Chapter 2

The students have been picked up by all of the school buses. I can't get a ride from anyone else. The only option is to wait for a bus at a bus stop. Fortunately, the bus stop is close to the school. The roadway isn't particularly congested.

It was only myself and a middle-aged woman with a grocery bag full of items. He was probably in his sixties, chubby, and had an angry expression on his face. We sat across the table from each other. I'm not antisocial; it's only a matter of status if I have to greet people first.

The elderly lady fixed her gaze on me. It made me uncomfortable, so I attempted to turn away and look the other way. I'm glad it's a lady; if it had been a man, I might have bolted.

A bus finally came to a halt in front of us after a long wait. The woman and I both instantly ascended and sat in our assigned seats. I removed my phone from my bag. Mommy has left five missed calls and two unanswered messages. Oh, my god! Mommy called before I arrived home to say that her car tire was leaking and she couldn't pick up the phone. My phone was on silent mode, so it's no surprise I didn't hear. If I set the phone to silent like this, it's not my problem. Turning off or switching to silent mode on your cellphone is required at school. I promptly answered to Mommy's message, informing her that I was on my way home via bus. Although I sent a message, I have yet to receive a response.

When I turned around, the woman was still staring at me with that expression. At the rear, she was two seats across. I don't mind, I'm not bothered.

The bus arrives at Green Avenue Street, and I must walk another five minutes to reach my destination.

Do I know how to get back home? Obviously not.

At situations like this, G****e Maps comes in handy. I'm not the type of person who memorizes highways in a single pass.

Wait!

Someone appears to be following me.

The elderly lady did indeed follow behind. I accelerated my pace, but he accelerated hers as well. This could not be permitted, so I dashed away from him as quickly as I could. It's fortunate that my residence is visible. With strained gasps, I knelt. Huff, that was exhausting. It made me realize I wasn't getting enough exercise.

“Aaaa…!”

When the woman appeared alongside me, I was taken aback. I'm curious as to how long he's been standing here.

"Do you reside in that house?" ask her.

She said this while pointing to my home. With trepidation, I nodded.

"You must leave right away. There is a curse on this house." She simply walked away after saying that.

I was terrified by his demeanor and eyes. I noticed a little alley in front of me and figured she'd be able to catch up. Apparently, the road was cut.

What an odd woman!

I noticed Mommy talking with a woman her age from afar. Soon after, the woman entered the house next door to mine. Mommy appears to be acquainted with our new neighbor.

"Hi, Sweetheart. You've arrived. Mommy has just met our new next-door neighbor. She is Mrs. Selly , and she lives with her family. Neighbors who are nice and considerate of one another. She also owns a dog." Mommy is overjoyed at the prospect of making new friends.

I merely reacted with a smile and a slight response.

The sun has gone down. My lips are perfectly finished with the lipstick. I'm only wearing a sweater and pants tonight. In the mirror, I appear to be quite unassuming. Kevin stated that the party would be relaxed and not overly formal. So there's no need to dress up.

Someone knocked on the door just as I was finishing putting on my shoes.

"Someone is looking for you, Bev. His name is Kevin Holden," Mommy stated.

I pushed open the door.

"Wow, you're looking beautiful tonight?" Mommy was taken aback.

"All right, Mom. I'm going to a birthday celebration for a friend. I might be late getting home."

While on the dressing table, displaying the goodies.

"So you've made some friends? It's fantastic! I'm sure you'll feel quite at home here."

"I'm not sure."

"I hope." Mommy gave a warm smile.

Yeah, Mom. I hope that's correct.

Kevin was already waiting for me downstairs. We traveled by his car.

Only a few people were present, as Kevin mentioned. Sarra Weaselton, Henry Swanson, Helen Steaword, and party host Alexander Johnson were among those I met.

Despite the fact that Henry and Alex were in separate classes, they attended the same school as me. Despite the fact that they had only met recently, they felt like old friends. We had a lot of fun and chatted about a variety of topics.

After a week in Los Angeles, I've learned a lot more about them. Kevin Holden is a horror movie and book fanatic. Surprisingly, they carried a fantasy novel with them when they first met. Ridiculous. Her father, Sarra Weaselton, worked as a cashier at the Del Causo Bakery. His favorite pastime is watching movies. The skateboarder Henry Swanson. He was punished for cheating by racing around the field on my third day of school. Helen Steaword is deafeningly quiet. But as you learn more about her, you'll notice that she's a very communicative young lady. Alexander Johnson isn't all that dissimilar to Henry. Daddy and Mommy are also familiar with all of my new acquaintances, particularly Kevin. Because we live next door.

I'm sleeping downstairs today, close to the visitor. Dad had a lot of books and a computer in this room, as well as a comfortable bed for anyone who wished to sleep here. If I have to bring a lot of books to my room and then return them to this room, I'm a slacker. Maybe till my class is through.

The teacher's assignments piled up on the study table. All must be finished, and some must be emailed tonight. A bowl of cereal might make you feel better. The practice questions are answered one by one. Simply complete the French assignment. It's a little challenging.

'knock-knock'

My focus was broken by a gentle knocking sound. I walked over to the window and drew the curtains aside. No, not at all. Perhaps a branch was blown down by the wind.

'knock-knock'

Oh, no! At this hour of the night, who wants to know what's going on?

I resumed my attention to the window. There isn't nobody.

Wait! As though someone was keeping an eye on you. I pressed my face to the glass. Outside, the environment was dark and ominous. Some street lamps were insufficient to illuminate the darkness. The trees were being shook by the wind, which was blowing a little too strongly....

"GRAAAAA!!"

"Aaaaaaa!"

I screamed.

A thing with red eyes and a protruding tongue shoved its face towards the person's face.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The beast burst out laughing.

What the hell is going on?

"This is me, Kevin," he said as he removed his mask.

We shared a laugh.

He approaches the door and asks for permission to enter. To be honest, I was perplexed and worried that Daddy and Mommy would hear about it. I don't want to get myself into any sort of difficulty. Furthermore, Mommy prevented me from entering the room with the boy. Kevin was adamant about letting him in. Okay, maybe it'll be fine if it's only for a little while.

Finally, I opened the window and let him in.

"How did you end up here?"

He smiled and said, "Nothing."

"Actually, I was hoping to give you something."

Kevin gave me a present, which he concealed beneath his body. The torquise color that goes around the box is appealing.

"It's still a long way off till my birthday."

"I don't believe there should ever be a cause for someone to offer another person a gift."

"All right, thanks." I smiled and placed the gift on the vanity, "So, what's next?"

"What's next?" He try to repeat my words, "Of course, what's next?"

I smiled.

He cautiously repeated my query. He had a weird expression on his face. He tentatively placed his fingers on my cheek. His hands were icy, yet they warmed my heart. My heart was hammering erratically in my chest. There is a glimmer of happiness in the heart. Our faces are in close proximity. I could feel his labored breathing.

Closer....

Closer....

More close....

'BRAAAKK!!'

"YOU'VE BUSTED!"

The door swings shut violently, displaying Mommy on her hips, her eyes blazing at us. Daddy stood in the back, a smile hidden behind his hand.

With a grin, Daddy responded, "Yeah, you're really, really busted."

"I've figured it out!" With a harsh gaze, Mommy returned Daddy's stare.

Daddy's expression was suddenly verified. Daddy could be so cute if it weren't for these conditions.

"Kevin, get out of here!"

Mommy told him to spread my right hand out and point my index finger.

"Please, Mom. It isn't what you believe. Please, Dad!"

Daddy simply grinned.

I wanted to smack Daddy in the face with a pillow.

"All right, Mrs. Whelston, let me explain—" Kevin hadn't finished his sentence yet.

"Go!"

He was cut off by Mommy.

"All right, Bev. Tomorrow, I'll see you at school. If you don't mind, Mrs. Whelston, may I go out the front door?"

Kevin caught Mommy's eye.

"It's fine. It's no problem. I go to the back of the house and open the window. Good night, everybody!"

"And you, Beverly .... Tomorrow, tell me everything!"

Mommy took a step back.

"Very, really busted," Daddy murmured quietly, a smirk on his face.

He eventually shut the door behind him.

Oh, my goodness. I didn't expect it to end this way. Please, Lord, deliver me tomorrow morning!