The Wrong Guy

Chapter 1 Nick Cassidy

                It was back at the end of Summer of 2004, September 5th. I remember it all. I used to live in Neptune with my mom. I went to Neptune High as a senior and hoped to get into Stanford for college. I was quite a witty student. I did all of my requirements, and I made through all the school shit life had offered me. I even had job experience when I was a junior. Everything came fine. But there was one thing missing in me that time. All I did was live my normal routines, yet something was missing. I felt incomplete and lonely. I understood that my divorced mother who was in two jobs hadn’t enough time to be home. I’m pretty comfortable with my friends, too. But still, I didn’t have my light. But I had just found it.

                September 5th was a Sunday. The afternoon sun had gone bright. The tree leaves have gone orange and dry. The wind blew stronger than it did during Summer. I could feel the Autumn getting closer.

                It was eleven o’clock at noon when me and my mom had just finished church. Everybody had gone outside; some were on their way home; mom told me she’d leave for work and just let me go home by myself, which was pretty usual. I was still hanging out, waiting for Sandy –one of my church friends- to finish helping to the church members to close. I knew I should have helped along with her, but I felt lazy. Somehow, just listening to wind brush my hair was comforting. Sandy on the other hand, is on the church choir, and they normally sing twice or three times each mass. I’ve always wanted to join, but I never got the confidence to sing in front of people.

                It took quite some time for Sandy to make it out. I had already been embracing myself because of the chills. When they did come out and leave church, I walked to them as they walked to me, too.

                “Finally, it seems like you’re done.” I said to Sandy as she and her choir and church peers walk down to the road with me.

                “Yeah,” Sandy, along with the leaving members, walked our way probably because we had similar destinations. “It could’ve been quicker if you helped out.”

                “Sorry.” No. I wasn’t really sorry. Suddenly, one of the church leaders –Mrs. Wicket- cared to barge in my conversation with Sandy.

                “Liyah! How are you?” she greeted with delight and held my arm.

                “Still the same! Thank you!” I answered with joy as I blinked my eyes repeatedly. Obviously, my smile was fake because I wouldn’t want Mrs. Wicket to ask more. Yet she kept talking.

                “I’d like you to meet our new church members.” She said with excitement, pulling my wrist towards three people I didn’t know. The younger guy –probably my age- was Alexander Johnson, and the two adults were probably his parents.

                “Liyah, this is Alexander.” She introduced me to the guy. I had no choice but to smile. Mrs. Wicket pointed on the two adults with Alexander. “And these are his parents. They’re new.”

                “Hi. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Liyah.” He reached his hand to shake with me and smiled. He revealed his teeth with his smile. I thought it was annoying, but I couldn’t show any disrespect. So, I pretended that I was happy to meet them.

                “How enchanting to meet you.” I had no choice but shake his hand and smile back. I swept my attention to his parents and thought I should. “Hi! I’m Liyah!”

                I smiled at them and scooted away back to Sandy. “Sandy!”

                “Hey.” She continued walking. Some of the other members were already away from us. “Have you met Alexander and his family?”