A lost slumber

VII

My alarm clock rings and it's 6:00 am . As per usual , I drag myself out of bed at 6:30 .

I go to school alone today. Ezme decided she'd drive to school today alone . It concerns me since I don't know who is trying to kidnap her . But it's just a short drive from her house to the school , so I figure she'll be fine .

Apparently Renzo and Ezme talked during her shift yesterday . They want to meet up later for the project . They just haven't decided on whose house to go to . That's where I come in . They wanted to ask me , and I'm not too keen on them coming over . But my home is my safe haven , and I want to keep Ezme safe , so I agree .

Ezme walks with me to 3rd period and she can't stop thanking me . Finally I jokingly tell her , " If you don't stop thanking me , my doors will no longer be open."

" Okay, okay," Ezme says sheepishly .

" Good," I say. " Now can we get to class?"

" Yeah, Okay." Ezme says with defeat in her voice .

I notice Reece lurking around and I say, " One more thing."

" Yes?" Ezme asks.

" That's Reece." I say pointing to a lean , awkward teenage boy with curly hair and glasses.

" Oh," Ezme says.

" How well do you know him?" I ask with a tone of suspicion.

" I barely know him." Ezme says.

" That's weird ," I say. Ezme shrugs it off and walks to class.

3rd period was the only time I got to see Ezme because any other time she was with Renzo. I can't blame her though , she does like him . Lexie wasn't clinging to Renzo like she usually does. I guess she has a problem with Renzo being around Ezme . Maybe that is just my observation , maybe I'm overthinking it .

When school is over , Ezme tells me , " I'll meet up with you at your house."

" Okay," I tell her nonchalantly . " Make sure you guide the others to my house."

" I won't be with them," Ezme says with her voice lowering.

" Of course you won't," I say cheekily.

" What's that supposed to mean?" Ezme says with suspicion.

" It means you'll be with Renzo~" I say in a sing-song voice . Ezme gets flustered and starts blushing. She doesn't say anything and just walks away.

When I get home , my mom and dad aren't there. I would expect them to be here since I told them that I had company. I begin to set up the house , and my phone goes off. I get a message saying : 'Dad and I are going out tonight . Sending money. Have fun.' I'm not shocked that they are going out since they go out all the time. I tell her okay and tell her to enjoy herself. I continue getting the house together since everyone is supposed to be here by 5:30 pm and it's 4:30 pm.

After 30 minutes , everything is ready. I sit on the couch and I begin to think. The house is empty and I never really realized how empty it is . Even if I am not at home , my parents . The house is always being occupied . But this is the first time I realize that without us , the house is empty . The only thing that fills this house is materialistic things. It's sad, and it doesn't offer any comfort.

The doorbell rings and I snap out of it . I walk to the door , open it  , and say , " Hello." The person I see at the door is Lexie.

She smiles and says , " Hello!"

" Where is Ezme and Renzo?" I ask.

" Oh Renzo told me that he'd go with Ezme," Lexie says nonchalantly. " He let me take his car."