Bare Trees

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I stared at him, startled by his snappy commandment. He actually commanded me to let him give me a ride. Not offered...

"Are you deaf? Get in the car!" he repeated slowly like I really was deaf.

"And what if I refuse, dear stranger?" I blurted out, a little annoyed by his arrogance. And, of course, I was always full of witty remarks and retorts.

A small smirk tugged on 'unknown's lips as he looked down at me. One eyebrow arched as he waited, blocking my escape route.

"I guess I have no option, huh?" I muttered with my head down, frowning.

"Nope!" the boy chirped, evidently proud of his success over me as I yanked open the car door and clambered into this shiny black porsch, that same scowl still plastered on my face.

Unknown boy waked to the other side and stepped into the car. He fished keys out of his pocket and started the engine. The engine rumbled to life. He stepped on the gas pedal and swerved out of this street.

"Where do you live?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Why should I tell you?" was my immediate response. I said it without thinking.

"Well...I am driving you home so I have to know..." he pointed out like I was a complete idiot.

Not wanting to start a silly argument he was going to win anyways, I sighed my address to him.

"12, Seaport Road."

We wasted two minutes being quiet, letting my annoyance at him settle down. Finally, remembering how he saved my ass, I decided to thank him.

"Thank you," I mumbled, barely coherent.

"What did you say?" unknown boy required with an arched eyebrow and a taunting smirk.

"I said thanks for saving my ass back there," I blurted, glaring at him. He did hear me. He did.

I crossed my arms, leaning back in my seat.

"What's your name?" the boy asked, breaking the silence.

"Autumn," I answered simply.

I expected him to give me his name without me asking like what some people do but, I turned out to be wrong.

"Cool," he commented licking his lips then smacking them, eyes still on the road.

I stared at him for a second, waiting for him to tell me his name but he didn't look like he was going to say anything soon.

"What's yours?" I finally asked.

"My what?" he asked absent mindly, mind preoccupied with god knows what.

"Your name."

"Jamie."

I looked him up and down, stopping at his face. Did he even look like a Jamie? Or rather, seemed like a Jamie? I always thought Jamies to be fun, cheerful and outgoing but this boy beside me, from what I gathered, is grumpy and...taunting. Well maybe he was a happy baby.

"Why you checking me out?" Jamie suddenly asked, disrupting my thoughts. Again, his brow was arched in a taunting way as the same smirk was plastered on his countenance.

I blushed tremendously, averting my eyes to my folded hands on my lap, letting my hair hide my face.

Jamie kept driving. No...I didn't live so close to town.

Usually, sitting by a stranger in a car would feel awkward but with Jamie, it felt so right. It felt like we'd known eachother for years but we just didn't talk.

"We're here!" Jamie announced, pulling the brakes at the pavement. I undid my seatbelt and sat there for a moment, taking a deep breath. That day was full of events to remember.

"Thanks for everything, Jamie" I said, his name out of my mouth like I've said it a million times.

He merely nodded before asking, "Are your parents home?"

"Yeah" I lied. My parents weren't home and they never will be. I just didn't want pity right now whether this boy was going to show me any if I did tell him.

He nedded at that statement too.

"Goodbye, Autumn," he said and I swear, my name rolled off the tip of his tongue just as easily as his did mine.

I flashed him a half smile before pushing open the door and climbing out. Shutting the door firmly behind me, I walked over to my front steps. Tobi seemed to be home. His sleek black BMW was parked at the curb. I rang the doorbell having forgotten my keys and Jamie started to back out of the estate. I didn't look back at him, I swear. Okay, maybe once...Or twice...Or three times...