The Babysitter

14

𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘

If sadness could kill people, then I was being murdered by it. I was driven into becoming a sad, depressed, moody person. Ever since my dad said he wanted to divorce my mother, I haven't been the same. It hurts. It hurts so much that I don't even know anymore who they are. Are they my real parents or not? Deep down, I knew that problems happened between every two, but with my parents? Problems never happened.

Or maybe I was too blind to see that. But, they loved each other, I always saw the love in their eyes when they looked at each other. The spark between them. It was true love. I've always dreamed of having a love story like them in the way they met. And the way they loved each other. In my eyes, they were perfect. But now? Now they're nothing.

Mom was always at home, crying, devastated, doing nothing but watching TV. And Dad? Dad was not home after he said that he wanted to divorce mom. He left me there speechless. Left mom speechless and left like he doesn't have a wife and a daughter.

I called Valerie and told her I couldn't go. That was three or four days ago. Or maybe even more. Time was passing so quickly, I don't even know what day it is now. Though Angela said she missed me so much and she wanted to see me, when I told Valerie about what happened, she said that it's okay to take some days off.

I missed Angela too, missed Valerie and missed someone else, maybe?

No. Brush it off, Tate.

Fine. I got to admit, I missed them all. I missed going there, I felt safe. Unlike here, I don't feel safe anymore here. I feel safe there. With only someone. Someone that I never knew that I would be safe with.

What am I saying? Oh no, Tate. Don't even think to fall for him. He's a bad influence. He kills people. Bad and good people. You can't even like him.

But I can't deny the truth. The truth is, I feel safe around him. Safe when he towers over me with his muscular figure. It's his presence that makes me feel secure. I let out a deep sigh. Why does he have this effect on me?

I took a sip of the water that was next to my bed. Should I go today? Or I should just take it off today? Perhaps I can go tomorrow. Stop being too much of a dramatic queen Tate, get up. You should be stronger than that.

As I was about to exit my room, Mom entered with a weird, shocked expression on her face as if she had seen a ghost. "Something happened?" I coaxed.

She took a deep breath before she spoke, "Honey, there's a visitor here. They want to see you."

Her expressions were making me feel like the visitor was someone dangerous. It couldn't be the person I'm thinking of. Nah, for sure, not.

"Yeah, let them come in." I nod at mom, who replied with a smile as an answer.

Mom left my room, and the soft figure was replaced with a taller, stronger, larger one.

No. It can't be him. Dangerous eyes met mine. What is he doing here? Royce never came to my house, never. That also explains my mom's expressions. She indeed knew who Royce was.

"H-hey," I stammered.

Words couldn't leave my mouth correctly as I looked at him. Then, I looked at myself to see I was still in my pajamas and shorts. Oh my- I wasn't even wearing a bra. That's so embarrassing, I felt my cheeks burning.

His eyes roamed my body, and a hint of smirk appeared on his face. "Why are you not coming?" Deep icy voice rang through my eardrums.

"I- um," shoot. Stop doing that Tate, he'll think you're a weirdo. Should I tell him? Or should I just keep it to myself? Only Marie knows. I don't know.