Crossing Paths

Chapter 5

"You're impossible to get rid of." He spoke first, a hard edge to his words. 

I stammered over myself for a couple of seconds before I finally found the right words to say. "I'm sorry. This-this isn't what it looks like." I could feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "I swear I'm not stalking you." 

He leaned casually up against the door frame and gave me a quick once-over. Based off of the look in his eyes, he didn't seem very impressed. 

"So then what are you doing here?" 

"Um... do you live here?" I blurted out, clutching the brownies so hard that my knuckles turned white. There was something about this guy that unnerved me, but I could't figure it out. Something other than the fact that he was a major jerk. 

He looked at me like I was an idiot. "Why else would I be here?" 

"I don't know..." I trailed off sheepishly, not sure what else to say. This guy really sucked at carrying conversations. 

He sighed deeply and crossed his arms over his chest. "It's only temporary." 

For the first time since we met, he didn't rudely short answer me. Taking it as progress, I decided to try and keep talking. Maybe if I was nice enough, he would eventually lighten up. The dude obviously needed a little happiness in his life. 

"Tempor-" As if a light bulb went off in my head, it finally dawned on me. "You're the Blake's new foster son!" 

"Wow." He drawled sarcastically. He slowly shook his head in amazement. "Nothing get's past you, does it?" 

At first, I was too excited to be put out by his terrible social skills. I had finally found someone that would be perfect for my psychology paper. The only problem? There was no way on earth I was ever going to convince him to let me pry into his private life. He still had yet to tell me his name. I practically felt myself deflate as I came to terms with reality. I looked down dejectedly at the plate in my hands and remembered the whole reason I was there in the first place. 

"I guess not. Is Mrs. Blake here?" 

"No." He answered abruptly. "Sorry. Bye." He took a quick step backwards and started to close the door.

"Wait!" I protested, sticking a hand out to stop him. "At least take these brownies. My mom made them for you guys." 

He looked back and forth between me and the brownies for a little bit before he finally reached out and took them from me. I expected him to say thanks or something, but he didn't say anything. 

"When Marian gets home, you can tell her they're from Lauren Tate. We're family friends with the Blake's. My mom just wanted to do something nice for them." 

"Great." He replied with no enthusiasm. "Can I close the door now?" 

"Yeah." I took a step backwards and chuckled sheepishly under my breath. "Sorry for bothering you." 

I started to walk away, but I decided at the last second to turn back around. 

"By the way, what's your-" 

My words were cut off by the slamming of the door. 

"Name." I finished lamely. If I didn't feel unwanted before, the literal slammed door in my face was definitely a sign. 

<------> 

"You are unbelievable." Jeremiah announced, watching me as I walked into the living room. I ignored his comment and dropped down on the couch beside him. 

"Just let it go, Jeremiah." I said, reaching over to grab the remote off the coffee table. My brother beat me to it, turning the channel to some cop show.