Prized Possesion

Chapter 4:

*One Month Later*

Alyssa

It's been a whole month since I've been living in this house and I've enjoyed just about every minute of it. My dad is engaged now, he had reunited with an old friend of his and fell in love rather quickly. I should be upset considering how fast it all happened, but I'm extremely happy for the both of them.

Plus, I now have a soon-to-be stepbrother. His name is Liam and he's pretty much my only friend. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have anyone. We also get along really well which is a whole bonus to the situation. We hang out like friends would but act like we're really brother and sister.

"Hey Alyssa," Liam's voice broke my thoughts. "My mom and your dad are headed out to a hotel tonight to have a date night." We both shuddered and muttered 'gross' simultaneously.

"Sweet!" I exclaimed in reply. "You wanna go out and do something or just stay in?" He looked into mid-air as if he had to put a lot of thought into the correct answer. "We're definitely going out!" he shouted like it was obvious.

Both Liam and I got into my Jeep, he was 21 and still didn't have a car... or a job for that matter. I mean I don't have a job either but I'm only 18 and still in high school so I have an excuse. 

"Where did you want to go?" I asked, breaking the silence. Liam was looking down at his lap, where his phone was firmly grasped, thumbs darting wildly across the screen. He finished, locked his phone and looked up at me. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" 

I rolled my eyes in a very obvious manner to transfer my annoyance. "Sorry, I was texting Sophia," he excused himself. Sophia was his girlfriend and I have to admit, they're really cute together.

"I said, where do you want to go?" I repeated, emphasizing each word. "Bowling." He replied quickly, with little thought.

Satisfied with the answer I received, I started the Jeep up and pulled out of the driveway. It took about 15 minutes to get to the bowling alley. Liam practically ran in and yelled back to tell me to hurry up. Who knew a 21-year old could be this excited about bowling?

I pressed the lock button on my keys twice, content with the two beeps that were returned. I ran to catch up with Liam inside the alley and had to stop to catch my breath. I got a couple stares doing so, but that's somewhat normal with me.

"Two games for two," I told the guy at the counter. He didn't look much older than me. "Your total is $21.47," the cashier dude muttered with little amusement in his tone. I handed him $22 and received my change and receipt as he slammed them down on the counter.

Liam nudged my shoulder as we walked towards our lane. "He was kinda cuuutteee," he said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. "A little," I sighed. "But he has a hell of an attitude." Liam just laughed loudly, making the cashier stare at us. He probably did that on purpose.

Liam typed our names into the small machine as I began looking for a decently sized ball. As I made my way over to the lane, content with my ball, I looked up at the screen to see who would be going first. The two names listed were 'Payno' a nickname of Liam's and 'I like the cashier guy'. As I turned to punch Liam, he was running away giggling loudly. I rolled my eyes and edited my name to 'Ally', something my dad's always called me.

Our first game was somewhat slow and Liam beat me 84 to 79. Our second game went much faster and I beat Liam 81 to 78. I was disappointed to discover that he beat me in our overall scores, 162 to 160. I really thought I'd be able to at least tie our scores.

We exited the bowling alley laughing with each other. It felt good to have someone to laugh with. The drive home was filled with Liam singing rather loudly. People at stoplights would immediately cringe and roll up their windows. I would just laugh at him.

When we finally got home, I walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch while sliding my converse off at the same time. I turned on the TV without changing the channel and watched the advertisements.

"I'm gonna order a pizza," Liam's voice called out from the kitchen. We ate wings at the bowling alley, but I was beginning to feel hungry, too.

I didn't reply, only kept my eyes focused on the TV. After 2 medicine commercials, Liam joined be on the couch.

The news then began playing as Hamilton Prison came into view on the screen. The first time I drove by that building, making eye contact with that prisoner, was my last visit.

As if confirming my fears and concerns, the same prisoners face popped up large on the screen. Along the bottom, it read, 'Harry Styles Escaped Heavily Guarded Prison'. I couldn't hear anything the TV was saying, I was too absorbed in the thoughts swarming around in my head.

How could he escape this prison of all of them? The sudden thought that he could be anywhere in this neighborhood sent chills through my entire body. I felt very unsafe at the moment.

Making the situation almost unbearable, Liam got up from his seat on the couch an walked out of the living room. I wasn't sure how he reacted or if he saw my reaction, but I didn't exactly want to be alone.

I willed my feet to follow him into the hallway. As I entered the hallway, I didn't see Liam anywhere. Suddenly, I felt two strong hands wrap themselves around my mouth. I tried screaming, to no avail.

I regained some type of stability in my legs and decided to use my heel and drive it into the person's shin.

"Shit Alyssa!" that voice sounded familiar. "It's just me!" I turned completely around and saw Liam on the floor with his arms wrapped around his leg in half of a fetal position.

I pushed myself down to the floor and fumbled my hands, not knowing what to do with them. "I'm so sorry Liam! I was watching the news about the prisoner escaping and I guess I was just worried." my apology was pathetic but I hoped it would work.

"It's fine, it's fine. Just help me off the damn floor." I quickly stood up and reached for his extended arm to pull him up. As he was brushing himself off, the doorbell rang throughout the house, signaling that the pizza was here.

I answered the door and quickly paid the delivery guy, telling him to forget the change. I got out two plates and two cups to prepare food and drinks for Liam.

We ate our meal in silence and I excused myself to my room. It was still 10 minutes or so until I heard Liam enter the guest room upstairs. He must be staying over night to make sure I didn't freak out again.

I got dressed into my pj's and quickly climbed into bed. I grabbed my phone from my nightstand and plugged the charger into the bottom.

I browsed through Instagram for a little bit before I moved to my Twitter account. I scrolled through all my favorite bands feeds looking for new updates.Unsatisfied with what was presented on the small screen, I closed the app.

Just as I was about to lock my phone for the night, a small dinging noise filled my ears, signaling that I had received a new message. When I opened my messages, I didn't recognize the number that sent the message. However, I proceeded to open the message and read it. ;

Unknown

I'm coming for you, babe. x

I decided not to ponder the message too long. After all it was probably just Liam playing another trick and I really didn't want to work myself up over it. I locked my phone watching the screen go black before I put it back in its designated place on the nightstand and lulled myself to sleep.

- Author's Note -

Hope you guys liked this update! And yes, I skipped a month ahead so that I could get to the "pulp" of the story without being completely unrealistic. It's still a bit speedy for what happens but the dad has known the girl he is getting married to.

I'll try and update again tomorrow but if I don't, don't hate me.

Stay safe and don't be too hard on yourself, you're beautiful in every single aspect of your body.