The nobody i fell for

Chapter 7

THE NOBODY I FELL FOR

Chapter Seven — Blake’s POV

There was something peaceful about waking up and knowing I didn't have to rush anywhere.

No lecture.

No assignment due in a few hours.

No Brent calling me repeatedly because I'd forgotten about something.

I opened my eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling above my bed.

Sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting pale golden shapes across the wall. Outside, birds chirped from the trees, and somewhere in the neighborhood, I could hear a lawnmower humming in the distance.

I reached for my phone on the small table beside my bed.

8:47 a.m.

I smiled.

For once, I could sleep in.

I stretched before climbing out of bed and making it neatly. My room wasn't big. There was my bed against the wall, a small wooden desk beside the window, a wardrobe that had seen better days, and a few books stacked beside my laptop.

Nothing fancy.

But it was home.

I grabbed a clean shirt and headed to the bathroom across the hallway.

After showering and getting dressed, I walked into the living room.

"Morning, Grandma."

She was sitting in her favorite chair near the window, a cup of tea warming her hands.

"Morning, my boy."

I walked over and kissed her forehead.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

I gave her a look.

"You're sure?"

She smiled.

"Yes, I'm sure."

I wasn't completely convinced, but I let it go.

I headed into our small kitchen and opened the cupboard.

There wasn't much.

A few slices of bread.

Some cereal.

A jar of peanut butter.

I made myself toast and sat across from Grandma.

She watched me with a smile.

"So, no university today?"

"No classes."

"Then what are you doing?"

I shrugged.

"Probably going to see Maddison."

Her smile widened.

"Your girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"You haven't seen her in a few days."

"I know."

"Then go."

I laughed.

"You're kicking me out?"

"No. I'm telling you to spend time with your girlfriend."

I shook my head.

"Okay, okay."

I finished eating and stood up.

Before leaving, I grabbed my wallet and keys from the table.

"Do you need anything while I'm out?"

Grandma thought for a moment.

"No, I'm alright."

"Promise?"

She nodded.

"I promise."

I smiled.

"Okay."

I stepped outside.

The morning air was cool and fresh, carrying the smell of damp grass and the faint aroma of someone's breakfast drifting through the neighborhood.

I walked to my car and pulled out my phone.

Me: You home?

Maddison replied almost immediately.

Maddison: Yes. Why? 👀

I smiled.

Me: I'm coming over.

Three dots appeared.

Maddison: You could've warned me 😭

Me: Want me to stay home?

Her response came instantly.

Maddison: Absolutely not. Hurry up 😂

I laughed.

I started the car and pulled onto the road.

As I drove, yesterday kept replaying in my mind.

The mansion.

The garden.

That job.

I still couldn't believe how easily I'd gotten it.

I'd expected an interview.

Questions.

Maybe a background check.

Instead, the girl who answered the door had simply looked at me and said I was hired.

I wondered whether her parents would actually agree.

Then again, it wasn't my problem.

As long as I could work.

As long as I got paid.

That's all that mattered.

After about twenty minutes, I arrived at Maddison's house.

I had barely parked when the front door opened.

Maddison stepped outside.

She was wearing a loose sweatshirt, leggings, and her hair was tied into a messy bun.

She smiled when she saw me.

"You actually came."

"You told me to hurry."

She laughed before walking over and hugging me.

I hugged her back.

"Missed you," I said quietly.

She pulled away.

"Aw."

"Don't make it weird."

She laughed.

"Come inside."

I followed her into the house.

The living room was warm and bright, sunlight pouring through the large windows and making everything feel cozy.

We sat on the couch.

Maddison immediately started telling me about something one of her friends had done at university.

I listened, occasionally laughing.

She eventually stopped and looked at me.

"Okay."

"What?"

"What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Blake."

I sighed.

She knew me too well.

"I got the job."

Her eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

She smiled brightly.

"That's amazing!"

"Thanks."

"What kind of job?"

I hesitated for half a second.

"Gardening."

She blinked.

"Gardening?"

"Part-time."

A smile spread across her face.

"That's actually kind of cute."

I laughed.

"Don't call it cute."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to be covered in dirt."

"So?"

"So that's not cute."

She laughed.

"Where is it?"

"Some mansion on the north side."

Her eyebrows rose.

"A mansion?"

"Yeah."

"Rich people?"

"Very."

She studied my face.

"Are you okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. You always complain about rich people."

"I don't complain about rich people."

She gave me a look.

I laughed.

"Okay, maybe sometimes."

"Exactly."

We spent the next few hours talking, laughing, and watching movies.

At some point, we went outside and sat beneath the large tree in her backyard.

The leaves rustled gently above us, moving with the breeze while sunlight slipped through the branches in little patches.

Maddison rested her head against my shoulder.

"You seem happier."

I looked at her.

"I am."

"Why?"

I thought about Grandma's smile from last night.

About the roasted chicken she'd bought to celebrate my new job.

About how relieved she'd looked when I told her I'd finally found work.

"Things are finally looking up," I said.

Maddison smiled.

"I'm happy for you."

I looked across the yard.

For the first time in a while, I wasn't thinking about money.

I wasn't thinking about bills.

I wasn't thinking about whether we'd have enough for Grandma's medication.

I'd found a job.

It wasn't glamorous.

It wasn't something I'd imagined myself doing.

But it was honest work.

And right now, that's all I needed.

I had no idea how long the job would last.

I had no idea what kind of family I was about to work for.

And I certainly didn't know what was waiting for me beyond those gates.

All I knew was that tomorrow, I'd be going back to that mansion.

And I'd better be ready to work.