When I'm with you

Chapter 29

Sean drove me home soon after we talked. The way to my house seemed longer than our way to the beach. The distance between us was so obvious that it made the air heavier. I was looking out the window during the whole ride, unable to look at him. I just couldn't bear to see his lonely face right now; I was afraid that if I were to see it, tears would start falling down my face again.

Everything was darker now that the sun had set. After a while, I couldn't even make out the trees by the side of the road. It was almost funny how the setting always seemed to match the atmosphere: the mood in the car was getting dark too. Sean and I didn't utter a word throughout the drive home. I was expecting it, but it still stung. We arrived at my house in 30 minutes. I got off the car and said goodbye to Sean and, as usual, he gave me a warm and gentle smile as a response. I was hoping that this wasn't my last farewell to him. I hoped that like the sun, he would continue to rise for the next day and give sunshine to my life. Then it was Sean's turn to say goodbye. Of course, he did it in the most cheerful way possible. He flashed me a smile as radiant as the sun, telling me that everything would be okay. I felt my throat tighten; I could still see the pain from his eyes. I had seen this kind of pain before and it never crossed my mind that I'd see it again. I gave him my widest smile before he drove away and totally disppeared.

Our house was so dark; no sign of people inside. My parents were still at work. I walked up to the front door and paused to search for my keys in my bag. Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I froze when I saw a man's shadow from behind me. I then remembered the news from this morning that there was a kidnapper lurking around in the evening. I started to feel nervous: my hands were shaking inside my bag. I frantically tried to look for a weapon, but I never brought weapons with me before.

Fortunately, I'd learned some self-defense in the past, so I was confident with my strength. I took a deep breath to prepare myself. Before the guy made his move, I quickly stepped sideways, grabbed his arm, twisted and pulled it on his back. Much to my surprise, it was easier. It was as if he didn't resist at all. The man groaned in pain. That made me realize that his voice was somehow familiar. I quickly released his arm and looked at his face. My jaw dropped when I found out that it was Gab.

"What the hell Gab?! Don't scare me like that!" I punched his arm as I let out a sigh of relief. My heart was still beating fast. I didn't know what I would have done if it really was a kidnapper. Gab groaned again in pain as he massaged his arm.

"What is your problem? You're the one who scared me. You suddenly grabbed my arm like a freaking wrestler and twisted and pulled it back. That freaking hurt, you know!" Gab retorted.

"Because you scared me! I thought you were the kidnapper from the news."

"Do I look like a kidnapper to you?"

Gab looked irritated now, his eyebrows meeting in a frown. Honestly, it was all his fault. If he hadn't showed up like that, I wouldn't have had to hurt him.

"What are you doing here, in the first place?" I asked.

Gab quickly avoided my gaze as he pretended to look around. As if that could fool me. I crossed my arms and looked at him as I waited for his answer.

"Because you said you were going to do something with Sean so I got curious and came here to check it out. By the way, it's already evening and you just got home. Just where did the two of you go?"

I could feel my face heating up when I remembered Sean's confession again. Just like what Gab did, I also avoided his gaze.

"It's none of your business." I muttered.

Gab's frown deepened at my words. I couldn't understand why he was so interested in the first place. I mean, I never asked him anything about Cindy so I figured it was just normal for me to not say anything about Sean and me.