The Boy Who Never Smiled

Chapter 5

Chapter 5
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I skidded down the hallway and into my parents' bedroom, and nearly choked on what I saw.

The walls were painted a dark, rich purple, with stormy gray swirls and streaks weaved through them.

Honestly, it looked both odd yet stunning. Figures, with my crazy parents.

I saw my dad, sitting in bed, his nose stuffed into one of his favorite mystery novels. I guess that's where I got my reading talent from.

"Oh, hey sweets," my dad mumbled, looking up from his book and bushing his plain black glasses (which looked like Harry's from Harry Potter, by the way), up the bridge of his nose. Hmm. Guess I'm receiving more and more traits from my dad.

"Where's Mom?" I asked him curiously, adjusting the strap of my purse on my shoulder.

My dad pursed his lips and let out a heavy sigh.

"She's working... on a piece of her art. She just saw a patch of roses out in the background and can't stop skipping around out there. I don't think she'll be coming out anytime soon... sorry, darling, but I'm tired after painting all day. Maybe we could explore tomorrow?" my dad suggested, causing for me to gawk at him in disbelief.

What? was all I could think.

Finally, I spluttered, "But Dad! I've been in this house all day! I've already gotten ready, too!"

My dad sighed, looking guilty. "I know, darling..." he began weakly, but I interrupted him. "Can't I just go alone? I am 16 after all, and I have a phone to call you with if anything goes wrong. Plus, this is a pretty small town, and it's daylight. Nothing bad will happen, and I'll scream if someone tries to kidnap me," I blurted.

My dad looked surprised before he scoffed and said loudly, "No way! You are not going out without parental supervision--"

But my mom interrupted him, too, pushing into the room from behind me. "Actually, Jarold, she's 16, and right. She's been cooped up all day. Can't she go out? And, besides, it is daylight, and she has her phone. Just let her have some fun," my mom protested, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling. Go Mom!

My dad sighed. He clearly knew he couldn't argue, for his shoulders slouched with defeat. "Yeah, okay," he said reluctantly, then added quickly, "But you'll call us in an hour! No exceptions! And you'll be home by 5!"

I nodded, checking the time on my phone quickly. It was 3:00 now, so I had two hours left.

"Well, I better get going. I'll call you in an hour," I promised before kissing my mom on the cheek, hugging my dad, and nearly skipping out of the room.
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After I had put on my cozy black Ugg boots, I opened the door and stepped outside.

Though it was August and usually supposed to still be warm, this was Oregon. A faint chill had settled on the air, but my sweatshirt kept me perfectly warm.

I stepped down the porch and began walking, tightening my grip on my purse as I made my way down the sidewalk, spotting my dad's anxious face watching me from his window, causing me to laugh and wave at him. He waved back slowly and I glimpsed my mom yank him away from the window.

Only my parents.

I pulled my phone out from my purse, along with my favorite white earbuds, and plugged them in, stuffing them into my ears. I did the password to my phone (48322) and then turned on Arms by Christina Perri.

I stuffed my phone back into my purse, keeping it halfway open to allow the wire to travel to my ears as I walked.

I was admiring the tall oak trees looming above the houses, all a drastic variety of colors, before I saw a figure move in the distance.

I squinted and made out a person walking towards me, a black sweatshirt on, the hood pulled over his or her head.

I shrugged to myself and continued walking, grinning lightly as I saw a squirrel scurry up one of the oaks.

Squirrels are such adorable creat-- what in the name of Athena?!

I let out an alarmed shriek as a shoulder slammed roughly into my own, causing me to lunge out and latch onto the thing nearest to me-- an elbow covered in a black sweatshirt.

The person attached to the elbow grunted in surprise as they were jerked back, causing them to stumble over their black Converse.

I let out a yelp as the person pulled themselves free of my hold and I fell down, slamming hard onto my rear.

"What in the name of Merlin?! Who are you, Ares or something?! Gods, your as rude as Draco Malfoy!" I yelled, using book references, a thing I usually did if I was angry.

The figure, now which I know to be a boy, glared down at me coldly.

My dark blue eyes met his dark brown, almost black eyes, and I saw the purple-black bags looming beneath them. His shaggy black bangs framed his eyes as he spat in a cold voice, "What did you just say?"

I stumbled to my feet, yanking my earbuds from my ears, and dusted myself off. "I called you Ares, and as rude as Draco Malfoy," I told him bluntly.

"And who the hell are they?" the boy asked, baffled.

"Well, Ares is a Greek god and a jerky character from Percy Jackson, and Draco Malfoy is this snobby boy from Harry Potter who always teases Harry and calls Ron 'weaselbee' and Hermione mudblood," I babbled, finding myself ranting to a complete stranger.

Oops?

"You know what, I regret I asked. Those are stupid books anyway," the boy said, wrinkling his nose.

I let out a loud gasp. "How dare you?!" I shrieked, wishing I was a witch and could hex him into oblivion, or a demigod and use my powers from my mother, Demeter, to use plants and fruits to choke this boy.

But I couldn't, and that sucked. Instead, I watched furiously as the boy dressed in all black turned and walked away without another word or second glance.

(A/N: I'm not going to be mystery or anything... I have kept you guys waiting for Rixton long enough, so yeah, THAT WAS RIXTON!!!!

*squeals*

Uhm, er, yeah, well... uh.... we met Rixton! But he doesn't like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson :-(

But still!

We met him :D

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P.S., one of Rixton's theme songs above. Listen to it.)