Protecting Alice

Chapter 1: Life Changing Event

Alice was busy getting ready for her first day back as a senior at San Marcos College.  She pulled her dark brown hair into a pony tail and was dancing around to some songs on her phone.  Alice's hair use to be black when she was little but when she turned 16 years old it turned dark brown like her dad's.  She's 22 years old but looks 17. 

Jeremy was waiting patiently downstairs for her since he knew she takes her sweet time getting ready.  They always ride together to college even when he moved into an apartment.  Jeremy liked making the extra effort to spend some quality time with her.  His blonde hair was soft to the touch and his green eyes always had eyes for Alice but he chose to deny his feelings.  Jeremy wore his black leather jacket, white tee shirt, and dark washed out jeans. 

Alice ran down the stairs to kiss her Mom and Dad goodbye.  She said, "I am so excited to move in with Carly today!  Love you both!"  Jeremy grinned and said, "Okay little miss excitable!  I know you love me too!"  He gave her a flirty wink then turned to Nick respectfully and said, "I will report to you after classes for bodyguard training."  Alice paid no mind to his flirting because he had done that for years to her.  She would always replay his words after he kissed her at the senior prom.  Jeremy said back then, "Sorry about that, Alice.  I just got caught up in the moment."  Those words cut her pretty deep and she never brought that up to him.  Jeremy ran to catch up to his best friend.  She drove her red Buick as they slowly pulled into campus. 

Alice's day started out pretty typical until she walked up to her friend's apartment after classes were over.  Jeremy texted her that he was hanging out with Max and would see her later.  A guy bumped into Alice and then he stared at her with his deep blue eyes making her shudder, not in a good way.  He gave her the creeps. She walked quickly to find Carly's door open.  Carly was face down dead in a puddle of blood with a knife in her back.  Alice cried and fell to her knees.  She called 911 and then her parents. 

Alice was on the phone with Jeremy saying, "I can't even breathe!  Jeremy, please come quick.  I need my best friend right now."  Jeremy got there after she was questioned by the police.  Her phone dinged signaling a text message from an unknown number.  It read, "Tell no one about seeing me at the apartment.  If you value your family's lives."  She snuck her phone into her pocket before anyone noticed.  Her mom, Tara, hugged her tightly while Nick talked to the cops.  They drove her home and Jeremy volunteered to take her car since Max dropped him off.  Jeremy told Alice, "Everything will be okay."  Alice nodded but she knew her life as she knew it would never be the same.  Alice had tears coming down her face and stayed silent during the entire drive back to their house. She was fearing for both her life and her loved ones. 

Nick just remembered that he was going to interview the new candidate for a bodyguard position when they drove up.  The guy sat on the porch and stood up when they all got out of their cars.  He had sweet smile on his face.  Nick apologized saying, "My daughter, Alice's friend was murdered today and I completely forgot about the interview.  Wait, you are Alan Parker's kid, Asher." Asher said, "I am so sorry to hear about that and the interview isn't important right now."  Nick replied, "I was going to hire you on the spot. You have a good work ethic and cleaned up your act."

Asher thanked him profusely as his dark brown eyes landed on Alice. Nick introduced everyone and invited Asher inside to show courtesy. Asher talked to Alice and said, "I want to let you know that I want to be your friend. I know this is so hard on you and it is always good to have someone to talk to other than family." His words comforted her but Alice noticed Jeremy looking jealous. His green eyes shot daggers at Asher and his one word answers when anyone was talking to him spoke volumes.

Alice went back to her room to have space from all the endless chatter. She laid on her bed then held on to her knees and cried. Asher knocked on her door. She said, "Come in." He sat next to her and held his arms out. Asher hugged her tightly and said, "Your Dad just pulled me aside and told me that he chose me to be your bodyguard. I promise to protect you and be here for you, Alice." Asher's heart was beating fast and for once he was having feelings for someone. He gave her his number and entered her number into his phone. He spoke softly, "I will see you tomorrow, beautiful." In an instant, he was gone and Alice missed his comforting presence.

She overheard Jeremy talking to her dad saying, "I should be her bodyguard since I've known her my whole life not this douche." Nick replied, "You have your test in a few days and you can both protect her." Jeremy grumbled but took his offer since he respected Nick. When Jeremy came into her room, Alice asked him, "Why are you acting like this? Asher is a nice person." Jeremy smirked then backed her to the wall. He put her hands above her head then kissed her passionately. Jeremy said, "I don't like that guy talking to you." Alice was stunned by him kissing her.  She said, "I thought the last kiss you gave me in high school was a mistake. Now you do it again? What's wrong with you?"

Jeremy frustrated her and was very difficult to read since he flirted with other woman.  He hurt her heart more than he knew. He said nothing and left her room. Alice sat back on her bed and crossed her arms. She said out loud, "Men are so frustrating!"