A killer smile - Alex Hayes

Chapter 5

I caught the bus home. Alex was kind enough to offer me a lift but he's done enough for me today.

As I walk home, mum comes rushing down the stairs and fires millions of questions at me. most of which revolve around me being safe, if i made any friends and if we think we should move again.

i answered truthfully to all of them. i told her about alex, and his friends. she seems happy for me but at the same time worried, basically how i feel. i can't get too attached and i can't trust anyone.

I walk upstairs and unpack my school back onto my desk. I have math homework, i feel confident enough to do it myself and i usually am good at math. I also have physics homework, i'm not the best at physics but i'll try my hardest to achieve good grades.

I'm mid way through my math homework when i get a text on my phone from an unknown number. Uh oh, has he found me? Has he hurt any of my fiends? what if he can see me right now. kennedy, calm down. it's probably just optus telling you how much data you have.

i open my phone, and read the message.

unknown: "Hey, april. it's me, Alex. Nick gave me your number, he said he gave it to you in class."

thank god, it's alex. but is it?"

me: "hey alex :)"

alex: "do you wanna come over and do that math homework, i mean you do need a tutor don't you? ;)"

alex is so sweet. but i feel i can do this homework by myself.

me: "i think i'll be okay, but in math tomorrow if i get any questions wrong, you can 100% tutor me."

alex: "suit yourself. are you free this weekend? my parents have a school reunion and i'm throwing a party. you should come. "

my first ever party! i'm usually studying on weekend or doing homework. i've never really had friends who party and are so free to life.

me: "i'll need to think about it. if i have any homework over the weekend i probably won't go. thanks for the invite though."

alex: "let me know!"

i put down my phone and continue with my math homework. i seem to get the hang of it after a while, well at least i think i am. hopefully this time it will be different. no killings, kidnappings and others getting hurt. i just wish my dad wasn't as psycho as he is.

I finish my math homework. it's around 7:30pm and i can smell mum cooking dinner. i walk downstairs as the smell of dinner traumatise me to do so. Mmm red curry, one of my favourite meals.

"So ken, april, i have a work shift this weekend so you'll be home alone for it. I'll be back sunday night before midnight, but i leave friday night just after you get back from school. is that okay?" Mum has the most random work shift hours. she works in a hospital so they put her on at random. sometimes she's away for a weekend, sometimes even a week. I'm use to it by now, at least dad isn't around anymore to hit me while she's gone.

"Yeah mum that's fine. i'll just be home studying as per usual." i lie. this is a perfect time for me to go to alex's party. mum doesn't mind me going out, but if i have homework she won't let me, which i get. I grab my phone and search for alex's name in my contacts.

me: "i guess i'll see you this weekend. it better be lit, or else.."

within less then a minute, my phone goes off.

alex: "because studying is more lit than a party isn't it april."

i chuckle. his sense of humour is pretty much the same as mine. I finish my red curry and by now it's around 8:15. i have a shower and get ready for bed. I turn on my sleep music and i feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier. drifting to sleep with the thought of what tomorrow will bring...