Unravelled

[CHAPTER 17]

CHAPTER 17

Charlotte's POV

Yesterday's tutoring was great. I did so many questions that I did not have to refer to the book to know which formula I should use. As for the science subjects, Lara explained how I should interpret the questions and it really helped.

Apparently, it was not that I did not know my facts but it was because I did not answer what the question wanted. I was now going through my homework along with the questions from the previous pop quiz and I realised how dumb I was to not understand this sooner.

Well, at least I was improving, I think.

It was now close to noon and about eight in the evening in Bristol. My parents should be home from work by now so I texted Andrew.

'Yeah, they're home. You could skype me anytime,' he texted back.

'I'll do that now,' I texted back then turned on my laptop and logged into skype. I clicked on Andrew's username and within seconds I saw him on the screen.

"Hey Charlotte," his low voice vibrated through my speakers.

I grinned, "That voice does not suit your baby face at all!"

His slight excitement on his face when he saw me immediately turned into a frown as if he was not impressed with my reply.

"Shut up," his voice cracked.

I laughed, "Don't worry, it'll be better after a few weeks."

"Really?" he said with a glimpse of hope in his voice.

"Yes, Andrew. Now, where's mum and dad?"

He furrowed his eyebrows and looked to his left probably at his door and said, "Well, they said they were coming. Hold on."

"Mum?! Dad?!" he shouted.

When he got no reply, he got up from his chair and went to his door calling for them again. This time I heard them reply and footsteps thumping on the carpeted stairs, the very ones that I remember.

Mum was the first to come on the screen. She said, "Charlotte, dear. How are you?"

"I'm fine. The weather keeps fluctuating but it's still bearable." As I was replying, my father came on camera and Andrew stood behind them with his arms on the head of the chair, leaning his chin on the top of the chair.

"Hey dad," I said. Before my dad could reply, my mother said, "Did you make any friends?"

I instantly thought of Lara. My parents did not know that I was already planning of being friends with her in the beginning, in fact they did not even know the reason why I wanted to get transferred to Wilson High. They thought I was just trying to be ambitious and get good opportunities while I could, at least they were supporting me.

"Yeah, I met a girl name Lara. She's really nice. She even offered to help me with homework," I said.

"She probably pities how stupid you are," Andrew smirked.

He got a smack on his head by my mother making me snickered. "At least, she's getting more experience overseas," my father said.

"Yes, unlike you, sitting in your room being a hermit you are as soon as you get back home from school," my mother added, making me laugh even more. I held back my tongue trying avoid any more arguments. "Oh, speaking of friends, how's that Daniel kid you were talking about always?" my mother said.

"Oh, him? He's a senior in my school," I explained.

"He's studying in the same school as you?" my father said, clearly unimpressed.

"That's nice. So, do you go out with him often?" my mother asked, excited.

"I have lunch with him every day at school and we go out sometimes during the weekends. He helps me with homework too. Mostly with maths."

"You shouldn't get close to him. That boy is dangerous," he said.

"Dad, he's fine," I assured him and Andrew whispered but it was loud enough for the microphone to capture, "He sure is."

"Andrew Christopher Johnson! Stop with your nonsense or I'll have to send you out of this room!" my mother scolded.

He whined, "But mum, I was just kidding around. I'm sure she's not going to take it to heart. Charlotte, tell her!"

My strength to hold back my teasing was at its brim, "Oh, I don't know. It did offend me, just a little."

"Charlotte, please!" he whined again. My mother was still giving him the stink eye and father was obviously still not pleased that I was hanging out with Daniel more often that he thought I would be.

"I was just joking. Mum, it's alright, this is how we communicate. He's old enough to know his boundaries, right dad?" I said.

"Leave him, Natalie. Puberty has already hit him hard enough," he said to my mother.

"That's it, I'm out!" Andrew raised his hand, leaving the room.

"Oh dear, we've upset him," my mother said looking at the direction where he had left.

"It's alright mum. He'll be back soon," I assured her.

We ended up chatting more about school until it started to get late over there. "Would you look at the time? It's midnight," my father announced.

"I guess we should not take more of your time for today," my mother added.

"It's really alright. I don't mind talking some more," I said.

"We had an early day today so it's time we catch on some sleep," my dad said.

"But it's Sunday!" I exclaimed.

"That's work for you," my father sighed.

Andrew was laying on his bed on his phone the whole time during our conversation. I said my goodbyes to my parents and they left Andrew's room. As soon as they left, Andrew got up from his bed and sat in front of the computer. "Sorry about earlier," I said sincerely. "It's nothing," he said in a serious tone obviously still annoyed.

"Come on Andrew. You wouldn't want to be angry with your sister when we're just about to say goodbye, right?" I said.

He pursed his lip and I grinned because I knew he had now cooled off by what happened earlier. "Just so you know, there was a kidnapping case a few days back over here," I told him.

His ears perked up and it was as if what happened ten minutes ago were forgotten, "Yeah I heard. I think it's related to him."

"What do you mean, him?" I asked, very curious.

"That guy I was telling you about, from my last case. His name is Carter Thompson."