A Break Apart

CHAPTER 1. New Home

                   

I took out the last carton from the boot of my mum's white, Toyota Venza and dropped it on the floor, a little short of breath. I shut the boot, then made to bend down and pick up the carton to take inside the house when I noticed a black SUV driving by slowly. The car stopped on the street; a few walks away from the front yard of our new, modern design duplex.

I straightened myself up, staring in the direction of the matte vehicle with squinted eyes, but I couldn't see anyone through the tinted car windows.

Few seconds passed, and then the car drove away in the same pace as earlier, as if the driver had sensed my cognisance on a dirty scheme. Although I found it odd, I made nothing alarming out of the situation, and only hoped that this new neighbourhood didn't inhabit weird people. I shrugged at the scene, then went ahead to lift the huge carton that shook my balance a bit, doing my best to hurry to the front door so the weighty box doesn't drop to the floor by accident.

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I managed to raise my heavy eyelids, my whole body feeling sour. I then stretched one arm towards my bedside table and grabbed my phone to check the time. My eyes almost shutdown from the bright light that splashed in my face after I double-tapped on my phone screen. I had turned off the light in my room and drawn the curtains before sprawling on my bed for a nap. The time read exactly five o'clock PM, informing me of the long hours that I had been in bed. The unpacking and putting stuff in order had taken a ton of energy out of me.

I scooted out of my queen-size bed, ruffling the gray sheets in the process. My bare feet dragged on the wood-like, tiled floor as I slouched out of the dim room to check on Mum in her room.

I slightly opened the door to her room and found her sound asleep, cuddled up in her blanket. I smiled at how cute she looked sleeping, and then quietly, I shut the door to avoid as little as the faintest squeak and a clink, so she doesn't wake up.

I spent almost an hour pointing at the TV in search of something entertaining to watch.

"Ugh..." I threw the remote beside me and slumped my back in the couch.

I thought of my school project, but I wasn't in the mood for it. I wanted a feel of excitement that existed outside the walls of the house, letting out an exasperated sigh at my brain's poor attempt to come up with something, anything to kill this overwhelming boredom. After a short while, a thought came to me; to explore my new environment. My eyes lit up.

I strode upstairs to my room, then proceeded to my bathroom to wash my face. I came out, grabbed my phone from my bedside table and put it in the front pocket of my jeans. I stopped at my vanity and did a quick fix by running my fingers through my long, box braids. I then walked out of the room, scurried down the stairs and brisked out of the house.

The therapeutic environment brought me peace as I strolled on the tarred street with beautiful outlined houses and trees. The rain that had threatened to fall earlier only left a mild breeze floating in the atmosphere. I rubbed my bare arms with my palms, the coolness of the weather suggesting a sporting activity because I love to exercise.

Speaking of sport, I heard footsteps from behind me, which sounded more like a person jogging, or running? I stopped and turned around to affirm my suspicion. And I was right. My eyes stayed glued to the tall, dark-skinned guy jogging towards me in white trainers and a black, basketball jersey bottom, with a headphone sandwiching his slim face. I questioned why he wasn't putting on a shirt as that lured me into staring at his toned upper body.

He stopped when he reached me, and then he removed his headphone and hung it around his neck.

"Hey, sweetheart, like what you see?" I was taken off guard by his flirtatious comment. I hated pet names, especially that one, and most  especially when they spilled out from the mouth of an uncultured dude, and the statement he made got me mad.

"Excuse me?" I grimaced. "First of all, I have a name, and secondly, I don't like a bit of what I'm seeing," I added with a straight face. People were indeed weird in this estate.

"But I caught you staring at me. And I don't care what your name is, sweetheart, or cupcake? I call you whatever I want to," he smirked.

Blinking my eyes a couple of times, I let out a breath of humourless chuckle at his audacity, and then I regained composure with a tight fold of my arms across my chest and the most stoic expression that my face could muster, embracing the fire burning inside of me that was also motivating a thrust of my fist in his model-structured face. Yes, he was handsome, but that didn't mean I was attracted to the jerk. The handsome jerk.

"You are extremely annoying, in case no one ever told you so," I said and turned around to leave, with the irritation I now wore on my face.

"Hey..." He pulled me back by the arm in a gentle manner. "I was only joking with you," he said when I faced him again.

My eyes settled on his hand that still held my arm. Picking up on my dissent, he let go.

"And that wasn't funny at all," I then replied.

"Fine. I'm sorry. The name's William by the way," he injected, extending his hand for a handshake.

I stood still, contemplating.

"Okay..." He slowly dropped his hand, analysing me with his hooded eyes. "Or you prefer a hug?" He spread his arms wide, wearing a faux grin like a clown.

I rolled my eyes and stretched forth my hand instead. "I'm Nadine."

A/N

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