A Secret Guardian

One

“See ya later babe.” Aaron said as he left the room. Maria just smiled and watched him leave.

“Maria! Let’s go, Mr. Frenesto isn’t going to be happy if we are late for lessons, again.” Gabriella called as she dashed for the hallway.

“Ugh, I’m coming Gabriella! Geez, you are so impatient. Besides, you’re the reason we are running late. If you hadn’t stood there for like half an hour watching Tate in soccer practice, we could have already been there.” Maria said irritated.

“Oh, so I’m the problem? You’re the one that always has to wait on Aaron to get out of class so you can walk with him until he has to leave.” Gabriella said accusingly.

“Ladies, so glad you finally made it. Come on, let’s get on with practice.” Mr. Frenesto said smiling in that way that always makes you feel guilty when you’re late.

“Yes sir.” Gabriella and Maria said in unison as they quickly got in the band hall and got their instruments.

Gabriella and Maria put their flutes together for the second time today and quickly warmed up while Mr. Frenesto set up his music at the piano.

“Okay girls, ready? One, two, ready, go.” Mr. Frenesto said as he counted them off.

Gabriella and Maria played through their pieces then packed up their instruments and walked out of the band hall. Once they left, they went on with their daily afternoon routine. They took turns bringing money and went directly for the cafe. Every day, the pair went there to “work on their homework”. Most of the time, Gabriella was the only one that did her homework while Maria went on and on about all sorts of gossip and Gabriella just smiled and nodded.

“And she looked totally shocked about the whole thing even though it was her fault. Gabriella, are you listening to me?” Maria asked. When Gabriella didn’t respond, Maria said “Hello? Earth to Abby, come in Abby!”

Gabriella suddenly looked up at Maria surprised. “Did you say something Ria?”

“Girl, what is up with you today? You’ve been spacing out since we got here.” Maria said stuck between irritation and concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve just been really exhausted this week. For some reason, my dear big brother finds it necessary to be on online games at all hours of the night. Just because he already graduated and gets to sleep in every morning, doesn’t mean I get to. Ugh, I wish he’d just get off his lazy butt and go find a job or go to college already.” Gabriella ranted at the verge of yelling.

Maria just stared at her best friend with her mouth hanging open, and then began to laugh. Gabriella just looked at Maria very confused.

“What’s so funny?” Gabriella asked.

“You, I hardly ever see you this worked up about something. But when you do get worked up, it’s pretty funny.” Maria said, still chuckling.

Gabriella stuck her tongue and turned her head, pouting. Maria was still laughing hysterically when Gabriella’s cell rang.

She answered it and said “Hello? Oh, hey Tate. Yes, I’m still coming by later. I thought it was your turn to get snacks. Okay, you get chips, I’ll get the soda. Alright, see you in a bit.”

Maria looked over at Gabriella with an eyebrow raised. “Something you’d like to share Abby?” she asked.

“Oh chill, Ria. Tate said he needed some help with Biology so I agreed to go over and help him, I’m not just ditching you for a date.” Gabriella said.

“Fine, but you owe me. We were supposed to go shopping after this.” Maria said annoyed.

“Oh my gosh, I completely forgot. I’m sorry Maria. I will make it up to you; I’ll buy after school snacks for the rest of the week.” Gabriella said pleadingly.

“Okay. Now go before I change my mind.” Maria said reluctantly.

“See ya tomorrow!” Gabriella said as she ran off.

Maria sighed as she watched her bestfriend run off. “Well great, now what am I supposed to do?” she asked herself out loud.

“Maybe you’d like to hang out with me?” said a deep voice behind her.

Maria turned around to see who was talking to her and immediately blushed.

“Hey Tate, I’m here.” I yelled into the house as I walked in the door which was unlocked. I figured he left it open for me so I thought nothing of it. “Tate! Are you here?”

When all I heard was silence from the house, I started to get scared. I began walking to the back of the house which was almost completely dark except for light coming from under one door. I opened the door and looked inside. “This must be Tate’s room.” I thought to myself. The room was pretty messy but there was still a clear path to the computer desk.

“Tate?” I called into the house one more time, hoping to get a response. Still no one answered. I was really worried now. Tate was supposed to be here waiting for me. His parents, or at least his mom, were supposed to be here too. If they had gone out, surely Tate would have texted me. I began to walk back to the front of the house when a pair of hands shot out of an open door and grabbed me around the waist. I screamed but my screams were suppressed by a hand over my mouth. I tried to headbutt the person holding me but the person moved and my head hit the wall instead. I got really light-headed and remembered feeling my body go limp.

“-a--ie---a? Gabriella can you hear me?” I started hearing. I slowly pulled my heavy eyelids up to see who was talking to me. I looked up to see Tate leaning over me. His face was red and he looked like he was about to cry. When he saw my eyes open, his face lit up with relief and he leaned down and hugged me.

“I am so glad you’re okay. I am so sorry, it was just meant to be a prank, I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.” he said apologetic.

It took me a minute to realize what he was talking about, but when I did I slapped him on the arm. “You jerk, you scared the life out of me!” I yelled and sat up really fast but quickly lay back down. I had this horrible pain in the back of my head.

“Easy there, Abby, you hit your head pretty hard. I already called your mom to come get you; she should be her any second.” Tate said, sounding very compassionate.

“Grr, you better be glad you’re cute. Can you help me up?” Gabriella asked.

Then, as if right on cue, my mom pulled up and honked the horn. “Yeah, come on, I’ll walk you out.”

He led me out the door and helped me into the car, still apologizing the entire way. As he helped fasten my seat belt, he again said “I’m so sorry about this.”

And for the billionth time I said “It’s okay, I forgive you. See you tomorrow.”

He leaned in and kissed me gently as if he were afraid to hurt me again then shut the door. I sat there smiling and blushing the rest of the way home and my mom just silently smiled at me in the rear-view mirror.