The Boy Next Door

Prologue - Fourteen Years Old

My heart pounded fast in my chest. I didn't know what to expect. I was fourteen. Running on adrenaline. I was getting hammered by the minutes. Friends were not very nice. They forced the drinks in my hand one by one. I knew that things were changing fast for me. My twin brother would kill me right now if he knew I was out here getting drunk with people I barely knew, and older at that.

"Emmmmmma!" He screamed hanging on the M sound. "Get that fucking drink in you!"

I knew this night was going to be the death of me. I also knew that my life was forever changing as I was entering into high school soon. I was two days away from going into ninth grade. I was confused and scared. And I did not know what was going to happen for us. And by us I meant my twin brother Eli and our friend group. I met this girl nearly two weeks ago and she was already bringing me around her friend group. They were bad news. It scared me. I think it was time to go home... I got up to walk away from the friend group, but they insisted I stayed.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" One called out to me.

"Sorry I need to use the bathroom." I stammered my words, "Is that okay with you?"

He nodded his head. I stumbled to get up and headed for the hallway. We were in a small apartment that belong to one of these guys we were hanging out with. I grabbed my cellphone out of my back pocket of my short shorts and dialed my brother's number. He did not pick up. So, I decided to call the neighbour I ever so hated. Cameron. We socialized with the same people. So, we saw each other quite often, not to mention he was at our house very much. And vice versa. He didn't pick up at first probably because he was busy or didn't want to hear from me, but I was desperate. I dialed his number again. Finally, he picked up.

"Hello?" He sounded like he was asleep.

"Cameron, I need your help, desperately." I whispered into my phone hoping no one would hear me.

"What's wrong?" He questioned surprisingly fast. "And are you drunk?"

I nodded my head. I knew he couldn't see me. But my eyes were filling with tears. I felt them swell from the inside as I tried not to let them escape, but I couldn't stop them in time.

"I am drunk. And they won't let me leave. They've given so much alcohol to me. I can't see straight Cam..." I explained.

I haven't called him Cam since the night we kissed. A year ago, we shared our first kiss together, we were best friends along with Eli. But then after that kiss things changed for us, we both were hitting puberty and our lives changed drastically after that night. We haven't told anyone that we kissed each other, not even my brother Eli...but we were close one time. Now? Not so much and it pained me we aren't like this anymore.

"Please Cam. I really need someone to come get me." I begged. "I don't want to be here anymore. I am worried something bad is going to happen and I won't be able to leave..."

"Okay Em...I am on my way...text me the address and I'll be there for you. I'll always be there for you." He admitted over the phone in a low tone.

I thanked him so much before we hung up. I knew he was smiling on the other end of the line. I was also smiling that he was going to come rescue me. It was late. Extremely late and I am not sure how he's going to get here. I am on the other end of town. It's at least a twenty-five-minute walk from our street. I texted him the address. Told him the apartment number. And hoped he was going to be here soon...I prayed. I left the washroom and flushed the toilet. I washed my hands. And finally met with everyone in the living room. The music had got louder, people were dancing, and the lights were half on, half off. I looked at everyone as they were all lounged out on the couches. Weed was floating around the room. The blunt landed on me and I declined their offer. One guy came over and shoved it in my mouth.