Falling for Mr Innocent

Worried

Dad.

I run to him and hug him tightly. Dad wraps his arms around me and starts rubbing my back. I weep in his arms. A wave of relief washes over me.

"It's alright dear, I'm here." He whispers. I nod. "You go home with Ralph. I'm gonna talk to the officer here."

I do as he said and walk out of the police station. I skip a step and fall but luckily Ralph catches me.

"Careful dear." He says as he guides me back to the car.

"I'm tired." I say.

"I know." He says as he starts the car and we drive away.

Once we are home, I step out of the car but because of the exhaustion, my knees becomes wobbly. I hold the handle of the door to support myself. Ralph is soon by my side. He puts my hand on his shoulder and leads me inside.

Rachel, Jason, Austin, Paige, Chris and mom all are sitting in the hall with a frown and grim expression plastered on their faces. Chris, mom, Paige and Rachel's faces are even tear strained.

"Look who's home." Ralph says to catch everyone's attention.

A wave of relief washes over everyone. They all get up and walk to me. But I just need one person the most right now. I remove my hand from Ralph's shoulder and take a few steps to reach mom.

"Mom." I say as I burry my head in her neck. And I weep again.

"I'm here honey." She says in a calming tone. "God Kath you are freezing." That's when I realise that I am still wearing my wet clothes. I really do feel cold.

Once I pull away from her, I go to my friends as we group hug. Paige and Rachel even cries a little.

"I swear to god Katherine if you ever went somewhere without informing again, I will find you and then kill you." Austin scolds. I smile at his words.

"We should go and check on Gabriel now Aus." Paige says as they all pull away.

"Yeah Paige's right. We should go too Rachel." Jason says.

They all left after some time and said that they'll come to visit again soon. Only me, mom and Chris were left in the hall.

"Katherine. You don't have any idea how worried I was." Mom says as another tear fall from her eye. I rub it with my thumb.

"I'm sorry mom." I say.

"I'll leave you two alone now." She says and walks back to her room.

I turn to face Chris. His eyes are filled with anger. He strides forward and grabs my arm, leading me to the backyard. His grip is so tight and rough, I'm sure a bruise will form there.

He leaves my arm with a jerk once there.

"Chris.. I.. I am sorry. It.." I start but he interrupts.

"Enough Katherine. Enough with your carelessness, enough with your recklessness. I was so worried. After that text you send me this morning, your phone was off. I came to your place straight after the school and your mom said you should be in school. But you weren't, then she said you might be with Gabriel. I went there too but the housekeeper said that you both left early morning. His phone was off too. Do you know what time is it? It's twelve o'clock.

I called each one of your friends. They didn't know where you were either. We all waited. Your dad even called the police but they told him to wait for some more time. We did. Calling you and Gabriel again and again. Cursing, crying, worrying. Those hours were hell. Then your dad recieved a call from the police station. We didn't know what they said, your dad just took off. We all thought something bad happened to you. My heart was beating like anything." Chris stops when tears flow down his cheeks again.

I am feeling so guilty right now. So filthy. Because of me, all of them went through hell. My knees give up and I fall on the ground, weeping.

"I'm sorry Chris. I'm.. I'm so sorry. I'm such an idiot."

Chris kneels down in front of me and wraps his arms around me. "I shouldn't have shouted at you like that." He rubs my back.

"No you should've. I screw up everytime and no one says anything so I think it's okay but now I realise it's not." I say as I look up in his eyes. Then I sneeze. "Excuse me."

Chris smiles. "Aura was right. You are freezing. Let's go inside."

We go inside and up to my room. I change into warmer clothes. Chris shoves a thermometer in my mouth when I sit back down. I don't protest. It's good to know that someone cares so much.

"As expected. You have caught a fever." He says as he examines the thermometer.

Like a child Chris then tucks me in the bed. His gaze then falls on my now bruised jaw.

"He did this?" He asks. I nod. "I'll fucking kill him." He grunts.

My eyes widen, then I smirk. "You cussed. My Chris cusses."

"My Chris?" Now he smirks.

"Out of all the things I said, this is what you catch?" He nods. "Now let me sleep." I say and close my eyes.

"Goodnight Katherine." He says as he switches off the light.

Next day

I feel someone stroking my hairs. My eyes open and I see Chris's jade green eyes. He smiles a heart melting smile at me. I smile back.

"Goodmorning Katherine." He says.

"How come you are here? What about school?" I ask. I sit up, leaning against the backrest.

"Can't leave you like this. Plus school gets boring without you in it." He helps me sit up and hands me some pills with a glass of water. I gulp down the medicine. "And I have orders from higher authorities to make you study."

"Who is this higher authorities exactly?" I ask.

"Your mom and dad."

"K. Exams are nearing anyways."

"I've made a timetable for you. It's to be followed, not to be thrown in some trash can okay?"

I chuckle. "I'll try."