Chapter 24: Chapter Eleven

"Gabby? Gabby wait!"

I ignored him and brushed past his shoulder, I couldn't deal with him right now, not after the way he had acted at lunch. It was out of the ordinary for Rob to be any less than kind, and it had shocked me a bit, then again I couldn't expect Rob to be oblivious.

It was the way he handled it that hurt me, never once had he stormed off. Even when we would yell at each other, normally about something stupid like Rob not knowing how to work a microwave, or me not knowing basic math formulas. It was all petty and unneeded, but today seemed a lot different. It felt hostile.

Or maybe I'm just overreacting.

I stopped in my tracks, "What?" I snapped.

I instantly regretted it though, watching as his face fell, and he released a huff of air.

"Gabs, I'm sorry, okay. I'm just not feeling myself and I didn't mean to take it out in you, I shouldn't of stormed off like that and I don't really know why I did, I feel awful, I hate it when we don't talk and I guess I just really don't like the way Valentino looks at you. I don't want you getting mixed up in the wrong people, and I know you probably wouldn't even spare him a second glance but-- he's just-- he's just bad news Gabby. Everyone knows it and I don't want you to get hurt or even involved because you deserve better, you deserve a lot better..." he spoke quickly, and I tried my hardest to listen to all the words he was spluttering out.

He drifted off after his long rant, I was surprised to say the least. My eyebrows shifted up, and I sighed, waddling over to him.

"Chill, Rob. It's fine."

He threw his head back, and rubbed at his red face, as a grin broke out. He looked back at me and smiled awkwardly, itching the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, Gabby."

Playfully, I bumped shoulders with him as we walked out of school. "Me too."

I faked a smile and buried my worries under it, I prayed that he wouldn't ask any more about it, or say anything. I felt like screaming every time I thought about lying to him. He was my best friend, and he certainly didn't deserve anything less than the whole, honest truth.

But obviously I had to completely destroy any little shred of honesty I had in me, thanks to Adam.

"Why does he creep on you like that?" Rob pondered, peeking a glance at me.

I pushed my tongue to the side of my mouth before uttering another lie, "I don't know," I managed to string out some aspects of the truth, it was true that I still didn't know why he was so interested in me, I hadn't blabbed anything, and still wouldn't.

"I'm not sure he's even looking at me?" And that was a lie.

He nodded half-heartedly, my words flowing straight through him.

I watched as his eyes glazed over slightly as an awkward silence settled over the both of us.

"I-um... yeah. I need to catch the bus on time." I stated, slowly backing away. "I'll see you later, Rob."

He looked down at his shoes, scratching the back of his neck again, "Yeah, you too."

Without looking back, I scurried away from him, eager to escape the awkwardness.

★★   ★★   ★★

I tugged my purple blanket tighter around myself as I waddled to put the heating on, my muscles were stiff with the frosty air attacking them every chance it got. Winter was well on it's way, frost would grow like a fungus in the mornings, creating the walk to the bus a tiresome effort, which I dreaded every bitter morning.

Not to mention the fact that the church has no heating at all.

I shuddered at the mere thought.

Slowly, I trotted into the kitchen, hunger clawing at my stomach. I grabbed some leftovers from the fridge, retrieved a fork and began munching.

A little while later, my dad came thundering through the front door, he was unusually late, even for him.

"Hey," I greeted, glancing towards kitchen door as he stomped in, his lips pulled into a thin line, whilst he rubbed his hands together.

He grunted a muffled response.

My brows furrowed together, as I looked at him. He was wrapped in a dark green scarf, over his church attire he shrugged off his auburn coloured coat and laid it on the counter in front of me.

Confused, I watched him slam open the drawer holding the cutlery, they clashed together loudly, causing my ears to ring. I flinched away from the sound, he plodded back towards me, a fork in his hand.

"How was your day?" I attempted.

"Fine."

My eyebrows shot up, and I looked back down at the leftovers he was stabbing. I watched him carefully for a while, this was completely unusual for him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

I swallowed, "Are you sure?"

I heard him take a sharp breath, "I said I was fine. Drop it." He snapped, throwing the fork back don't onto the side and walking off.

I heard the familiar chime of keys, "Where are you going?" I called to him, bolting out of the chair.

"Out."

My mouth opened, and I let my hands drop to my sides as I watched him leave.

I sprinted to the window, shocked at his sudden departure. I stared at his retreating figure as he walked away.

I started to worry, he had never done anything so rash, or acted so negatively towards me.

First Rob now Dad.

I could only hope that it was just a phase, that it wasn't something terrible.

I stood at the window for a few more minutes, deciphering what I may had done to cause such a destructive day.

Out of nowhere, the hair at the back of my neck stood up and I shivered as my spine tingled.

I felt as though I couldn't control myself when my eyes wavered away from where my dad had left, and toward the abandoned house next door.

I knew it was a bad idea as soon as I saw him in the window, but for some weird reason I didn't hesitate to get my shoes on, grab my keys and make my way over there.

I knew it was a bad idea, the police had sectioned it off months ago, it was private property and no doubt trespassing.

The thought was thrilling.

I also knew I couldn't stop myself.

Shrugging a coat over my frame, I lumbered towards the house next door, daring myself to be brave, I didn't want to fear him. And I didn't want to be stuck in my house worrying about my dad.

I guess that was all the reason I needed.

As I drew closer, the reality of it all dawned on me, and I slowed my pace. I glanced up at the massive house, it stood at a daunting height, the windows, which were once the welcoming eyes into the house, had been blinded with black decay and rot. The brickwork was crumbling away with the taste of neglect, as a steady vine carved it's way into the cracks like a virus.

I clung onto the little courage I within me and forced my legs move.

I didn't bother knocking, it was pointless.

I hesitated.

Peering down, horrified at all the cobwebs that were clasped around the brass door handle, I shoved my hand through my sleeve and refused to touch them. Shivering as I pushed the door open.

I squinted and tried to allow my eyes to adjust to the darkness so I could see, and only moments later faint silhouettes and shapes appeared.

The entrance was eerily spacey, the wallpaper was a mossy green but splashed this the vividness of graffiti, yet still peeled away at the corners, the house itself was tainted with a faint yet pungent smell of rot, I suppressed the urge to plug my nose as I made my way towards the small steps.

"Adam?" I called up the stairs, I heard some shuffling.

He appeared at the top of the steps, his black hair dishevelled and messy. He wore his same, old leather jacket on the top of a plain white tee, which helped me spot him in the darkness, enormously.

He was silent for a moment and I felt the beginning pang of regret in my stomach.

"What is with you and your weird pyjamas?" He said, after a moment. Humour laced in his voice.

I coughed in embarrassment, "We should probably stop meeting like this."

He raised his eyebrows, "You're the one that followed me here."

I nodded, not really knowing what to say, without another word, he turned and melted into the darkness.

Once again I didn't hesitate and began climbing the stairs to follow him.

Only milliseconds later I heard, "Mind the third step--"

"Shit."

My foot plummeted through the third step, causing me to loose my balance, and tumble face first toward the other steps. I grunted out in pain as the side of my face hit the corner of one of the stairs.

I blocked out his booming laugh, and sighed, twisting my foot out of the broken step. Cussing under my breath, with more caution than not, I began climbing the stairs again.

I shot a glare in Adam's general direction, whilst he stood at the top of the stairs, loosing his sanity, with chortles of laughter.