Guarded

Chapter 1

I lie on the hammock in the backyard whilst reading, 'Snow White Must Die' for the forth time this month. I sigh as my phone beeps next to me,

Come hang out, Chris, it's been so long!

I look at the message and immediately delete it, nothing can take this pain away inside of me. I put my phone down and take the book, opening it on the page where I stopped when I was interrupted.

My phone beeps again and I decide to ignore it, continuing with my book when I heard the back door open.

After I found out about my dad, who had a heart attack about a month ago whilst in America, I kept my distance from everyone. My mom has since gone back to work as a lawyer and she barely says anything when she's home.

She stands with her hands on her hips as she looks down at me lying on the hammock. I put my book down and look at her, "Are you going to stay out here in the cold the whole time?" She asks

"It's not that cold, mother...besides I have a blanket."

"It's still no excuse to be out here, go inside please my dear. The last thing I want is for you to get a cold."

"Alright, I'll go to my room then." I climb off and walk inside without another word

I walk up to my room and sit on the chair by the window so I can look out at the sea. I feel better whenever I look out at the sea, I take a pillow and hug it to me, I look at the book on the my bed next to my phone and shake my head.

The last thing I need is friends in my life, if they just ask me how I'm doing, I feel like crying. I was very close with my dad, my mom, well she was always busy with cases and I always felt as if I was in her way.

I take after my dad, I'm such a bookwork just like he used to be, before he became lecturer. I have my dad's upturned nose and high cheek bones, the only resemblance I have to my mom are my dimples and big blue eyes. My hair is just as light like my mom's, only difference is she has a bob and I have long wavy hair.

I play with the loose thread on my ripped jeans by my knee. I wonder what it's like to go out to clubs after you graduate from high school, I never got the chance because of my mom's strict rules.

Clubs or bars were strictly forbidden, I should've been starting uni in a few moths but now that my dad's gone I can't leave.

My dad passed away on the 16th of October, it's been a whole month since he left us. I bite my index fingers nail, I see a car pull into the driveway of the house across from ours. Our neighbours the Styles, who were very close with my dad...I remember how they stood by us when we were still taking in the news of my dad.

The ringing of my phone pulled me out of my daze, I get up from the chair and walk to my bed. I pick up my phone and look at the caller ID, Louis, my best friend, well I still think he is.

I swipe to answer the call, "Louis, hello."

"Chris, how you doing, m'love?" He asks with a soft tone in his voice

"Okay...I guess." I sit down on my bed

"Chris, could you open your bedroom window?" He asks

"Why?" I look at the window and answer my own question

I hang up and open my window letting Louis in, he doesn't say anything just pulls me in for a long hug. I wrap my arms around him and close my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder.