The Boy Next Door

Chapter Three

My mom had to go to work the day of family meeting. Thank God.  

"Okay, so Selena says she has to talk to us about something when she gets back home." Ophelia said when she got off the phone with my mom.

"Oh my God, she's pregnant." Paislee said.

"Yeah Paislee, cause Selena has time for another kid." Ophelia said with sarcasm.

"I'm going to go outside to get some fresh air." Paislee and Lia looked at me like I said something wrong. "If that's okay with you guys." I said. 

"Sure, go ahead. I guess." Lia said.

I left the house and started walking to the park. It was pretty hot I don't know why I had a beanie on. I didn't speak to Caspian for three weeks now. I don't think we'll ever speak again either, and it's all because I asked a stupid question. I fucked up. I always do. My legs started to pick up the pace without my permission and I was looking down so I didn't notice that I was about to bump into someone until I did.

"Stop walking with your head down Claire." Caspian said.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn-"

"You going to the park?" He asked.

"Uh, no I just needed some-"

"Well you are now, let's go." He said.

"Um okay?" I said.

We started walking to the park, completely forgetting that we didn't talk for three weeks because I asked about his parents. When we got to the park we sat down at the bench. I didn't say anything because I just didn't know what to say. I'm not good with starting conversations. 

"Have you been avoiding me?" He asked before he looked at me. I wanted to look away, trust me I did. But I couldn't. 

"No, you've been avoiding me." 

"What no. Why would you think that?"

"I asked about your parents and you-"

"I know what I said." He said, cutting me off.

"Yeah and ever since then you stopped talking to me." I said.

"You could've said something to me, we go to the same school and we live right next to each other."

"Same for you, Caspian." I said.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted." He finally said.

"It's okay, I guess." I said. I wanted to change the subject. I asked a personal question that he obviously did not want to answer. 

"What were you doing walking around anyway?" I asked.

"My sister is having a little party and apparently, big brothers aren't invited." He said.

"I wasn't invited either? Wow and I thought Ava and I were just getting close." I said and he chuckled.

"That's Ava for you." He said.

We talked about classes and then a little bit about my sisters. I think we were at the park for like two hours but it felt like it was just a few minutes. Time flies when i'm with Caspian.

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"We didn't have our family meeting the time we always do. But we're going to have it now because I have something to talk about with you guys." My mom said when everyone was in the living room. "Even though Ophelia and I argue more than your dad and I do, we are having a divorce." She said.

"That's the big news?" Ophelia asked.

"Can you not be such a bitch for once in your life?" Paislee said. I was actually surprised, Paislee and Ophelia were the closest in the family.