I Hunt Monsters

Chapter 8

I straightaway headed to my bedroom when I got home. Luckily, Aunt Leonora nor Uncle Frank doesn't seem to notice me when I arrived or else, I would be subjected to a series of annoying questions.

I flopped down my bed not even bothering to change clothes or remove my shoes, even my school backpack was still slung on my back.

I can't take my mind from the things that transpired back there with Louise. I shouldn't have let my anger take the better of me. I felt guilty when recalling her tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

At that time, I was mesmerized at her. My chest suddenly pounded fast, it beats in a fast rhythm. It felt like my chest was about to burst open, it is strange since I only felt like that when I'm feeling nervous.

A call suddenly broke my thoughts, "Honey, dinners ready. Get down here now." Aunt Leonora's voice emanated from the kitchen.

"I'm not hungry!" I replied.

"Of course you're hungry, now get yourself down here before the food gets cold," Aunt Leonora said, she didn't buy what I said.

"Alright, I'm coming!" I replied, quickly getting up to change clothes before going down to the dining room.

I know better than to make her angry, she doesn't like it when you didn't appear in front of the table during the time of dinner.

I climb down the staircase to the dining room. I could already smell the aroma of the food. It was veggies.

Uncle Frank is already seated on his usual chair, he is, as usual reading his favorite crime novel.

Aunt Leonora was busy filling our plates with food.

I seated myself and waited for Aunt Leonora to finish. I stared at my plate, still thinking about Louise.

Uncle puts down the book he was reading and put his elbows on the edge of the table. Aunt uttered a prayer before saying, "Let's eat."

I was still preoccupied with the things that happened this afternoon and I haven't heard what Aunt said.

"My, my… is there something bothering you, honey?" Aunt Leonora asked.

It was then that I only heard her, I noticed that she was concerned.

"It's nothing, it's just that I can't stop thinking of Louise…erm…I mean what happened this afternoon" I said.

"Oh, tell us, what happened?" Aunt Leonora beamed a smile.

Uncle Frank stopped chewing his food and he seems to be also interested as he turned to look at me.

Placed in a hot seat, I have no choice but to tell them what happened this afternoon.

"…and that's what happened." I narrated the whole story, from how I ended up doing a cleaning job for Louise and to how she ended up crying. Well, of course, I didn't tell them the fact that I stoned her house the other day, I left all the details about me joining the mob that threw stones to her house.

"Aunt, do you think I overreacted?" I asked.

Uncle Frank chuckled after hearing my question.

"No honey, I didn't think you overreacted. But I think you've fallen in love with Louise!" Aunt Leonora giggled.

"Aunt! Seriously?! I was just a fifteen-year-old kid. Good gracious! I'm only concerned about her." I argued, my face darkening.

"If you're not in love, then why are you red all over. Your face is even redder than a ripe tomato from blushing!" Aunt Leonora teased me while poking my ribs.

She knew I was easily tickled in my ribs. Even Uncle Frank joined in poking my ribs.

I was trying hard to hold back my laughter that tears even started to form in the corner of my eyes. I can't hold back anymore and released a laugh of resignation.

"Alright! Alright! I saw her pretty and I found myself attracted to her! Please stop tickling me!" I blurted.

"See, you're in love! Aunt said to me.

"Look who's grown up now, he even knew how to fall in love now," Uncle Frank said, he winked at me.

"Uh…why don't we eat, the food is getting cold," I said to change the topic.

I picked my food and shoved it inside my mouth. I eat in large mouthfuls that I managed to finish my food in just a few bites. I drank a mouthful of water and rushed out of the kitchen running towards my room.

The laughter of Aunt Leonora and Uncle Frank rung behind filling the entire house with laughter.

I'm totally embarrassed, I shouldn't have told them! Now I'm the center of their jokes.

I flopped straight to my bed face-front. It's hard to fall asleep. I tossed and turned around for a long while before falling asleep.

…

The sun inched over the horizon, sending waves of orange light across the still-dark sky.

I woke up still feeling drowsy as I didn't get a good sleep last night.

I climbed downstairs to get ready for school but was surprised to see a familiar face.

It was Louise!

She was there on the sofa wearing a familiar wicked smile.

I nearly jumped in surprise when I saw her.

*What is she doing here this early?!*

"Sleepyhead, you ready for school?!" The words left her mouth with just the right tone to send a chill down my spine.