The Boys Next Door

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Cayden

Oh god, oh god, oh god. What have I done? I slammed my fist against the door, causing it to rattle on its hinges. I took a deep breath, rubbing at my face with one hand as the other supported my weight against the door. Do not get involved, I chided myself. After another deep breath, I turned, staring at the window. The sight sent shivers down my spine, as I thought of her hand against mine, as I passed over the paper. I probably shouldn't have lingered so long, but I couldn't help it.

Besides, what would she think of me if I started something with her the second after I broke up with Mer? Granted, we weren't necessarily a couple, but more like friends with benefits, but that didn't make me look any better either. I sighed, pushing off and swinging myself around, and I flopped down on the bed, the springs squeaking under my weight. I needed to get my mind straight before I talked to her again.

But what if she calls you? A little voice in the back of my mind asked. I let out a frustrated moan. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "What?" I snapped. The door creaked open, and mom popped her greying head in.

"I just wanted to check to make sure you were okay," she looked around my room cautiously. "I heard a bang."

I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling, "yeah, I'm fine. It was just the door."

She frowned, her cheeks sagging some. "Okay. Make sure you go to bed soon... you have to go to the store for me tomorrow morning." She started to turn away.

"Shit, mom are you serious? I had plans tomorrow," I groaned.

She whipped around, eyes shining with fury, "First of all, watch your language, you are still under my roof and I will not tolerate that type of language. Second, that's why I said go in the morning so you have time. It's just a few things, and while you're there, you can pick up some stuff for your dorm room. Goodnight, Cayden." She stalked away.

I glared at the door, eventually getting up to slam it shut. Maybe I would be able to convince Tyler to come with me. With that in mind, I slipped out of my clothes and slid into bed, staring at the window long into the night.

***

Tyler refused to go with me.

No matter how much I begged, cursed him out, or bribed him, he refused. He said he wasn't going anywhere I wanted him to go again, at least not after that miniature golf situation. I wanted to point out, as I put butter on my toast, that he did benefit from that trip. I mean for God's sake, he practically had Taylor on top of him. The thought made my blood boil, but I pushed it away. "Come on," I begged him, "It's just a quick trip. It's not that big of a deal."

"Exactly my point. It isn't a big deal; so why should I go with you?" Tyler countered. He wouldn't look at me. His gaze was locked on his bowl of cereal, but he wasn't eating it, he was just swirling his spoon around, watching the flakes turn to mush.

"Whatever, man. I'll see you later." I turned to leave.

"No you won't," Tyler called out. I swiveled on one heel, staring at him. My eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?" I sensed an outburst coming on. I took a deep breath, wringing my hands together as I waited for his response.

"I'm going to see the new spy movie with Tae," with that, Tyler stood, placed his bowl in the sink and strolled away. My fists clenched together, the knuckles going white. I scowled at his retreading back, imagining what it would be like to throw a punch right now. But I wouldn't, and he knew I wouldn't, and that was why he said it. To appear like he had the upper hand. Well played brother, well played.

I grabbed my car keys and left.

***

I tapped my fingers impatiently against the handle of the cart, as I waited for the old man in front of me to finish buying cat food. The sight had seemed odd when I first saw him unloading his cart, but now I was just ready to take the stupid cans and throw them across the store. I looked down at my watch. I had already been here for over an hour. Quick trip my ass. Finally, the conveyor belt moved forward enough for me to start unloading my stuff. I practically threw it all on.

Milk, Pine-sol, and cookie mix. That was all my mom needed. Luckily, she had given me close to two hundred dollars to pick up some items for my dorm room this fall. I scooped up the mini trash can and bulletin board from the cheap blue cart, and set them back down on the belt. That, along with a table lamp, a blanket set, and the new Madden game was all I got. Granted, I did spend sometime in the book section, contemplating whether or not I should buy the one that Taylor had on the poster over her bed, but decided against it.

The man in front of me took his receipt with a "thank you" and hobbled away, two bags of cat food swinging from each arm. I watched him leave, as the girl in front of me started ringing up my stuff. I was about to look away when I saw a flash of blonde. Taylor wandered in, grabbing a basket and heading towards the bathing suit section. My mind flashed back to the pool the other day. I broke out of my daze when the girl in front of me said, "Is that all for you today?" She was pretty I guess, with strawberry blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a smattering of freckles across her nose.

I glanced once more over her shoulder, where Taylor was holding up a royal blue bikini up to her lithe frame. She looked up, as if she could sense me watching. She caught my gaze for half a second, her mouth opening to call out, but I looked away. I twisted back to the checkout girl, and smiled. "I'm still missing your number."

She blushed, looking down at her pink painted nails. Taylor called my name. I looked up, my gaze passing over her, and I knew my face was set in stone, bored, impassive. When my eyes swept over her, the hand she had lifted in greeting drooped, and she looked away, making her way back to the movie section. She looked back twice. I returned my attention to the blushing girl in front of me, and even though my gut, as it sat sick and twisted inside of me, was screaming at me to run over and beg for forgiveness and apologize.

"I, uh," the girl stuttered. "That's very nice of you," her gaze flickered to the help desk by the doors, where her manager was watching over with beady eyes. "Would you like a receipt?" she squeaked out. I nodded, a small smile still playing at my lips. She quickly grabbed the paper, and with her eyes still on her manager, she scrawled something across the back, as she said, "now, if you take this survey online about our service, you can get five percent off next time you come here." She handed over the paper. I glanced at what she had written.

It was her phone number.

When I got outside, I transferred the bags to one hand, while I chucked the receipt in the trash with the other. I tried not to imagine the girl when she never got a call from the boy she met at work today. I shrugged it off. Right now, my mind was still on another girl from that store today. The one I really wanted to call, but didn't have the number for. Maybe you could—my mind started.

No.

Not after Ana.

Never after Ana.

A/N:

And scene.

Who's Ana? You may be asking (or not, I don't know what goes on in your mind). Well you'll just have to wait for more Cayden chapters ;) Speaking of which, did you like his perspective more than Taylor's? Should I do more chapters in other people's perspectives too? Tell me what you think! Don't be a silent reader!

Also, I just wanted to say, so sorry this chapter is so short (Just over 1,000 words), I swear I'll be writing longer, better chapters soon. Also, sorry this is a day late, I was just really sick the past few days. Ugh.

Finally, we're so close to 100 views. Please comment, vote, and tell your friends about this!

Love Always,

Amanda