The Beast Next Door

Night 15

-Christian's P.O.V-

The cold slab of rock pressed against my back as I lay underneath the warmth of the sun. I close my eyes to keep the sun from destroying my retinas and exhale deeply. All I can hear around me are the songs of the birds, rushing water, and the wind blowing through the trees. I feel the wind swirl over me and shiver slightly.

Cold.

I take out my phone and check the time.

It's only 10: 23. I close my eyes again. I've been laying out here for over 2 hours.

I just want today to be over.

I hear leaves being crunched to my far right, and decide to ignore it. A few seconds pass and the crunching comes closer. Once it stops the burning of the sun on my eyelids disappears and it becomes colder. I open my eyes and see a dark figure towering above me. It takes time for my eyes to adjust.

"Kaydan?" I ask uncertainly.

"Hi," he answers sitting next to me.

I scoot over a bit to make sure we aren't too close. "Why are you here?"

"Because I figured you wouldn't be home."

"Where's Lucas?"

"He dropped me off a while ago. I'm pretty sure he's back home by now."

"Oh," I pause briefly. "How is your hand?"

"Pinky fracture." He holds up his hand, revealing a baby splint.

"That looks inconvenient."

"Screw my hand for a second," he says boldly. "Let's talk about you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Why haven't you been going to school?"

I shrug. "I went for the first month, then lost interest."

"I hope you're aware that you need to start going back."

"What for?"

"Cause you need to have a high school education at least."

"No, I don't."

"Who told you that?"

"I looked it up. There are plenty of people who dropped out of school who are billionaires now."

He glares at me.

"What?"

"You are going back."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

I study him.

He keeps his gaze fixed on me.

I break first. I lay back onto my back and rest my hands behind my head. "I'm not even good at school."

"Okay, so I'll help you."

"You aren't going to let me win this, are you?"

"No, I am not. If you want me to continue helping you sleep, you are going to have to-"

I sit up quickly and face him again, which makes him jump. "Wh-What?"

"...You still want to help me?"

He relaxes a bit before nodding slowly.

"Even after..." I trail off seeing his face start to glow red, then look away myself feeling equally embarrassed. "You don't have to, alright? I'm not going to force you to do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable."