Consider Yourself Lucky

Fifteen

The rest of the car ride back home was filled with laughter and random questions. Would you trade lives with a celebrity? And if so, which one? If you could choose what to be born as what would you choose? If the letter A had a signature color, what would it be? I've never met someone that would ask the same kind of questions as I would. The weird ones that really make you put your thinking cap on. Not the normal and boring questions about favorite movies or favorite foods. The questions that will give you more of an inside look at how someone's mind works. We got back to town around nine thirty. Since I have tomorrow off too, I was planning to go see Grandma again and ask when she's allowed to come home. I'm sure Collin has to get back to work tomorrow too. I don't expect him to just not work because of personal things I'm going through. He may be my boyfriend, but he has responsibilities too and that isn't going to change just because I'm his girlfriend now. I get all giddy when I think about the fact that he's my boyfriend and I'm his girlfriend. I get a little sad when we pull into the driveway even though I spent all day with him.

"If you need anything, you can call me."

"And if you don't answer the first time don't worry, I won't blow up your phone." I giggle to show him I'm just trying to make a joke.

"You can call as many times as your heart desires. Then again you won't have to because I'll pick up on the first ring."

"I think I'll be okay but it's good to know you're there if I need something." I kiss him goodbye and get out of the car. I look back before walking in the house and he waves as he backs out. Just like clockwork, Flake is waiting for me. She meows as I walk in the door and rubs up against my legs, almost tripping me.

"You're lucky you're so cute, you know." She squints her eyes at me as if she understands what I just said. I'm still hungry so I go into the fridge and grab two slices of the leftover pizza from the night before. I nuke it in the microwave for about thirty seconds and take it out before the microwave makes the annoying ass beeping noise. I can't eat pizza without my ranch, so I go back to the fridge to take it out. When I pour it on to my plate, it comes out a bit faster than I expected and makes a mess on the counter.

"Fuck." It's just ranch. It's not that serious. I just need to get some paper towels to wipe it up and it'll be okay. I walk over to the pantry to get a roll of paper towels from the bottom shelf. When I walk past the back door, I feel a little uneasy. I glance out and a dark shadow moved quickly. My heart is racing, and I'm scared shitless. I run back to the kitchen to grab my phone off the table. I dial Collin's number. He wasn't kidding when he said he would pick up on the first ring.

"Miss me already?"

"Call me crazy but I think someone is outside. I went to the pantry to grab some paper towels and I saw a shadow out the back door window." He can sense the panic in my voice.

"I'm on my way." He hangs up the phone and within two minutes he's pulling into the driveway. I run out the front door and he tells me to go back inside. I do as he says and watch him from the window. He goes around the house to the backyard, and I see the silhouette of his shadow checking out every inch of the yard. We don't have a big yard so even if someone was out there and tried hiding, there isn't many places you can't be seen. After about ten minutes of Collin being outside, he comes in the house.

"I checked every nook and cranny, and I didn't see anyone. There was a couple deer over the fence in the next yard over so maybe you caught a glimpse as they were walking over there. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, you're right about the deer. I just saw a shadow and got spooked, that's all. I'm sorry for bothering you and making you come all the way back."

"Don't be sorry. I wasn't home yet so it didn't take much to turn around. I'd do anything to make sure you're safe. I hope you never forget that." I smile at him, and he wraps his arms around me in a warm hug. I'm surprised how fast he got here. He pulls back and lifts my chin. "Did you need me to stay over again? I would have to either wake up early to go home to change and shower before heading to the store in the morning or run back home now to grab some stuff. It's up to you."

"As much as I enjoy waking up next to you, I think I'll be okay. I have tomorrow off, and it would be nice to sleep in instead of being woken up at the ass crack of dawn." I kiss him and feel his lips part as he smiles.

"Okay, but if anything, else makes you feel some type of way-"

"Yes, I will call you. I know. I appreciate you." I kiss him again and push him towards the door. I watch as he leaves a second time. I finish my pizza and clean up the ranch I had forgotten about. I double check that every door and window is locked before going up to my room. Flake follows behind me, weaving through my legs as she always does. I take a nice hot shower to wash all the salt off of my body from the ocean. That's the only downside of going to the beach. You leave all sticky from the salt and sand that sticks to your skin. I can't complain. It was perfect. From the picnic on the beach to watching the sunset. He really made me feel like I was a little kid again, back at the beach with Grandma. The fact he planned the entire day around what I told him my favorite childhood memory just caused so many butterflies in my stomach. I run the water for my shower and undress myself. I stand there for a little while after washing my hair, just letting the water run down my body. When I finish, I go back to my room and turn my TV on. I put my phone on the charger and realize I have a message from Collin.

"Goodnight, my girlfriend. XOXO" The little things are always the sweetest gestures.

"Goodnight, my boyfriend. XOXO" I know he said he didn't have any socials, but I'm curious as to if he has any old profiles still up. I go to Facebook and search up his name. A couple different profiles pop up and none look like him. Until I scroll down a bit farther. I see a picture that looks like it could be an old school photo of Collin's. I click on it, but I can't see much considering its private. There are only a couple photos posted but one catches my eye. It's a picture of him with a blonde girl at what looks like prom. The name tagged is Clara Baker. His ex. Maybe I'm crazy but I click on her profile too. I scroll down but her page is mostly private too with no new posts since a couple years ago. I click on her "about info" and quickly skim through. Her birthday, her favorite movies. Then I see something that makes my heart drop. Under a category labeled "nicknames" is a name I've seen before. Cece.