The Boy Next Door

Chapter Four

I haven't spoken to Caspian for a while now, this time I was avoiding him. He never tells me anything and gets irritated when I ask him a question. I decided that I would not be talking to him anytime soon.  Days went by slower than usual, family meetings were the same, and Caspian hasn't been in class lately. The day he came to class Ms.Young wanted the class to talk about a book we recently just read, and the only two people that were actually speaking were Caspian and I.

"I think it's Ruth's fault that their relationship is ruined." Caspian said. 

I raised my hand to speak when really I didn't have to, no one else was really fascinated by the story. 

"Yes, Ms.Waters." Ms.Young said.

"It is not Ruth's fault that their relationship is ruined. Joe gave up on her, and if he really cared he wouldn't have. I guess it's giving up on someone that ruins the relationship not what the other person did to make them give up.  For example, hiding something from someone is a good way to end a relationship, but if the person they hid the secret from finds out from someone else and doesn't give up on you then that means they really like you. Joe gave up on Ruth when she did something wrong." I said.

"Are you saying that Joe doesn't love her?" Caspian asked. At first I didn't think he was talking to me, it's been a while since we've talked.

"That's exactly what i'm saying." I said. "Joe has made many mistakes in this book and Ruth stuck by him. Why is that when Ruth makes a mistake, it's suddenly her fault that their relationship is ruined?" I asked. 

"Claire, it was her choice to stay." Caspian said. I feel like we aren't talking about the book anymore.

 "She did it because she really likes him. If Joe can't do the same then it isn't Ruth's fault that their relationship is destroyed." I said.

"So it's Joe's fault?" Caspian asked, finally looking at me this time.

"Yes!" I said.

I didn't notice the bell until everyone started leaving the class, and I don't think Caspian did either because we were staring at each other. It was different from when we first met. More intense. 

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It was Saturday and I had the house to myself. Thank God for Netflix.  I was watching The Fosters and eating popcorn. 

"Cali you obviously don't want to get adopted, stop kissing Brandon!" I said to myself.

I didn't notice that Caspian was trying to climb up my window, until he was almost in my room. I couldn't stop him everything happened so fast.

"I gave up on you?" He asked when he got in my room.

"There's something called a door." I said.

"What was that in class today?" He asked. I turned off my laptop and looked at him like I was confused.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said. When he moved from where he was standing, I stood up.

"Want me to refresh your memory?" He asked. 

"Please do." I said.

"You said that I gave up on you and because you think I did, you don't think I like you as much as you like me." He said.

"Caspian, I was talking about the characters." I said, folding my arms.

At this point he was dying of laughter. "How dumb do you think I am." He said.

"I don't think you want me to answer that." I said.

"Claire, admit it." 

"Admit what?" 

He came closer to me and I tried to push him back. I failed.

"You like me." He said.

This time I was the one dying of laughter.

"How dumb do you think I am." I said, mocking him.

"Don't deny it." He said.

"Get over yourself." I said.

"Claire." He said. He was being serious now. 

"What?!" I realize that I was screaming, but every time I see him it just reminds me of the other day. He left me in his room and I felt terrible, then he comes in my room and acts like it never even happened.

"Let's not be like Ruth and Joe." He said.

"Joe's a dickhead." I said. "He does something wrong one day, and then acts like it never happened the next." We were so close to each other. 

"I know. Joe didn't know he hurt Ruth." He said.

"Should've figured it out." 

"I'm sorry."

"Are you really?" 

"Yes, let's start over." He said. "I'm Caspian Valentine , nice to meet you." 

"I'm Claire Waters, nice to meet you too." I shook the hand he held out. 

"You're beautiful." He said. I couldn't tell if we were still acting or if he was really just saying it, it didn't matter which one he was doing. I still turned into a tomato. When he noticed, he started smiling like an idiot. A cute idiot. 

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Three hours ago, Caspian left after watching eight episodes of The Fosters. I was pretty happy with the way things went. I kind of wish I felt the same way when he left.

"MOM, GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" I heard Paislee scream. Ophelia and I left our rooms at the same time to go into Paislee's. 

"What's going on?" Lia asked.

"Nothing." My mom said. 

"Stop lying, get out." Paislee said to my mom. I was surprised, Paislee doesn't act this way. 

"Excuse me? This is my house. These are my rules. Follow them or get out of this house." My mom said before leaving Paislee's room. Paislee got a bag and started putting some clothes in it.

"What are you doing?" Ophelia asked.

"Leaving!" Paislee screamed.

"Oh yeah sure, you're leaving with a bag that cost fifteen dollars and like ten outfits. With no money, no food and hey, here's a good question. Where are you going to go?" Ophelia asked.

"Leave me alone." Paislee said.

"Have fun in the streets." Ophelia said.

"At least act like you care." By now Paislee was crying.

"I'm acting like this because I care. I'm being real with you." Lia said. 

"I'm leaving." Paislee said while folding her clothes and putting it in the bag.

"I'm not stopping you little sis." Lia said. When Paislee was done packing, Lia moved out of the way for Paislee to pass by.

"Close your mouth." Lia said before leaving Paislee's room. I didn't notice my mouth was opened. I guess I was just really surprised. I felt the same way I did when Caspian left me in his room. 

Lost and alone.