Having to relive through the nightmare of my parents death everyday killed me. After the police and everyone showed up to investigate the crime scene i was escorted to the police station, i was finger printed and had to prove i was in school that whole week. They thought i had killed my parents at first, because i was the one who had found them. A lot of people in town still thought I did. They hadn't found my parents murderer still. It had been a year and a half since i found them. After their death I had become a bit of a recluse, not hanging out with my friends. I just spent my time in class or taking pictures.
As i sat on the beach, looking out at the water i couldn't help the tears that started to spill from my eyes. It happened every time i thought of my poor beautiful parents. I looked at my phone and realized it was starting to get late, and i was hungry. I got up and started on my way back to my little home in town. I loved this town, it was small and homey. I didn't feel out of place here, everyone made me feel like i belonged. I didn't realize how hungry i was until i walked past Jeni's restaurant. They had the best food, it was homemade and filled you up. I stopped in there for a bite to eat before heading the rest of the way home. I was about two miles from home when it started pouring outside. I was not joking when i said the weather was unpredictable. I put my camera under my coat to shield it from getting completely wet after taking some shots of the rain. I was almost soaked to the bone within minutes of the rain starting, i was shivering and i was sure this rain wasn't going to be letting up anytime soon. I saw head lights pass me and stop, the Chevy backed up to where I was walking. In the driver's seat of the Chevy was a man about my age. He had dark short hair and big brown eyes. He had very defined features and stubble along his jaw.
" You want a ride?" He asked, his voice deep and husky. I stood there like a deer in headlights, not really sure what to do. I had never saw this man before, so i wasn't too sure.
" Doll? Get in, you're soaked and freezing." He put the truck in park and got out, i walked towards him and he put his arm around me helping me into the passenger seat of the truck. He got back into the driver's seat and grabbed a coat from the back. He handed it to me and i gladly put it on. I took my camera out and sat it in the center console.
" Th..Thank you" I was shivering. He turned the heat on and placed his free hand on mine trying to warm them up.
"Where do you live doll?" His voice was so deep and mesmerizing, i wanted him to keep talking forever. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the seat. My body was starting to warm up, i was thankful for the ride.
" I live up here, take a left at the next road." I could barely speak above a whisper. I wasn't quite used to this bipolar weather and i could feel a cold coming on already.
"You okay doll? You're lookin a bit on the pale side." He kept looking over at me, his hand moved away from mine and i whimpered at the loss of contact with this gorgeous man. I was only sad temporarily though because he returned it right back as soon as he turned down my road.
" It's right up here on the hill, the little yellow house on the left." He nodded, squeezing my hands gently.
" You have an accent, where are you from originally?" I didn't like telling people where i was from, or who i was.. I was afraid that they would know who i was from the news.
" I'm from Texas, just moved up here a couple months ago." I replied, not getting too much detail.
"What the hell did you move to this town for?" He looked shocked.
"I like the quiet, i like being in a small area. I love nature, this town is full of it." It was the truth, that was what had captured me when i had been driving, my original plan had been to move to Petoskey. When i drove through this town, i couldn't help but stop and stay. It was gorgeous, it was just what i needed. I didn't need shopping malls or chain restaurants everywhere, i needed woods and water.
" Well you'll get plenty of quiet here, do you work in town?" He pulled into my drive way. The sound of the gravel crunching under the tires never sounded so sweet. I couldn't wait to get inside and sink into my bath tub and finish thawing my body.
" No, not yet anyways. I'm a photographer. I was hoping to open up my own studio though. This town is a great canvas." He smiled as i said that.
" Well doll, looks like you're home. We better get you inside and get you warmed up."
He got out of the truck and came around to my door, opening it for me. He seemed sweet, unlike the boys i grew up with. They were mostly pigs, leaving one or two of them to be genuinely nice. I had never had a boyfriend, or any interest in them. I was focused on my career, on gaining a career. I had only been kissed once at the only party i attended in high school. Colt Williams was his name and it was terrible, there for i haven't kissed anyone since.
" Would you like some coffee? or tea?" I didn't really know what to do, he invited himself in so i guess i should feed him or something.
" Coffee sounds good." His eyes followed me wherever i walked, as we entered my house a worried expression crossed his face.
"What is it?" Not understanding the confused expression on his face.
"You don't lock your door?" His brow furrowed, making him look even more attractive than I thought was possible.
"No, I'm in the middle of no where why would I need to?" I stated simply. It's not the city, there is no danger out here.
"It's still dangerous. What if someone broke in here, it may be the middle on nowhere but there are still bad people out there doll." He moved closer to me, resting his hand on the small of my back. I didn't know what to say, he did make a good point. The person who killed my parents was still out there. They could come after me, I could feel the panic start to rise in me. I took a few deep breaths and shut my eyes, calming myself down. His fingers brushed against my face, making my eyes reopen.
"I'll lock my doors from now on, I guess I wasn't thinking since it's so quiet out here." I said in a small voice. I could still feel the panic wanting to make an appearance. I turned around and starting making coffee.
He sat down at my kitchen table, he started fiddling with his phone. Probably texting his girlfriend, I felt the jealousy rising. I didn't really understand why I felt this way, I just met this man. Oddly enough I was extremely attracted to him. Then again, what girl wouldn't be. He was gorgeous.