Pretty Predator

Chapter 1: Michael

I left the house in a hurry because I was late for class, and I just hoped and prayed that there would be no traffic. Apparently, my alarm had rang quite a lot, but I didn’t hear it and only woke up when my mom came into my room, yelling at me to wake up. That lady is one fierce and scary woman, but I love her to death. When I arrived at school, my class was already halfway through, so I winged it and went to the library to study for the test I had later in the day. University was hard. There was a lot of work and tests, but I had no choice but to persevere. I was in the library for an hour when my friend Emmanuelle sat across from me and took out his books.

“Hey, man. I missed you in class.” He said, and I brushed my hand over my face.

"I woke up late and was late for class, but at least I got to study more for our test.” He laughed.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a tough one.” he said, sounding exasperated. I didn’t respond because it was true, and we both knew it. Instead, I went back to studying, and he did the same. My friends are cool and good people. We’re a tight-knit group, and they’re like my second family. We’re a diverse group, not only in race but also in gender, age, and fields of study. After a while, my phone rang, making a loud noise in the very silent library, so I quickly went outside.

“Hey, Mercy.”

“Hi. I just wanted to know where you were. I’m with the others here, and we are only missing you and Emmanuelle.”

“We are at the library studying for our test.

“Ooh, sorry, we forgot about that. So, you guys can’t hang out right now?” Emmanuelle came out the door carrying our bags, and I shot him a questioning look.

“We have class right now.” He said, looking at me as if I were weird. Oops, I had totally forgotten about that. My mind was pretty occupied these days, which was beginning to be a problem.

“Mercy, listen, man. Emmanuelle and I must get to class right now, so how about we all hang out tomorrow?” I said, taking my bags from Emmanuelle.

“Tomorrow is perfect, and it's Saturday, so everyone will be free. Let me not keep you any longer. Bye.” We went to class, and at least I was early for this class, thanks to Emmanuel. The class went smoothly, and then it was time for our next one, which I was not ready for. I wrote the test as best as I could, and at the end, I just hoped that my best was good enough, as the test counted towards my final mark. After the test, I was so tired, and I just wanted to throw myself into bed and not wake up.

“Emmanuelle,” I yelled as I saw him hurrying out of the class.

“What’s up, dude?” He asked, ready to bolt at any minute.

“Are you in a hurry?” I asked him.

“Yep, Mellissa is waiting for me. We are going on a date.” I grinned. Melissa was Emmanuelle’s girlfriend, and they had started dating after months of pursuing her, so I was happy for him and her, of course, since she was my best friend.

“We'd better not keep her waiting then, especially with that temper of hers.”

“I know, right. See you tomorrow.” He said, already on his way out the door, and ladies and gentlemen, that is why I have a girlfriend who is sweet and angelic and who is calling me right now.

“Babe,” I answered. She started rambling about something, but I had no idea what she was saying.

“Ooh, please calm down and tell me again, but slowly this time.” I laughed, and she giggled. Oof, my heart.

“Okay, I’m sorry, babe. I was just saying that I witnessed a robbery today when I was coming back from the mall. I was so scared, but I managed to call the police even though that guy was already gone when they arrived.” I became worried.

“Are you okay, Mae, and where are you right now?”

“I’m okay. I was at the police station to give my statement, but I’m home now.”

“Okay, that is good. I will pass by there on my way home.” I was still worried, and if I didn’t see her, I would continue worrying.

“Okay, babe, I will be waiting.” I hung up the call and went to my car. Just as I had promised, when I arrived at Mae’s place, I called her, and she came outside.

“Hi, babe,” I said and pecked her lips.

“Hey.”

“Are you really okay?” I asked her, looking straight into her eyes.

“I’m okay, you don’t have to worry about me. Today was a lot, but I survived, and how was your test?” She asked.

“Let’s sit down first, I’m tired.” We sat on the pavement on the side of the road.

“The test was okay. I understood many questions, and yeah, I think I nailed it.”

She intertwined our fingers and leaned her head on my shoulder.

“That’s good, babe,” she said, sighing softly. “I love being here like this with you. I love you, Michael.” I smiled at that and turned to face her. I held her tiny, adorable face in my hands. I loved her so much, and I didn’t think that there was ever anything that would break us apart. It was us against the world. I would do absolutely anything for Mae. Mae and I have been together for three years. We started dating in high school. She was not my first love, but hopefully, she was my last love.

“I have to go home now before my mom gets worried, and I am also tired.” She pouted and stood up from the ground.

“I don’t want you to leave, but I understand. I will see you tomorrow.” I stood up and gave her a long hug. I watched her enter the house before I got into my car and drove home. When I arrived home, I found my family at the dining table waiting for me so that we could start eating dinner.

“Hey, guys. I’m sorry I’m late.” I said as I kissed my mom on the cheek before settling down.

“How was your test?” My dad asked, and I rolled my eyes. Leave it to my dad to ask about school every single day.

“It was great. I think I did well.” I responded and started eating my food. I didn’t realize how much I was starving until I saw the food.

“That’s good then.” My dad said and then returned to what he was doing. I was the baby in the family. All my siblings had finished school and were working, but nobody was ready to move out of the house, even though they could afford to. When I asked my mom why, she said it was a family tradition that everyone stayed together in the same house, and that is why the house was ridiculously huge. Our house was a freaking mansion, but I didn’t really mind because I could host as many people as I wanted, and I also had plenty of space to myself. Everyone was quiet until my cunning sister Moira ruined it.

“Did you go see your girlfriend, Michael?” She asked in a mocking tone, and I smiled at her antics. She was the sister that I confided in. I loved her to pieces.

“Of course, I did, Moira. I think it's about time you also got a boyfriend, don’t you think?” I asked her with a smirk on my face, and her cheeks turned red.

“Michael, don’t embarrass your sister.” My mom said, trying to be serious, but I could see her fighting her laughter.

“Well, she started it, but because I’m a gentleman, I will let it go,” I winked at Moira. We continued eating our dinner, listening to Dad and Justin talking about business.

“Moira, a little help with the dishes, please.” Moira stood up and started picking up the dishes.

“Of course, baby brother, I would love to help.” She said mockingly and then left to go to the kitchen. I grumbled. I didn’t like being called baby brother, and she knew that very well, so that is why she was trying to provoke me. I followed her to the kitchen after clearing the table.

“You are such a brat, Moira,” I said to her immediately when I entered the kitchen.

“I know, but you don’t have the right to point it out to me because I am older than you.” I rolled my eyes.

“You are only 2 years older than me, so please stop making it a big deal,” I said.

“It doesn’t matter, I am still older than you, and you should respect me. What are you doing tomorrow?” She swiftly changed the topic.

“I’m hanging out with the guys. Why?” I’m certain she wanted me to accompany her somewhere.

“Something is suspicious about this gang of yours.” She said, pointing a finger at me.

“What do you mean by that exactly?” I asked her because it was not the first time, she had said something like that, and I was not about to let it go again.

“You guys are always together and very close. It's like you are gangsters and are dealing drugs.” She said, and I laughed at that. She was ridiculous.

“Yes, we are the big bad wolves, and we sell drugs,” I said sarcastically. After a few seconds, I turned to look at her because she had suddenly gone quiet, and she looked scared.

“H-How did you know about that?” She stuttered, but she only did that when she was scared, surprised, or anxious. I gave her a worried look because she was acting weird.

“What do you mean?” I asked her.

“You said t-that…”

“Michael.” Moira couldn’t finish what she was saying because my mom called me. I left the kitchen and went to see what she wanted. When I entered the dining room, it was so tense, but I had no idea why, and my siblings couldn’t even look me in the eyes.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” She gave me a forced smile.

“You should get to bed, honey; Moira will finish washing the dishes.” Something was strange, and I was going to find out what it was. There was no way that they could have heard my conversation with Moira, so what was wrong?

“I’m not feeling sleepy, I can help her,” I told her, but she shook her head.

“Listen to your mom, Michael, and go to bed.” My dad said with that authoritative voice of his, and I went straight to my room. I didn’t want to argue with my dad because every time we argued, it turned nasty. I tossed and turned the entire night in bed, thinking about the strange interaction with Moira and how the rest of my family was acting weird.