Out of the Ordinary

Chapter 11: The Back-up Plan

The next morning, I didn't leave my room until nine o'clock. I went down stairs for my usual morning breakfast, and I already found some pancakes on my plate, a glass of milk, and a note card. I didn't need to guess who it was from.

"Good morning, Kaley," Mom said. "Did you have fun with Dean yesterday? He told me how much fun he had with you. Isn't that right, Dean?"

"Yeah," I heard his voice from the family room. He was plopped on the couch watching some football game. He turned to look at me, and winked. I shivered and looked away.

"Yeah, sure," I said, trying to sound excited. "We had lots of fun. Can't wait to do it again."

Oh, my God! Did I just say that?

"Great," squealed Mom. "See, I knew you would get along with Dean. Aren't you happy?"

No!

"Sure, real happy," I said sarcastically. I waved at Dean just to show Mom how much I like him, but I really don't.

It seems like Mom doesn't know about how I ditch Dean at the café after he harassed me for evidence. Looks like Dean is playing it easy for me. Fine, if he wanted to play around, bring on the next level. I ain't giving up without a fight.

As I was eating my pancakes, Mom said, "By the way, Dean was nice enough to make you pancakes. Isn't that wonderful? I told him he shouldn't go through the trouble, but he insisted."

I wanted to throw up after she told me that. But I swallowed it, and smiled falsely. Maybe after I eat, I can quickly go to the bathroom and quietly throw it up.

Dean's note was sitting next to my glass of milk. I didn't want to read it, if it was a harassing note. But I unfold it, and read it anyway. It said:

"Dear Kaley,

Thank you so much for your company. I enjoyed our quality time together. Next time, we can do it again, and we can get to know each other a little more. I would like to know more about you."

I got even sicker after I read that note. Why did I even bother reading it? I crumbled it up, and toss it into the garbage. I went up to my room, locked my door, and called Amy.

"Hey, Kaley. What's up?" Amy asked.

"Not too good," I groaned.

"Oh, let me guess, that government agent guy has been bothering you again?" she asked.

"No, duh," I told her about yesterday's hang out with Dean, and what had happened when we were at the café.

"Wow," gasped Amy. "Unbelievable! He has gone too far this time. Didn't you tell your mom?"

"She wouldn't believe me!" I almost screamed. "I keep telling her, but she wouldn't believe me. It's like she's under a spell or something. He's, like, harassing me for answers and she doesn't see it. It's just not fair!"

I was close to tears now. I felt a little water coming from my eyes, but I swallowed them back.

"Just calm down, Kaley," Amy said. "I'm sure we can think of something to do."

"Like what?!" I snapped. "Jump off a building? Slice my wrists? Suspend from the top of Mount Everest until vultures feed off my flesh?!"

"Uh, let's not be suicidal here. We should have, like, a back-up plan or something."

I never thought about an emergency back-up plan. That would be a great idea. Amy was always prepared than I was.

"That's a great idea, Amy," I said, feeling much better. "I never thought about that. But what can we do to protect Dainu from Dean?"