Changing Directions

Chapter 3

"Who does he think he is? He doesn't deserve anything from me. In fact, I could care less if I saw him again. Ugh. The nerve of some people." I started mumbling to myself as I walked out the front door of the school.

'Hey I went home early. Cover for me if they ask where I am.' I sent a text to El.

'Kk. Why did you leave?'

'Not feeling well. :(' I replied back and closed my phone. 

As I hopped into my car, I threw my bag in the passenger seat and started up the engine angrily. Without a slow start, I backed out of the parking space. But, stupid me didn't check my rear view mirrors and I hit something.

"Ouch." or someone.

"Why me?" I dramatically said as I quickly hurried to who was unfortunate enough to get hit by me. I didn't recognize him from anywhere.

"I am so sorry. Can I get you anything? Or better yet let me drive you home?" I asked, helping him to his feet. 

"Thanks." he said, looking into my eyes. I adverted mine and introduced myself.

"I'm Sara." I extended my hand.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is pr- Eric. Eric Childing." He shook my hand firmly.

"Hop in and tell me where you headed." I moved my bag to the back of the jeep and started the engine as he moved in. 

"Make a right out of this parking lot." He instructed.

"Gotcha."

"And at the signal light, turn left." His accent sounded perfect. It fit him.

"Okay. If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"

"Why do you ask?" He asked defensively.

"Because of your accent." I asked.

"I hail from England." he spoke formally. Yet, from the looks of him, he looked around my age.

"How old are you?" I asked, making the left.

"On the third street, make a right. I'm sixteen years of age."

"Okay dude. I'm sorry, but why are you talking so formal?"

"This is how I usually speak." He answered in shock.

"Okay." I answered, making the right. Then it hit me, this guy lives in the same neighborhood as me. 

"It will be address 1325. Oh right here." He pointed straight at my house. I parked the car and looked at him angrily.

"How did you know I live here?" I asked suspiciously.

"Oh, Eric. It looks as if you have met my daughter, Sara. Please, come in." My dad greeted him and lead him into the house. I quickly followed behind, still curious about the whole situation.

"And right here is your bedroom. Right next to Sara. You two will be sharing her bathroom." My dad gestured to the rooms connected by one bathroom.

"Uh Dad? A word?" I pulled him aside while Eric started unpacking in the guest room. "Care to explain?" I harshly whispered.

"Honey, its a business thing. If you're not okay with it, I totally understand." He said, giving me his puppy dog look.

"Ugh. Fine. But what about my auditions?" I asked. I am auditioning for X Factor in three months, in England. If I make it, then I go to England for boot camp and hopefully live shows. That's if I get in. And I have only let my dad, Phebe, and El hear me sing and they are the ones who have been encouraging me to tryout because they're almost certain i'm going to make it to live shows.

"Don't worry. Eric will be gone in two months tops. He's a prince from Beligum and his kingdom was having a few threats so just to be safe, he is staying here until the threats go away."

"Pinkie promise?" I asked, extending my pinkie toward him.

"Pinkie promise. But you have to be nice."

"Deal." We shook pinkies.

"Now go and be nice." He told me sternly.

"Ugh." I stomped my way toward Eric's new room. He was laying on his bed.

"Um. Why aren't you unpacking?" I asked, pointing to his full luggage.

"The help usually does it for me." He said shrugging it off and turned on the television.

"Well, the help." I said, grabbing the remote and turning off the television. "Is no longer at your service for two months. Do your own unpacking rich kid." I said, sliding his luggage toward him.

"No." he said, sitting up from his resting position.

"Be nice Sara." I heard my dad call out from the living room.

"Fine. I'll help you this time, but expect to do your own things from now on." I said, stuffing his clothes in the dresser drawers.

"I need my clothes folding nicely. Not tossed in their like your clothes."

"Fine, snob. I'll do it right." I said, throwing back on the bed and refolding them.

Yeah, it took me forty five minutes to refold and stack all of his things.