The Mystery Guy Next Door

√ 11) Sorting My Life Out

I woke up today to the sound of chirping. Birds chirruping. By my side was Jace; peacefully in his sleep. Once I woke up, I spent some of my time studying the delicate features on his face. I traced them with my fingertips, taking in the soft feel of his delicate skin underneath. After a few minutes, Jace suddenly grinned.

"Watching me where you?" Jace asked.

"Uh no," I denied. What else was I going to say, 'Yes I was watching you like a drunk guy on a dodgy doorstep.' No..not really.

He knew I was lying but he chuckled anyway. I groaned whilst rolling my eyes which caused Jace to smirk. With that, I stood up and jumped out of bed but me being me forgot that I was wearing Jace's clothes which were by the way way too big for me. Therefore causing me to trip over them; sending me crashing to the floor. That's when Jace doubled up in hysteria. Moodily, I marched out of the room, his loud cackling echoing everywhere around me.

***

After a huge bowl of fruit salad, I scribbled a few words down on a piece of paper for Jace because of two reasons. One to tell him why and where I was going and the other was because he was still rolling around in bed somewhere upstairs. I stuck the note on the fridge with a magnet and made my way next door; home.

I made my way to the front door and dug out the door key from my jeans pocket. I slipped it into the lock, I tried to twist the key once it was in the lock but it wouldn't budge. I tried again but it was no success. At the moment I felt an eerie feeling and I could actually feel the change in the air around me. The slow gentle breeze totally dropped and there was no natural sounds all around me. I spun around just to check if there was anyone around me. A figure flickered in the shadows. The adrenaline which came from God knows where, caused me to twist the key even harder and thankfully with that the door finally opened. I quickly slammed the door behind me and locked it just in case there was someone really out there. I shouted up the stairs and down the hallway.

"Mum! Nate! I'm home!!!" I called.

Not hearing a reply, I decided to check every room to confirm my suspicion of my mum not being home. I glanced at my watch and the time it displayed proved that my brother was obviously not at home. He said that he was leaving for university some day this week. I just hoped that he had already left otherwise I would be under severe grilling. For mum, if they weren't at home then I don't know where they would be. I sighed and slumped onto the sofa.

At the moment, the landline phone rang. I walked over and answered the ringing. My mums voice answered from the other end of the phone.

"Is that you Riley?" she was literally screaming down the line.

"Yes mum. Its me. About last ni--" She didn't even let me finish my bloody sentence.

"Yes. Young lady about last night. What bloody time did you come home last night!? You most certainly did not come back by midnight. You must have arrived only a few hours ago and what the hell are you doing up already?!! You have no idea how worried we were. A million things could have gone wrong and you young lady will not be going to any other party anytime soon."

"Alright, I'm sorry." I sighed.

"You better be sorry Riley. I was worried sick. Are you alright? Nothing bad happened right?" She asked.

I felt a pang of guilt. "No mum, I slept over at J's. Its all ok. Where are you?"

She sighed. "Next time just make sure to let me know where you are." After a few silent moments, she finally spoke. "Me and Nate have come to London for a few days. Aunt Helenas had an accident. Nothing too serious. Just a few scratches and fractured bones."

I let out a breath. "Send her my love. I really need a shower."

"Ok darling just make sure you take care of yourself. We'll be back in a week or so, maybe sooner. Love you."

"Love you too mum." I sighed and disconnected the call.

A knock on the front door drew me back to Earth. I crept to the door and peered through the letterbox. Only to be confronted with laughter. The laughter belonged to Jace.

"W-what , the, hell?!" Jace managed in between laughter.

I quickly stood up and shook myself.

I opened the door and blushed fiercely.

"Your absolutely mad." Stated Jace.

"Thanks."

"Come on Riley get ready."

"Why? What for?"

"Seriously. Things are changing for the worst. We need to start training right now as ASAP. I'll explain on the way to the park but come on we need to move."

"Training?" I asked even more confused.

Judging by the expression on his face, I didn't question further. I ran upstairs to have a quick shower and a even quicker change into my sporty clothes and I tied my hair up into a high ponytail. I didn't have time for makeup.

Apparently we were down to business...