Crystal's Saviour

12

"Hey." I looked up from my phone and saw Crystal walking towards me. "Hey." I smiled at her.

We had to work on our history presentation and so I asked Crystal in the history period if she wanted to come to my place. It took her some time to think but at last she nodded.

In the history period Crystal didn't speak much. I mean she never spoke much but today she didn't speak at all. She was lost in the book and she didn't pay attention to me or to the teacher infront. She kept on doodling in her book and whenever I tried to make a conversation she just nodded or shrugged.

"Let's go?" I said and she nodded. I opened the passenger door for her and she sat in.

"Oh shit." I heard her after about 5 minutes of our drive. "What's wrong?" I looked at her from the road. She was rummaging through her bag as her eyebrows creased.

"I forgot my notes at home." She looked at me. "Do you have your notes with you?" She asked.

"No. I don't even have notes. I share Cameron's" I chucked.

"Do you want me to drive you home so you can get them?" I asked her, my eyes flickering from the road to her.

She thought for a while. She was silent as she thought if it was a good idea to let me know her address. "Alright." She said and my face turned towards her. She chewed her bottom lip in nervousness.

She didn't want me to know where her house was some days ago but now she was starting to trust me slowly and it was good to know.

I nodded my head and she gave me the address. Soon after 10 minutes I parked my car in front of a house. "Wait here I'll be back." She said and I nodded my head. She reached for the lock when her hand froze and she turned towards me.

"Aiden, I'm sorry I can't invite you in it's..." She wanted to continues but her eyes said it all. She didn't want anyone to see me.

"It's okay, Crystal. I'll wait here." I smiled at her and she relaxed. She exited the car and ran towards the house.

The house was...untreated. The grass in the front yard was uneven. The roof was full of dust and a little broken. It looked like no one has renovated it since a long time.

While I was busy looking around the front of the house, Crystal exited the house. "Alright. Let's go." She breathed out.

I started the engine and drove out of the block. I was still confused about the appearance of the house but I didn't mention it or anything. She kept on glancing at me from time to time, probably wondering why I haven't asked her anything about that place.

****
"Aiden, is that you?" I heard mom's voice coming from the kitchen. "Yeah, mom." I said while walking towards the living room.

"This place is beautiful." Crystal looked around and smiled.

"And who is this beautiful lady?" Mom emerged from the kitchen and looked at Crystal.

"Hey. I'm Crystal." Crystal extended her hand and mom shook with a wide smile.

"Mom, this is Crystal. She's a friend and we both are working on a presentation together. And Crystal this is my mom." I introduced both the women.

"It's so nice to see you, Crystal."

"Same here." Crystal smiled genuinely.

"We'll be in my room, mom." I told mom and she nodded. I gestured for Crystal to follow me and she nodded, holding onto the strap of her bag.

I opened the door to my room and stood aside, giving enough space for Crystal to enter.

"Do you want something? Any drink?" I asked as she took a seat at the corner of the bed.

"No, I'm good. Thank you."

We started working on the presentation. I sat across from her on the bed and we both got to work. I felt a sence of deja vu when I saw her looking down at the paper with concentration. That day at Bob's, she had the same concentration on her face as she worked on the presentation.

Her face scrunched a little everytime she couldn't understand something. Strands of hair fell on her face and she pushed them away, annoyed. She was totally beautiful.

A knock on the door broke my train of thoughts. "Come in." I said.

Mom entered with a tray of cookies in her hand. "Mom, thank you soo much for this!" I smiled whole looking at the plate.

"They're not all for you." Mom said, staring at me. " These are for the friend of yours. Crystal, you know you're the first friend he has brought home other than Cameron and I'm happy to see you."

She shyly smiled and thanked mom for the cookies. "Do you guys need anything else?" Mom asked.

"No, thankyou." We both said in unison and got back to work when mom left.