Bloodstream (#2 Blood Series)

Chapter 6

My mother has started to cast odd glances in my direction because I don't really get out and do anything except go to school. When in there I simply hide out and pray that I won't run into Nathan. I've been lucky so far. From the whispers I've been hearing the Bloods are under heat due to Dave's anti-gangs campaign and thus have been laying low for a while. Except for Nathan and his friends who according to the little birdie have been around town looking for a guy named Oliver. This has caused tension between them and the rest of the Bloods because they don't like people knowing their business and Nathan has been going around shouting it to the world.

My heart flutters knowing that he did everything he could to find me but that small flicker of joy dies when I'm reminded of where I was when he was looking for me. But still... he defied the Bloods to look for me. I knew Nathan would tear the world apart to find me, so hearing about his search wasn't that surprising. But what did surprise me was the fact that he kept going even after he was told not to. The Bloods are Nathan's family, quite literally, and it astonishes me that he would dare to defy the deadliest people in the city for a girl he's only really known for a couple of months. I know he loves me but I never knew he loved me that much.

When I realize that my mother is suspecting something I know I have to leave the house if not for my sanity then for hers. I don't want her to worry, I need to throw her off my trail. So I call up Amy, my dad's girlfriend and the mother of my brand new brother. I ask if I can come over and she says that she's over the moon to have company, especially now that my dad is away on business and she's alone with the baby.

Mom still looks a bit suspicious when I say I'm going to hang out with Amy. It's no secret that I rarely hang out at my dad's although before the Abyss happened the relationship between I and my father had gotten a little better. We're still not close but we're getting along and compared to how things once were it's a huge improvement. So you can't blame my mom for being skeptic when I announce that I'm voluntarily hanging out with my stepmom. I lived with Amy and Dad for a while in the fall when I couldn't stay here in my house because of Dave so even though she'd never admit it I know that it bothers Mom whenever I go over to Dad's. It makes her remember the time we didn't even speak to each other.

Mom looks at me worried. "Are you sure you should go there? She just had a baby, she doesn't need to have to stress about having guests over. Maybe she was just being polite when you asked. Did she sound tired?" she interrogates me.

I roll my eyes. "Mom, she said it was fine. Besides the baby is sleeping so we are just going to catch up and maybe watch a movie if he won't wake up."

When my mom isn't looking I grab the pocket knife we got as a Christmas present from Mom's uncle Terrence. It has been laying there on the kitchen counter, waiting for us to find a use to it. Well, I just did. I may be pretty fearless but I'm not invincible and having something to scare off potential Bloods coming for me can never hurt. They must have learned from before and won't come packed light anymore if you know what I mean.

I take my new car and drive up to Amy's. She welcomes me at the door and motions at me to come inside. She has prepared cookies and tea. We talk as we enjoy them and thankfully Amy doesn't ask a lot of questions about France after I've instigate that it's not something I want to discuss. Instead we talk about the baby to whom Amy refers as honey, her sun, beautiful and darling thing. She won't say his name because Dad and she have agreed to keep it a secret until the christening. I hate it when people do that but who am I to judge. I (thankfully) don't have any kids just yet.

After talking until our throats got sore we watch a movie. It is some stupid comedy that doesn't make either of us laugh. I remember halfway through the second movie that I'm actually supposed to go by a bookstore to pick up a book I ordered before I went missing. Due to a delivery error it has just now been shipped. The shop closed at six so after promising to come by again to watch my brother do more than just eat and sleep I head to the bookstore. I make it just in time and get my book even if the woman behind the counter is frowning at me for coming in so last minute.