The NEWBIE

Chapter 12

***12***

ELSA

He was already shaking while he clutched himself, tightly. His face became paler with the dim light touching his face. He looked defenceless when he's asleep. He looked different. At school, he looked arrogant and violent, but now, he looked nothing compared to it.

Why am I looking at him? I quickly looked away and as quick as that, I fell asleep.

It felt like a minute had just passed when he woke me up at two o' clock in the morning. I lifted my body sluggishly and sat right up. It was still dark outside.

"The rain already stopped. Let's get you home." He told me, his voice was very deep and hoarse. I noticed that he looked weaker than before. His cheeks were flushed, already. I tried to touch his neck if he felt hot but he just gently slapped my hand before I could even touch him.

He finally put on his shirt, and then I remembered what he did, last night.

"C'mon." he said as he put his helmet on my head. He started the engine when I finally hopped in to his motorbike and then he drove us off, quick.

When we finally got to the first row of houses that we'd seen, I snapped at him. "I remember this part!"

"Huh?" he was clueless.

"Yeah, the school bus always drives by this neighbourhood." I continued. "Uhm- go left."

"Are you sure? I thought you don't know the way home?" he said.

"Trust me, I remember this part."

I heard him sigh and finally turned left. We drove past a lot of neighbourhoods but it didn't take long for me to find the right one.

"Stop right next to that house." I pointed out. We stopped right next to a two-storey house.

"This is it?" he asked me.

"Yes," I replied. I stepped down his motorbike and took his helmet off. The house was still lit in every room.

I finally turned to him, "Uh... thanks." I said, but I couldn't look at him directly in the eye. He didn't really say anything. And then, I remembered that I was still holding his helmet.

"This is yours," I added, awkwardly. After he took it, he just nodded and put it on and off he went through the dark streets.

I looked at my house, thinking of what to say when I see Mom and Dad. What would they say when I tell them that I slept in a waiting shed, all night, with a guy that I barely even know, rode a motorbike, and got my cell phone broken into pieces? I wouldn't know the answer if I don't enter.

I briskly walked along the driveway, getting closer to the door. I knocked on the door for how many times until I heard footsteps running down the stairs.

The door was opened by Mom, who hugged me, tightly, as soon as she opened the door.

"Elsa, what happened?" she said as she brushed the strands of hair on the back of my neck.

"It's a long story, Mom." I said, struggling from her tight hug.

She kissed my forehead and called Dad. Dad quickly went downstairs, his plump body, running for me.

"Elsa," he said, giving me another hug. He was followed by Anna who looked like she just woke up from a long sleep. She rubbed her eyes as she looked at me. She squints and then moves closer.