My Next Door Neighbor

Chapter 18

That night I laid on Carter's bed while he laid on the floor with a bunch of blankets. I was surprised he suggested it based on his persona, but nonetheless it was arranged. It was the middle of the night when I sat up with a scream, panting and looking around. Carter was up with the gun pointed at the door in a matter of seconds, but when he realized no one was there he looked at me. Putting the gun back under his pillow he warily sat down on the bed.

"I'm not really good at comforting people." He admitted. "But..." He lightly pulled me to sit on his lap, holding me as my eyes darted around the room.

"I dreamt that you shot me when we were in the park." I whispered and immediately I felt the boy tense up.

"I'd never do that. I promise." He kissed the top of my head.

Needless to say Carter slept on the bed with me, my back to his chest. Surprisingly I was very relaxed to be with him and all the teasing and annoying things he'd done to me seemed to just slip away. He was like a different person when it was just us, but that didn't mean he was any different than his normal self at school. But I decided not to focus on the future, just the now, and right now I was happy in Carter's arms.
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Saturday came pretty quickly and I was ready to go. It took some convincing not to have Carter come and make sure I stayed safe. Turns out that Howie had guys looking for me, but they didn't know where I lived and weren't anyone who'd risk their cover to grab me in a public place. So, I was currently clad in a sweater, skinny jeans, and Toms, waiting for Bridget to come pick me up.

"So, did you make that list of things you wanted for your birthday?" Steven asked, coming in and sitting on the porch with me.

I completely forgot my birthday was the next day, Sunday. I'd be turning 17.

"Oh wow, I completely lost track of the days." I rummaged around in my bag and pulled out a sheet of crumbled paper and a pen. I'd thought about a couple things I could use more of and quickly wrote them down. Bridget honked the horn of her tiny car and I quickly threw the paper at my cousin and ran off the porch.

We headed down the road and soon ended up at to huge mall with so many stores starting from Abercrombie to Zumba Juice Cafe.

"Alright you pick out whatever you want and I'll get it for you. Call it an yearly birthday present." Bridget smiled as we walked in. The next few hours we spent cruising around. Bridget bought me this really cute dress to wear for my birthday and another outfit that I found super adorable. On top of that we spent a ton of money on random accessories and clothes. I bought a new pair of Toms and even a pair of combat boots. By the time lunch rolled around we were loaded with bags.

"Is that your cousin?" Bridget asked, pointing to the three guys walking passed us.

"You know what, it is." I said then called the boys over.

"Hey guys. What are you doing here?" Bridget asked, looking straight at Wayne.

"Shopping for Cassie. She just told us what she wanted today." Steven looked at me, causing me to shrug.

"Umm...do you guys think you could help me take these bags out?" Bridget asked, pointing to the pile of bags.

The guys nodded and each picked up a couple of bags. They headed out while I finished up my food. It had only been a few minutes when a man came and sat at my table, but not just, my man.

"Mr. Hunt." I said, swallowing the food in my mouth. On the outside I produced a calm manner but on the inside I was freaking out.

"Miss. Richards you know my son has feelings for you, as you do him, so please listen to my propositions and consider your options carefully." He began. "As you may know by now I had plans for you as my son Nathan's...shall I say present."

"Yes. I know and I'm not complying." I said with a serious tone in my voice.

"Consider your options carefully my dear. If you don't give yourself as my sons present willingly then actions will have to be taken to ensure that you do. For instance..." He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. When he handed it to me I put it up to my ear and gasped. It was Carter's voice, pleading for someone to help him. Tears brimmed my eyes as I covered my mouth, listening to his cries if pain and agony. I dropped the phone on the table and looked straight at the man Carter called his father. "And what about that lovely friend of yours, Bridget is it? And your aunt and her three sons? Make the right decision Cassie." He handed me a slip of paper which held a time and address. "Come to this place tomorrow might if you're going to comply. If not, well, you know what's going to happen."

With that he grabbed his phone, pocketed it, and left. Suddenly I was feeling very nauseated and had lost my appetite completely. I threw my stuff away and looked at the piece of paper, I knew what needed to be done.

"Cassie, you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." Bridget asked. I pocketed the piece of paper and put on a forced smile.

"Nope. All good. Just thinking." I lied. "We should probably get going, I'm exhausted."

HEYYYOOOO SO ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR YOU AWESOME READERS! THANKS FOR READING AND DONT FORGET TO COMMENT AND VOTE! LOVE YA GUYS!!