I blushed to the root of my hair. I threw the wet towel at him and turned away. Lucas burst out laughing.

"Remember the party. It's by eight!" He called after me.

"Screw you!"

"And bring Kathy along!"

"Why?"

"Don't know. Pip wants her there".

"She won't come. She's busy".

"Doing what?"

"Teaching at a night school".

"Wow I had no idea she was that smart".

Hearing the offensive statement about my friend I turned back to glare at him. "Why you i***t. Cause she's blonde?"

He stifled laughter. "You said it not i".

I stamped out if the yard angrily. "Well forget it!"

"Common you know you have to do it love. After all it's her pills. Wouldn't want her to get in trouble now would you?"

"Screw you!"

"Gladly".