The Boys Next Door

Chapter 2

I walk into my room, large enough to fit a single thin bed my wardrobe and a nightstand. I didn't mind though, less attention to myself.

Usually, once I get home I'd finish up assignments or go exploring. Today was different. I had to figure out how those five houses had gotten filled. Was there an ulterior motive or was it just coincidence?

The only problem was that I didn't know how to. I decided to finish some homework then I'd figure out this new dilemma.

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A couple of hours and 7 study sheets later and it was already dark outside. Halfway through studying I could hear loud banging and plenty of grunts telling me mum had a 'client'. I shuddered at the disgusting thought of her with a fat greasy man.

They were still together when i managed to sneak out of the house undetected. My plan was to spy on the new neighbors.

Dressed in black, I quickly walked across the road towards the furthest house.

"Holy shit!"

I had my black hoodie and kept my head down which blocked my peripheral vision. I didn't notice the car that was slowly rolling, trying to exit the street. Because I didn't notice this, my body was now half underneath the car and I could feel a pounding in my head.

Groaning, I turn and using all the upper strength I had, managed to crawl out from under the car.

"Shit. Shit. Shit. Are you okay? Fuck, here I'm gonna lift you up," the strange voice said, worry filling the masculine tone. It was tol dark to make out any face. We didn't have street lights down this street. The stranger lifted my painful body with ease and carried me towards the second house from my place.

I groaned again and felt a lovely haze fill my head. All I wanted was blissful sleep. That was, until the stranger shook me.

"No no. You gotta stay awake for me okay?"

He reached a door and with a but of fiddling, managed to kick it open. This house was similar to mine in the architectural aspect. Where mine was dirty and neglected, his was clean and and bright.

I turned towards him to get a look at what he looked like. I wanted to make sure I could identify him if I was in the wrong hands. But no matter how hard a squinted, my eyes wouldn't stop blurring from the haze in my head and soon enough, I blacked out.

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I jerked upright, gasping. Where was I?

"Hey! Hey, it's alright. I'm here. It's alright," The strange man had his arm around me, patting my head. He lent over and turned on the lap next to the bed I'm sitting on. I was grateful for the soft light that lit the room instead of harsh bright light. My head was pounding so hard and it felt like I was suffering a hangover.

I looked towards the man and was shocked to see he looked so young. He had light brown hair, almost blond with beautiful hazel eyes.

He smirked and I realised I was staring. With my mouth open. Embarrassed, I looked down, trying to discreetly wipe any drool that might have made a surprise appearance.

"So, what's your name?" He asked.

"Stella," I whispered, not used to talking to people.

"Well Stella. You're officially the first person to give me a heart attack!" He joked. I looked up, confusion written all over my face. The boys smile dropped off his face.

"You don't remember?"

"Not much to be honest," I whispered again.

The boy sighed and offered me his hand. "I'll tell you over a cup of hot cocoa?"

I nodded and put my hand in his larger one. Standing up, I could feel all the cuts and bruises on my body. I winced a little when I lent on my left foot, the side that was hit by the car first.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to carry you?" The boy's big hazel eyes looked worriedly at me as he started lifting me up, not bothering to wait for a reply. We left the comfy double bed and down a short hallway. He flipped on the light and sat me down on a stood at the granite breakfast counter. The boy then went to grab two mugs, a big tin of Milo and turned on the kettle.

"What's you're name?" I ask, my confidence building slightly.

"So she speaks!" He exclaims without turning from creating the drink. "The name's Jake. Just moved here today actually,"

"I noticed," i replied dryly.

"You did?"

"This street used to be empty until today,"

A strange look crossed his face but it was so quick I could have imagined it.
"How old are you?" Jake asked.
Did he purposefully change the subject?

I decided to ignore my suspicions for now and do some investigating later.
"I'm seventeen. Almost eighteen actually,"

Jake nodded his head. "Me too actually! Starting senior classes at Narangba after the holiday" he smiled toothily as he turned towards me, holding the two steaming cups.

I inwardly cursed. He was going to find out why everyone hates me. He'll hate me and then that would mean I will have a neighbor who hates me. What if he tells everyone where I live?

"You gonna drink that?" Jakes voice jolts me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry, I've never had this before," I say then cringe at his suddenly outraged face.

"You... you mean to tell me that you've never had hot chocolate before?" His voice rising higher and higher. "This is unacceptable. You need to drink this now and let your tastebuds be filled with the best drink you will ever consume," he pants after delivering his speech. Jake truly looked mad so I nodded my head and quickly took a sip of the now warm liquid. I don't know if i can find words to describe how delicious this drink is.

"So? Is it good or what?" He smiles triumphantly when i nod my head and drink more. I make a mental note that I need to invest in these drinks when grocery shopping.

"Where's your parents?" I said, realising it was almost midnight and no one was home.

"Oh. Uh, nowhere. Are you finished with that? I'll wash up," with that, Jake stands to wash the cups, not looking me in the eye the whole time.

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Another, unedited chapter.

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