The Angel's Calling

Chapter 8

The school day went by like a blur by the time I was in my last lecture. Sometimes I felt like hadn't even gotten enough sleep to have energy all the time.. well at least for all that had happened recently. Me and Jessica had visited a local cafe earlier to get something to eat and we had talked about her and Eric as well. I did hope they will end up having something serious.

LATER

I was waiting outside of school for about 15 minutes when finally Peyton arrived in his black car. Peyton parked in front of me and I entered the car.

Me: Finally! What took you so long?

Peyton: I have a tight schedule. Driving you around between home and school.. well training wasn't my plan for this year.

Me: whatever. Let's go!

Peyton shrugged and hit the gas to drive away from the spot. While driving, I saw him being calm like earlier. Was this an act or was he cool with this? Even tho he didn't ask for it...

Me: Hey, you okay?

Peyton looked at me for a second but then turned his head back to the road.

Peyton: why wouldn't I be?

Me: you seem a bit upset. Did something happen?

Peyton shifted in his seat a bit. I could sense he was about to talk about it but then he closed his eyes.

Peyton: I don't see how this is any of your business?

Me: excuse me for being polite. I mean whatever. You don't have to share anything.

Peyton: I'm sorry. This is a temporary mood at the moment.

Me: Want to talk about it? I mean, you were in a pretty good mood compared to now.

Peyton: no. I'm your bodyguard, not your patient.

I narrowed my eyes. Was he serious? What doctor can even one student be?  Of course, I didn't listen to his first rejection but that was because of my empathy. I crossed my arms on my chest and looked out of the window.

I could sense his eyes on me a few times while we drove back. I was hating the idea that this was a new normal. When we made it back to my house, I just stepped out of the car and closed the door without any word. He opened the window.

Peyton: I'll see you tomorrow

I waved him off and entered the house. I took off my shoes and went to my room. I wasn't tired or hungry and in no mood to study, I just sat down on my bed.

I was there probably a while, cause the next moment I heard the front door opening and father calling me downstairs. I sighed in relief and went downstairs. He was a good distraction.

Dad: hey kiddo! How was your first day?

Except him saying that...

Me: hey dad!

I smiled and left him alone in the living room. He followed.

Dad: well?

I sighed behind the table.

Me: it takes time to get used to this plan.

Dad: of course. Am I right to assume that the intern was not the brightest idea as well?

I thought back to the day overall. I made it school on time and he did pick me up - as he promised.

Me: he actually wasn't. He got his job done but I was pointing more towards his personality.

Dad: did he say something to you? I swear..

Me: chill, he was okay. I just hoped for a friendlier approach

Dad walked next to me and put his hand on my shoulder for comfort.

Dad: he's a future officer. Right now he's just a kid under much pressure.

I looked at him

Dad: Remember me in that office? I partly tried to save him from this. I don't know the job of a policeman but it can be scary and deadly.

I sighed.

Me: true. But what should I do then? I don't know how long this will last but I do want to have a friend by my side, not a stranger.

My dad looked at me and a smile grew on his face.

Dad: just like your mother. Look, my best advice would be to just be there and do what he says.

Me: even if he acts like some type of a douche?

My father laughed.

Dad: I don't know what you mean by "douche" but you shouldn't still ignore who he is and why he's here.

Me: sometimes the problem exists only between those alone. He's young, why would someone put his life in danger?

Dad: I think that's between the policemen. Then again, Mr. Harrington signed him for you. You can ask any time.

Me: should I?

Dad looked at me with a confused look.

Dad: I mean he did say everything he needed back in his office. Then again, if Peyton isn't the one to do it, maybe Matt can resign someone else.

I looked away from him, taking every word into consideration. To be honest, Peyton seemed just moody and that's why I brought it up with dad. The thing was that I just wanted to get along with him at the end of the day.

Suddenly I remembered that at the beginning of the day, he seemed quite fun and he even teased me if I read into them correctly. The problem started when he came after school to pick me up. Was there anything I said?

I nodded with a little smile and ran back upstairs. Dad started to make dinner. I closed the door and looked at my phone. I wanted to write to him so badly but I decided not to. I was supposed to see him tomorrow anyway.

That night I went to sleep, thinking about my father's advice. Maybe he was right? I mean they're both males. There was a gap between their ages for sure but as they say "age is just a number" and I needed to focus on my stuff too. Making friends might have been part of this automatically but I wasn't going to push it either.