The Runaway Girl✔️ | A Christian Romance

Chapter 9 - Phone Calls

The door bell rang while Mom and I were having the lunch next day. I quickly got up from the chair to answer it but mom suggested, she would. Nicky turned on his back to run after mom but I stopped him, “Food first, Nicklaus.” using my brother's dialogue and he obeyed after giving me a look that put me in the edge of laughing, but I didn't.

“A parcel for Miss Hayline Houston–”

“From Bonnie Livingston.” I cut off mom who just entered the kitchen.

I turned to her with a beam and saw her carrying a cuboid box in her arms. “Where you expecting this?” mom asked amused, as she placed the box on table top.

“No, you know she doesn't let us know when she sends something. And besides, who on earth would send me something in a courier than her?” I said and reached out to the box but mom moved it away from my reach. “Food first.” she repeated my dialogue I just said to Nicky, with a playful smirk on her face.

We went on eating our food and my mind couldn't stop wondering and my eyes couldn't stop staring at the box, curious to know what kind of story books are awaiting for me in there.

“You don't have to keep an eye on it, no one's going to take the box away.” mom teased, seeing me not even looking at my plate whilst eating. Since we were having Macaroni and Cheese, I didn't had to be careful about anything than making sure I bring the spoon right into my mouth after refilling.

I opened my mouth to joke back but my attention turned to my phone as its screen lit up suddenly beside my plate on the table top. It was a call, –my phone was in silent mode?– with caller ID: Nott. I felt a sudden tug on my heartstrings; why is he calling? Now?

I quickly grabbed the phone from table before mom could read the caller ID –she was sitting opposite to me– and dismissed it. “Who's it?” mom asked.

“Harry.” I lied, not sure why I said Harry instead of Nott. “I'll call him after food.” I said and quickly felt my heart burning for lying to my mom's face. I swallowed hardly as mom nodded and went back to eating, and I sent Nott a text; Sorry I wasn't able to take your call; I'm having food with mom, I'll ring you later. I quit back immediately because I saw him online.

Yesterday we chatted all night until I wasn't able to keep my eyes open. He asked me a numerous questions about this and that about me, saying, he's trying to get to know me better and make friends since he has not many. I felt pity to hear that, and didn't regret staying up late, praying in my heart all the time that my brother or parents won't see me active online. I've always been open to friends and let's say, Nott was different.

I saw my phone screen lit again, –before I put it into my pocket– this time with a message from him that read, It's alright, maybe I'll call you at night, so you'll be free.

That didn't sound a good idea to me, because I'm still nervous around boys, not with my brother, his closest friends, cousins or my friends but outsiders. In the beginning, I've been shy around the people I've listed above but later as we became close, my shyness and all disappeared into the thin air. So I knew, I should always give that same time and chance to all who wants to befriend me. Still, I think I prefer chatting than talking with him.

I finished the lunch soon and opened my cousin's delivery. To my greatest delight, there was a box full of chocolates on top. I gasped a bit too loudly and mom turned to me from the sink. “Chocolates!” I laughed before she asked me the reason of my gasp.

I saw her roll her eyes, “That was not so nice of a dentist to send her cousin, to whom I've told to take a break from.” she said to herself, the amusement dripping from her voice.