Kiss Me Not

Surprise

Chapter 2

For the past few days I busied myself arranging the apartment. It wasn't as much a past time but it prevented me from thinking of depressing thoughts. I transformed the empty space into a welcoming and lively place-fixated on the small things that really did not matter.

School already started, but surprisingly my mom didn't force me to go. She might have noticed that I was still adjusting to our new way of life, and she was more than happy to give the allowance of a week. However by the middle of the week, she clearly saw that I wasn't doing anything to improve my well being. Noticing the lack of initiative on my side, she swats the duster out of my hand and kicked me out.

"You should go out Hun, at least breathe some fresh air," she frowns me, wrinkles formed around her green eyes. Her light brown wavey hair-which I inherited- carefully don in a tight ponytail, like she would do with mine when I was younger.

"Fine." I respond, and went up the stairs into my room where a veranda was located.

"Well you're getting dressed, that's good" she yells over her shoulder as she settle down the old leather couch that smelled of mild tobacco.

"The veranda beside my room. I could breathe the fresh air like you wanted me to do" I say impatiently, then my mom starts laughing- her face bathed with glorious youthful glow.

This is a real laugh that I thought I had lost for all eternity. It echoes throughout the small space making the place look more vibrant and alive. For months, she could hardly do anything, and I'm the one who comforted her. 

My mother is stronger than I give her credit for. Why didn't I inherit that instead.

"You are silly as ever, Emily. What I meant was you should go outside and enjoy the sun. I've been out and the neighbors are nice people. The area isn't as dangerous as I had thought.." She adds absentmindedly again as she takes interest to the television.

I contemplate, shortly deciding that a bit of sun could not hurt, "Okay then. Let me get change, then I'll leave you with the house." I give her a meaningful look like a mother who's telling her child 'don't do anything stupid while I'm out.' As much as I love my mother, she's a carefree scatter brain sometimes.

I trudge to my room, picking up a simple outfit was not much of a task. I wear skinny jeans and a white v-neck shirt, together with a black converse. I was never that chic girl in the mall; I mainly choose clothes for comfort fit.

Before leaving the house, I make sure my mom knows the important emergency local hotlines. She doesn't even pay attention and just shoos me off when I got louder.

The moment I step out, I regretted my decision.The sun is impossibly hot and the air is stale and dank. I already feel clammy a couple of minutes after getting out. But being the good child I am, I move along dragging my feet gravel ground to the cobble path.

Looking back at our new home, every apartment is identical to each other-having a small veranda on the upper floor, which were only separated by a thin cement walls. It looks like a shady neighborhood but everyone is rather nice-that is, according to my mom.

I press on my journey avoiding the tempting feeling of running back under the safety of our home.

The complex is located near the bus stop which made it really easy for me. I jump in, the moment a bus yields to a stop-I did not care where it is going as long as there was air conditioning inside. My mom said to stroll around, and left specificity manner to which I to do it.

The cool air blasts on my face-temporarily alleviating my irritation of the sun. When I looked around, everybody seemed get the same idea that I had. Every seat was filled except one two sitter at the back. I made my way down there, barely caring at anyone who bothered giving me a glance. I sat comfortably there and wooziness kicked in in my eyes, and moments later, I fell asleep- gladly exchanging reality into my dream world.

I wake up to the sound of mild coughing. When my eyes flutter open, I'm sure as heck wasn't nuzzling a soft bunny like the one in my dream but rather someone's neck. Straightening up, blood rushes up to my cheek, and I'm hell bent on getting out of the bus. I glance at the stranger who is in shock-his gray eyes are filled with amusement.

He is handsome, I have to admit. With his sun kissed skin, his hair cropped short and those strong set of jaws and I can tell that underneath his muscles are well toned. I didn't have the time to admire appreciate him more, noticing that I am trapped in between him and the glass window.

My spidy senses tingles and I consider jumping off the window, but realizing that I haven't been bitten by any radioactive spider, I calculate that survival is slim to none. So instead, I hurry pass him and ring the bus to stop, I'm not even sure sure how long I've been asleep or how long was I kissing that guys neck, but no one else was on the bus except us. The bus finally yields into a stop and I'm more than happy to get off.

I watch as the bus went on, the boy looks at me through the window, his piercing gray eyes penetrating through me. He's wearing this crooked smirk, like I meant to kiss his neck on purpose. 

I curse my indulgent self for enjoying what seems now, a troublesome ride.

The sun is almost at the bay of the horizon, creating the wonderful pallet of pastel pink, orange and yellow. I can't help but get distracted as I have no clue where I am. Feeling very incompetent about my sense of direction- I sigh in defeat then fish my phone off my pocket and start dialing my mom's number. After two distinct rings a familiar voice picks up.

"Emily, where are you? Are you being held against your will? Are you okay?" My mom voices her concerns making me chuckle at her wild imagination.

"Look, I'm fine and not being held against my will. I'm completely lost however. Can you come get me?"

"Why don't I do you something better and let your friend pick you up?" She chimes sweetly, so sugary it made me nervous.

"What are you talking about?" there's a little shuffling sound before another familiar gruff voice answers my question.

"Hello Emily I'm home."