Break Me If You Can (Anthony Padilla)

Chapter 5 || Falling

What the hell did I get myself into?

I nervously play with my fingers as Anthony pulls into his driveway.

He looks at me reassuringly.

"It'll be okay," he says. "My family's gonna like you, don't worry."

I nod, and we both get out of the car and walk to the front door.

Anthony puts his key into the lock and turns it, opening the door.

He steps inside, with me following closely at his heels.

"Mom!" he shouts.

A short woman with brown eyes and black hair walks out of the kitchen.

She comes up to me.

"Hello!" she says. "You must me Katia."

"Hi," I mumble, looking down at my feet.

"She's a shy one, huh?" she says to Anthony, winking. "Well, you two have fun, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me!"

"Excuse my mom," Anthony says. "She's always like this around my friends."

Friends. Right.

I follow him downstairs, to the basement.

We sit down on the big leather couch, in front of the tv.

Close, but not too close.

He grabs the remote and turns on a movie; The Hunger Games.

We just sit and watch the movie for a while.

I can literally feel the awkward.

"I'm scared," I blurt out during one of the chase scenes.

"Don't worry," Anthony says. "There's noting to be scared of."

He comes closer and puts his arm around me protectively.

There's a lot to be scared of, actually.

I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, wishing I could stay there forever.

-Part 2-

I wake up in the same spot, now covered in a fleece blanket.

I see Anthony fell asleep, too.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and unlock it.

3 missed calls from the lab.

"Crap," I say under my breath.

I feel Anthony stir next to me.

He opens his eyes and yawns.

"Anthony," I whisper. "I need to go home."

"Do you need a ride?" he says sleepily.

I shake my head no.

"It's okay," I say, smiling. "I can survive the journey on foot."

He laughs slightly.

"Alright then," he says.

He pulls me in for a quick hug and kisses me on the cheek.

"See you tomorrow."