Chapter 7

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“I don’t need them. It’s not like I’m leaving forever or something” I huffed while rolling my eyes at mom for packing away literally everything. Now she was holding up party dresses that I forgot I even have!

At the end of our discussion and shouting match last week, mom convinced me that everything was for the best, and anyway I wasn’t staying there alone with beasty boy. Dom is staying with us to start her first year of college there.

“Mom are you sure I will need all these things? Anyway how will it fit in their car?”

“Stop worrying okay. I know what I’m doing” she became more agitated as the week passed.

Adam and Rika’s things are all packed and ready. Father is coming tomorrow to collect them and their stuff. Rika tried to keep her icy look but Adam and me can tell she felt betrayed by mom.

DING-DONG

Opening the door I was met by a soft curly mess of light brown hair.

“KAT! How are you? I missed you, you know” Dominique hugged the life out of me then just as fast let go and jumped on poor mom exclaiming a greeting in the process.

I turned back to the front door and found Jamal leaning on a seven-seater silver BMW. His face was blank as usual and his eyes glittered under the light coming from the lamppost. Missing a heart beat, I scolded myself silently then put on a brave smile. I was going to greet him.

“hey! You ok” that’s the best I managed because he wouldn’t even look at me, or at least acknowledge that I’m there standing in front of him.

This guy is the sole example of unforgiving.

Two can play at this game. I’m just gonna have to ignore him too.

Mom managed to usher them in, but beasty boy insisted with a sincere smile towards her that we needed to get going as soon as possible.

Here’s my chance to make him talk to me.

“But don’t we have a whole week left until college starts?” I asked all innocence, cackling inside. Let’s see him ignore me now.

His eyes didn’t even glance at me.

“We have to get there as early as possible to get to know the area, were going to be living there for the rest of the year if not more” he stated all this still looking at mom and all in one breath. Wow! I’ve never heard him say so many words in one sentence.

mom looked curiously at us, but she left her question un-asked. I just scowled, then stood up to show them the way to my bedroom.

After making sure everything was safely in place in there drool-worthy car, I went back inside to the kitchen to look for my mom.

What I saw broke my heart.

Mom was trying to stick herself to the fridge cradling her face between her pale, skinny hands. The sobs she made sounded as if they were coming from the bottom of her heart.

My vision started blurring at the sight of her. I went to her side as fast as I can without bumping into any chairs and hugged her hard.

“Mom what’s wrong? Please…you wanted this…” she just sobbed harder at my words until she was trembling against me.

I stopped talking, and she was clutching at my clothes as if I was never coming back.

“I’ll come back as soon as you come back from you’re business” I tried soothing her.

She started screaming “NO! STOP!”

I was getting frightened by her behaviour, and was going to scream for Adam to come and help me.

But there was no need; he was already standing there, Dominique just behind him. At the look on my face she came running and tried to put her lean arms around me.

“Lets go, you’ll see her soon, she’s just in shock” Dom was such a sweet naive person.

But her words reassured me and when I passed Jamal at the entrance of the kitchen, he turned his face from me and went inside to calm my mom.

In the hall, Adam was standing there, his face calm, but his eyes betrayed the emotions he was trying to withhold.

I can’t be mad at him anymore; I pulled away from Dom and went to my young but old brother. I placed a kiss on his cheek in a forgiving and departing gesture, and he just turned his eyes away murmuring a sorry.

Rika on the other hand was icier then usual and when I tried saying good-bye to her, she just started shouting and calling me names I wouldn’t care to repeat. One thing was sure and no matter what the circumstances are, they don't justify her actions.

“I hate you bitch, you go and enjoy yourself in Manchester when we stay with that thing and his fucker” she was also trying hard not to cry but in the end my brother pulled her to his side and she buried her face in his shoulder.

So sad, the place looked like someone has died and this is where the funeral is taking place.

Not able to take anymore of this I just waited for Jamal to come out of the kitchen so we can get the hell out of here.

He emerged, but not alone. A skeleton had its arms wrapped around itself, shivering and sniffling loudly.

No way is that my mother standing there dishevelled, her eyes sunken, hair thin and wispy, face taunt and dry.

Was I that preoccupied with my thoughts that I failed to notice my mom’s awful condition. Yeah I did see that she didn’t always look her usual immaculate standard, but this?

I can’t believe that the strong, independent business woman that I know has been reduced to this. All because of a person that doesn’t deserve even her spit! And to turn into this because of him?!

I looked at Adam and he knew what I wanted, gently, but firmly he led Rika into the sitting room. Dominique seemed to understand as well, because she gave me one more sympathetic glance then went outside to their car, followed closely by Jamal.

When I looked back to the kitchen door, mom wasn’t there, but weakly walking to me. I closed the distance and rested my chin on her shoulder.

“Kat, always know that I love you and only want the best for you” she barely whispered as I felt more tears roll down her face and into my shirt.

“Yes mom” was all I can reply before pulling back, kissing her quickly on the cheek and exiting the house without another glance at anything.

For some reason everything was too sad and dramatic to my liking. That wasn’t the mother I knew and always argued with.

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I sat in the front seat of the very comfortable and easy going car, because Dom insisted that she was tired, and wanted to sleep at the back. Left with no choice I sat there stiff and gluing myself to the door as far away from beasty boy as possible.

Dom fell asleep soon after the car started moving.

Half an hour through the journey I heard his deep low voice say “I don’t bite”

Huh?

Oh, thank God he can’t see my tomato face, as I relaxed back in the seat. Aaah that feels good, to just sit back with unclenched muscles and enjoy the awkward ride. Does this mean he’s forgiven me At LAST?

“I know” I murmured, almost shyly. What the hell! Get a grip on yourself girl! Whereas the bitchy attitude gone?!

He kept his eyes on the road ahead and didn’t look as if he was going to say anything else, so I rested my head on the window and looked at the cloudy night till sleep took me away.

I woke up when I felt the engine stop the lulling feeling. There was low music in a language I was too sleepy to try and recognise. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I looked outside to the big service.

Jamal and Dom weren’t there. Panicking, then thinking they were in the service somewhere, I opened the door, locked it from the inside and went looking for a toilet.

When I got back to the car, I found Jamal standing there next to the car, the shadow hiding his expression. At the sound of the footsteps he looked up and I saw that his face was very angry.

“Are you stupid? Couldn’t you wait until I get back before you go wondering about in the middle on nowhere at night?!” he all but shouted at me. His chest was heaving violently for some reason.

I didn’t think I did anything wrong, he’s just being a commanding, over-protective jerk. With that I shouted just as loudly “I don’t know who you think you are? I just went to the toilet and you have no right to order me around!”

With that I went to the passenger door, but before I opened it, he was there in a flash, his face near mine making my breathing laboured.

“I’m not ordering anyone around, but times like this are dangerous and I don’t need another burden to look after” he said in his low deep voice, sending shivers up my spine from how close he was.

What is he talking about? Why is he always acting like he cares when he obviously doesn’t? Did mom tell him to look after me? I don’t need a damn babysitter I thought angrily.

In the car Dominique was wide awake with an apologetic look on her face.

“Don’t take this personal Kat, he’s always like that, for some reason he was born a worrier” she smiled encouragingly at me and I didn’t have the heart to be angry. She was right, no matter how much he over reacted he was just looking out for me like any good family would.

He still didn’t come into the car, but had his back to us. Did my disappearance to the toilet really upset him that much? Maybe I should apologise. Before I can make a decision if I should get out of the car, or just wait till he got in, he opened his door and with a blank expression asked

“Do you want anything to eat or drink?” his tone wasn’t unpleasant but gruff like my brothers when he offers to do something for me. For some stupid reason a huge grin came onto my face and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t get rid of it. AWW under that entire mister-tough-guy exterior, he was big cuddly bear. I was that near to squealing loud. How pathetic can someone get? That was rhetorical by the way.

He started to look impatient so I bent down to get my purse from my bag while stating “a cappuccino without no sugar please”

The door banged shut before I can get the money out. Oh well, I’ll pay him when he gets back.

Dom fell asleep again after finishing her Magnum ice cream.

After what felt like an hour, Jamal appeared with a large Cappuccino in his hand. I thanked him after he gave it me making sure our fingers DON’T touch, and I asked why it took him so long.

He ignored me and started the car, so I dropped it and then remembered the money, I tapped his arm, he looked startled for a second then resumed his cold driving, making me think if what I saw was a figment of my wild imagination.

“What?” he asked after a moment of silence.

“erm…sorry about earlier, I didn’t meant to run off like that, and here’s the money for the cappuccino. Thanks” I said kind of rushed to get it all out of my system.

There was a deafening silence before he looked at me for a second then thrust the money back at me while looking back at the road.

“Stop trying to insult me, and I was trying to get the coffee” was his ambiguous response.

I didn’t want to annoy him so amused myself with thinking about what he said. I understood the first one, he paid and that was end of discussion.

I saw the built in digital time teller stating ‘1:02 am’ and I understood what he was talking about.

This just adds to his mysterious character. The café was supposedto be closed by 11pm. I feel sorry for who ever was working there. Still whatever he did do to the worker to get my coffee was cute. That Cheshire grin is back full on. URGH.

I woke again to the absence of the engine. There was wind blowing from behind and I drew my coat tighter around me.

“Your awake, which boxes are the most important ones you need?” he asked in a bored tone. I got out of the car and noticed Dom was still sleeping peacefully in the back seat.

“Just this bag, its ok I can carry it” I tried taking the blue sports bag, but he swiped it from atop the boxes and held it at his side.

“I said stop insulting me” his voice was still low, but with an angry tinge to it.

“Sorry, I forgot” he just went past me as if I wasn’t standing there. These little things seem to have a big affect on me and I didn’t like it. Every time he ignores me, it made me feel sad.

He then opened the door and carefully picked Dom up in his arms like a baby. This guy might not be as tall and muscular as those weight lifters on Sports World, but sure is strong holding a girl and a bag at once.

What would it feel if he held m-

He is my cousin! I should treat him like a brother not fantasise about being held bride style. That thought made me feel disgusted with myself but I still couldn’t help the stupid warm feeling in my stomach at the thought of his arms around me.

THAT’S ENOUGH!

I dismissed it as just being attracted to him like a detective is when they have a mystery to solve.

To take my thoughts away from the disturbing subject, I scrutinised my surrounding, but didn’t see much. The building looked very inviting with a little balcony on each floor. Even in the dark I can tell that it’s recently built.

I followed Jamal inside and it looked quite decent. More then that. Everything smelled new and fresh, the place was very welcoming and it even had an elevator. When the doors opened, Dom woke up and she was let down to get in the elevator with her own feet.

She pressed the seventh floor. Jamal opened the unlocked door number 21 and I stood there gaping at it for a second before moving inside and looking all around me in awe.

Who paid for this place? At the entrance there was a big glass wall separating the front from the sitting room. The glass bends in and out like waves in the sea, and there were swirls designed all over it.

The living room had a LARGE plasma TV with play station 2 attached to it, a few CD’s thrown carelessly about. The lighting was from lamps everywhere making the room with its wooden floor and thick rugs have a warm, homey feel about it.

There was a U shaped sofa that can seat at least 8 people. I know they said flat instead of dorm, but this was plain incredible.

I jumped on one of the beanbags and made myself comfortable. This is life. Now if only someone can give me that remote for the PS2…

“OWWW” I rubbed my head where it nearly snapped of my head from the impact of the heavy pillow. I turned around to find no other than Beasty boy arming himself with another pillow. Dom was already aiming to shoot.

I have to find ammunition quick before they pulverise me with these killer pillows. I took shelter behind the beanbag then jumped on to the sofa and got hold of the weapon needed. Without any warning the attack started from both sides.

I managed to get a few hits, but only managed to get rid of the easy target, known as Dominique.

The dangerous beast was beating me with his pillow, when I was trying to defend myself with both arms and legs and knocked him over by accident. Oh well, now I get to beat him up.

I towered over his body and brought the pillow down with all my power. I kept repeating it when Dom decided to act the hero and save her brother. We were both laughing and trying to take hold of the pillow when I got unbalanced by the pulling from both sides and fell on a…

“UMPH…” oops. Not a thing. A person.

I was so embarrassed that I didn’t know what to do but straighten up and sit there straddling… Jamal.

Blushing I leaned in a bit to see if he was okay. My heart rate went hyper. His eyes were closed as his face turned around. No I’m not the lightest person around. And he felt so…manly…

All of a sudden his eyes flew open and I couldn’t help but lean in more…his eyes still held the laughter of a few moments ago…

Then all of a sudden “gerrof me!”

Oh. My. God.

I can’t believe I just sat there leaning in to him slowly with my hands resting on his chest.

He pushed me away forcefully and I fell on the floor with a hard thump to my shoulder. I don’t blame him…

Having your cousin straddling you and staring at you as if she’s about to kiss you is no laughing matter. I can’t believe mom wants me to get married to him. Those old Arab hags brainwashed her!

He stood up tall, looked at his sister with a warning look, as in don’t interfere, and then went through one of the many doors in the hallway.

I don’t know what happened. First of all we were having fun like I never thought he could. Then everything felt like winter came earlier then was anticipated.

I didn’t even bother at looking at all that’s surrounding me. It will just have to wait for the morning. I didn’t even notice the bathroom or my new bedroom. Just changed into a long comfy top and shorts, and then went to bed thinking of only one thing. It was for a fleeting moment but I still caught it.

When I fell on top of him was it disgust written all over his face?

Or … fear?

I think I’m imagining too much from the totally different reactions I got when I left.

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A/N: so what do you think of this chapter. I know it’s not as good because I wrote while I’m half asleep (I’m sooo gonna win that bet with my friends). But still I made sure it had quite a bit of hints as to what’s going to happen in the future. Foreshadowing if you like.

Anyway please review because I’m honestly getting disheartened by the lack reviews so please write anything. Even one word…

Your unique just like everyone else ;p