Listen.

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Apparently I was gone a long time. My mothers voice continued to screech over the phone and I just rolled my eyes, keeping the phone about five inches away from my head.

If she kept going at it like this, I'll be deaf before the call is done.

Niko and Lee looked at me from their spots across the room and I could tell that Niko was trying to hold in his laughter. I shot him a death glare, but it did nothing but make the situation worse.

Getting fed up, I quickly said into the phone, "Mom, I understand that I'm in trouble, but if you keep nagging at me, I'll never come home. Ok?"

"Listen to me, Avery. If you don't get your tiny ass back here in thirty minutes, I'll make it so you can't leave the house anymore. Got that?" I could practically hear the steam coming out of her ears, she was so angry.

"Ok, Mom! I get it. I'll be home soon." Before she could say anything else, I quickly ended the call and put my phone on silent.

I looked at the two men in front of me and pursed my lips, trying to think of something that wouldn't make this situation any more awkward. Mulling it over in my head, I realized I would only make a complete fool of myself if I didn't talk, so instead I just walked to the desk, took the key and contract, and nodded to Niko and Lee.

"Well. I believe I have to go, so... I'll see you later."

I turned and headed for the door, excited to finally be leaving this place. Once I was out, I realized something.

I poked my head back in and shyly said, "Right, so how do I get out of here?"

~•~•~

Turns out, since I was so focused on getting away from Niko, that I didn't even realize the many turns and stairs it took to get to the office.

We went up two levels and made about 50 different turns before we got back balcony above the dance room.

Below was a very different scene than what I saw when I first came here. The music was off, lights were low, and only a handful of people were there compared to the hundred or so that originally filled the room.

Niko turned to me with a scowl on his face, making it hard for me to admire his pretty nice features.

"Look, I don't know why my uncle thought it would be a good idea to give you a key and make you sign that stupid contract, especially since this place is supposed to be a secret. I mean, if we get caught, we're screwed." He took a deep breath and paused, as if gathering his thoughts.

"I just want to tell you that if you lose that key, or bring anyone here who could endanger the security of this place and everyone in it, I will make you regret ever coming here. Got it?"

I nodded slowly, retreating a few steps back. Niko obviously cared for this place, and I could tell he loved being able to converse with the people here, and listen to music at his own free will.

He smiled down at the few people below us on the dance floor, the corners of his eyes wrinkling to form laugh lines. It was so different than the scowl usually planted on his face.

He looked so carefree, the opposite of whenever he as near me.

And when I saw him on the DJ stand using his turntable, it was as if he was in his own world. One where the President wasn't a dictator and ignored every part of the Constitution.

One where he could just be himself.

I looked at him and gently touched his arm. He flinched at the contact and I snatched my hand away, looking anywhere but him.