~~ Ocean Of Lies ~~

Chapter 7 ~ It's not your fault

I lose no time in darting across town to head back to the apartment as quickly as possible. What a tiring day I sigh. First was the whole ordeal with Nick then I had calculus which was a nightmare. The teacher kept going on and on which increased my headache enormously that by the end of second period all I wanted to do was to get to the house and sleep.

However, that was not possible due to the promise I made to my parents 5 years ago. One that entails that I be "Respectful, obedient and brilliant academically". Right now all I want to do is get to my room, freshen up, change into my PJs and sleep in my, warm, inviting bed. Alas, it is not possible as I have to tutor a certain boy.

I reach the complex in record time! It only took me 3 minutes. I dash up the creaky stairs up to the apartment. I stand in front of the door ready to pull open the handle when I notice that it is already open. Knowing that she would not be home this early, I start worrying. Did someone break in? Are they still in there? should I call the police? I ask myself. No! screams my subconscious. They won't do anything because they won't bother showing up!

Mustering all the courage I have left, I grab a piece of wood lying around the hall and slowly open the door to see...no one. Well that was close... I check each and every room in the house and once I'm sure there is no one and that she most probably only forgot to close the door, I grab an apple.

I dart to the laundry room and take the mop and the mop bucket. Determined to finish cleaning up the house before he arrives, I start sweeping the floor and from time to time pick up clothing and put them in the laundry basket. Once the apartment is spot clean, I put all my equipment back in their places and go shower in order to change into my favorite red comfy sweatpants and white tee.

Ah! so nice I say to myself. I check the time on my phone and see that it is already 5PM and I have received a message. I click on it 'Send me ur address smarty pants' it reads and thus I send him by address. in fifteen minutes he has already arrived and I open the door to see him dressed in white sweatpants and a red T-shirt that sticks to him like a second skin and out lines his well defines abs that make most girls swoon. Key word: Most... Not all. Specially not me...

I let him in and he comments on our outfits "Hey, we match!" "We do" I reply shyly. "Shall we start?" I ask in an attempt to change the subject. "Sure, where to?" he complies. "My room" I say. We walk next to each other and I show him the way to my room using my hands as a pointer.

"Wow...it's so...white." says Nick as soon as he steps foot into my safe haven. "I like it this way... simple, easy to keep tidy." I say in defense. "Sure is tidy" he says while looking around my room. He slowly goes to my bookshelf full of adventurous, romantic, thriller books and multiple other genres. "It covers your entire wall" he states in awe. "I love books...they make me happy thinking that whatever problems life may throw at you there is always a way to be happy." I say getting carried away.

He clears his throat "Ahem.. we should get started." and so we do. "Ok... so what do you not understand?" I ask. "Well that is a long list... verbs, adjectives, accents and I have to write and listen more carefully." he says. "Let's start with adjectives. We'll make an list of adjectives in alphabetical order." with that I take his notebook and start jotting down all adjectives I remember starting with 'A'. Each time I write a word he says it out loud "Amable...alto...asado...absurdo...aburrido".

Suddenly, I hear the door slam and in struts my stepmother. "Well, well, well...what do we have here? Has my ugly duckling got a boy in her room" she says with a snarl. "It's none of your business" I growl at her. "Of course it is! I am your mother remember? I got you out of that orphanage you bitch and you should respect me!" she snaps.

"With all due respect Mrs. Morrison..." says Nick trying to stand up for me but is interrupted "Not Morrison... St. Claire." she spits out my family name like venom. "Get out!" she yells at Nick. When he doesn't move she adds "else I'll chop your head off and no one will ever find you... Now go!". "No I won't... my father's the mayor... you really think you will get away with killing his son?" Nick challenges her with a calm demeanor and icy glare that can freeze your soul.

"Nick, go" I say trying to avoid the fight that is to come. "I won't Maria. You should stand up to her." he says looking at me directly in my eyes, his blue grey ones watching me as if they can see my soul. "Enough you two... finish what you were doing and get out." she says defeated and sashays out of my room making sure to slam the door.

"You should leave" I say to Nick. "No...what if she tries anything?" disagrees Nick. Is he worried? For me? "I'll be fine" I reassure him. "Ok...but you have my number, call me if you need anything." he says reluctantly and leaves my room. I follow suit. "Goodnight" he says before going down the stairs. Exhausted, I get to my room and start with my homework...