The Protector

Chapter 1

"So you promise you won't stay out too late? And you'll call me if any of your plans change?" My mum asked for the third time in the last hour.

I laughed at her worry.

"Mum, I promise." I smiled, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. That seemed to reassure her a little as I walked over and grabbed my clutch. I stopped by the full length mirror on the wall and had a last look at my finished outfit. My naturally subtle red hair was let loose, the curls lying nicely on my shoulders, complementing my black body-con dress that reached just under halfway on my thighs. A bit short, I know, but when my best friend surprised me with his plans this morning, it was too late notice to buy anything new.

I spot the clock in the reflection of the mirror. Shit.

"I better leave, I'm going to be late." I tell my mum and she nods, finishing a sip of her tea.

"Alright, stay safe Lily. I love you." She came over again and gave me a hug. I smiled into her embrace. As sweet as this is, it's very dramatic. I'm going out to a club for my 18th birthday, not about to travel the world on a massive life long mission.

I heard a knock at the door. I thought I was supposed to be meeting Alex there?

"Happy Birthday!" I was greeted by my rather excited looking best friend and I couldn't help but giggle.

Before I could speak, he carried on,

"I know I was supposed to meet you at The Pandanomia but I had to give you my present and I didn't want you to be lugging it about all night so I came here first." He smiled as he plonked a huge present in front of me.

"Oh hello, Mrs Heart." Alex waved to my mum sitting at the kitchen counter top.

"Hello Alex." My mum returned, equally as friendly as she got up and walked into her room.

Alex returned his focus back on to me.

"Open it then." He spoke eagerly and I laughed, throwing my hands up in defence.

As I unwrapped the paper, I saw it.

"Oh my Gosh, Alex I love it!" I exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

A collage canvas of the two us sat before me, with all our favourite memories together. It was so thoughtful of him.

We had been best friends ever since we were in kindergarten, Alex and I. He's like the brother I never had.

"I don't mean to rush you but we better go. The queue will be super long if we don't hurry." 

I nodded in agreement and grabbed my jacket before leaving the apartment. I shut the door behind me as I walked down the stairs.

The wind nipped at my cheeks as we walked outside. It was quite chilly for only 8 o'clock and after about 3 minutes of walking trying to withstand the cold, I persuaded Alex to get a Taxi to save us all a couple of toes.

We finally reached The Pandanomia.