Counting Stars

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - SERENA

Dedicated to Emerald605 RehamAbdalla WaveyyJean zahramiah my best friends who I just can't live without. Love you guys, and miss you loads. I'll be thinking of you on the train.

Love, Mel

She wasn't really my pet.

More of a stray cat I had taken to feeding every day and playing with as I did my chores.

But she was mine, nonetheless.

And I had completely forgotten about her.

Who would feed her when she turned up at the back door, waiting for food?

Certainly not Janet, that's for sure.

Agatha would chase her away with a broomstick.

She would think I didn't love her any more...and I definitely couldn't let that happen. The one thing in my life that I actually cared about could not think I abandoned her.

"You have to take me back!"

I spun on Mr Robber Guy, startling him.

He raised an eyebrow.

"How about...no."

I advanced on him frantically.

"No! You don't understand! Serena! I have to go find her!"

His eyebrows furrowed.

"Serena? Who's that? Your sister or something?"

I stared at him flatly.

"No, idiot. She's my-"

Mr Robber Guy leaned back suddenly, making me sigh in relief as I started to think clearly again.

He strode over to the door and pulled it open.

And three boys tumbled into the room. Puck, Labrador and Mr Cocky Pants lay in a messy heap on the floor, groaning and muttering curse words.

"Fuck," mumbled Mr Cocky Pants under his breath.

They scrambled to their feet and stood there nervously, looking at Mr Robber Guy.

Just as he opened his mouth, Puck and Labrador spun round.

"It was his idea!" They said in sync, pointing at each other.

Mr Cocky Pants nodded and slowly started tiptoeing backwards towards the open doorway.

"What they said. So I'm just gonna...go now." He turned and darted for into the hallway, leaving the two other boys gaping at the door.

"Actually, I remember now," Labrador said, locking eyes with Puck.

"It was Warren who told us to eavesdrop on you guys!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Puck nodded enthusiastically. "It's his fault!"

I rolled my eyes at their childish behaviour.

"Whatever," I announced.

"I've got better things to do other than sit around here and listen to you morons."

I made my way towards the door, praying that Mr Robber Guy was too distracted by their argument to notice.

Unfortunately, he was suddenly behind me gripping my arms and steering me back into his room.

"Get some sleep," he said, shoving me inside.

He glared at the boys and they glanced at each other before following him out of the room.

The door closed with a click before I had the chance to say anything, and I heard the distinctive sound of a lock sliding into place. Please. Did he think a silly thing like a lock would stop me?

I rubbed my arms from where he had squeezed them tightly, glaring at the door.

I would kick his ass first when I escaped.

And I would savour every moment.