AN ILLICIT LOVE

CHAPTER 4

ONE YEAR LATER (2013) -

I sat on my bed reading the final chapter in Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. 'Almost done.' I thought before I heard a loud crash in the hallway. I jumped at the sudden sound and the book fell out of my hand. I got out of bed and went to look at what was going on. "I know Mr. and Mrs. Connor are out of town for their anniversary, so that's not it." Poking my head out of my bedroom door, I noticed Jackson's bedroom light beaming out under his door frame. "Hey, Jack?!" I called, but got no answer, though I did hear mumbling coming from his room. I didn't think anything of it. He was always coming home in a drunken state. Closing my door, I returned to my book and fell asleep.

The next morning, I was awakened by Mr. Connor asking me all sorts of questions. I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus on all the questions that were being thrown at me. "Give me a second, Mr. Connor. Do you think you could repeat the question for me please?" "What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?" "What do you mean?" I sat up and adjusted my pillow. "Did you think we wouldn't find out about what you did while we're gone?" Again, I was defensive and confused. "I don't know what you're talking about, sir." He huffed, proceeded to yell, then stormed out of my room. Rolling my eyes, I got dressed for the day and headed downstairs for breakfast. "Hey, Ryn. How was your night?" Jack hugged me. "My night was just fine." I served my food and sat down at the table between Mr. and Mrs. Connor, while Jackson occupied the other side of the table. We sat in silence for a while before Mr. Connor asked more questions. "So, Piper, why did you have a boy over last night?" I almost choked on my waffle when he asked, but after I drank some milk, I was fine. "I didn't, sir. Why would you think that?" "I saw a guy sneaking out of your room last night." Man, was Mr. Connor blunt. "I have no idea what you're talking about, sir. If you don't believe me, then fine." I stood up and put my plate in the sink. "I'm not going to have a liar in this house." "Dad, if she says she didn't have a guy over, then she didn't have a guy over." Jackson defended. "Don't bother, Jack. It's not worth your breath." I marched upstairs and went to my hide-out. All I could hear was Mr. Connor and Jackson yelling at each other. "Why don't you believe her!?" "Cause I know what I saw, Jackson! I saw a guy climbing out of her window last night, and if she isn't going to admit it, then she can just leave!" Jackson fell silent and I headed back downstairs to talk to my adoptive father. "I guess I will do just that. I've been on my own before anyway. I don't need you!" "Fine, then don't think about coming back!" I ran upstairs and packed my bags. Thankfully, I had four suitcases and I threw all my clothes and books into them before chunking my clothes down the stairs. I carried my books down and headed out the door with my bags in hand, and without another word to anyone.

Days passed and I have tried to get in touch with Kaitlin and Jake, but nothing so far. I did make it back to the abandoned building across from Stark Tower. 

I've been on the streets of NYC for almost three days now and it's been okay. Anyway, today was a bad one. I went into a small convenient store to get a loaf of bread for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Except, I didn't have the money for the bread because I left it at the Connor's house and Jackson hasn't met me anywhere to give it to me. Now, I was on the run from the store's security guard. Yeah, I stole the bread. When I turned a corner, I ran into a taller man. I looked up only to see the one man I had only read about and seen on the news. His slicked-back, raven  hair and mischievous smile gave me chills. When I was able to find the words, I spoke. "I'm sorry. I should have been watching where I was going." He helped me off the ground and smirked. "No, it was clearly my fault." I was now face to face with the Asgardian prince. My heart began to race and my brain couldn't comprehend standing this close to a literal god. "I know we only just met, but may I ask you a question?" I nodded and put my hand in my pocket, grasping my pocket knife. "What is a beautiful girl like you doing out on the streets of New York?" "Oh, well I was kicked out of my place," I loosened my grip on the knife and relaxed myself. "but I don't know why I just told you that. We just met." I took my hand out of my pocket and ran it through my hair. "Well, maybe it's because you trust me." The prince walked closer to me, maybe a little too close. I socked him in the jaw and ran back to my place not knowing what was about to happen. I ran as fast as my legs could take me away, but once I hit the door to my new 'home', there he was again. "What do you want from me?" It seemed like the more I tried to hide, he would always find me. "I just want to talk to you. I want to get to know you." "Well, why are you chasing me?" "Because you keep running." I stopped running when I reached the little kitchenette that sat in the back of the building. That's when he closed in on me. "If you get any closer, I'll swing." "Try me." He only got about a foot away from my face and I grabbed the nearest item and swung it. The contact knocked him out and I was able to tie him to a chair.