Charmed

Mia’s POV:

There was a long silence between us until we reached his house. I couldn’t help but let out my frustrations and wail. We were on the patio drinking wine while I screamed and cursed my life in the air. Moments later, Theo came and hugged me. Nixon told his family driver to pick him up to join us to cheer me up.

“I hate my life.”

“Cry it all out. Everything will be fine. One day, you will have the courage to fight Jaret and end your misery,” Theo refilled my glass with wine.

“I think it’s about time, Mia,” Nixon took a picture of my neck. Jaret’s hand left a mark around it and on my arm.

“Nixon, I can’t. Not with my mom and brother still in that house. He’ll hurt them.”

“Then when? When? If he kills you and your mom?” Nixon threw her phone on the table, pissed. He was gritting his teeth angrily.

“Trust me, not now. I will when I know it’s safe.”

“I sure hope it’s not too late by that time!” Nixon exclaimed, retaliating on the table.

I was so baffled by how Nixon cared so much about me. He was so furious that he vented it out, smacking the table. I ended up checking his hands because I know that hurts.

“Thank you, guys, but please, Nixon, don’t hurt yourself. I’ll be fine,” tears flooded my eyes. Despite my misfortune, I have friends whom I can count on. Well, we’re friends now.

 “Just smile, please,” Nixon wiped my tears and caressed my hair. He was so gentle. Contrary to Nixon, who always bullied me in school. So weird.

“Seriously, Mia, we need to do something about Jaret. This beating needs to stop. I will come up with some plan, okay? I will ask my aunt for assistance. I know they will help you,” Theo cleared his throat, surprised by Nixon’s gesture. I felt my face blush, or was it the wine?

“Okay,” I nodded.

Nixon offered his bed so I could rest. He and Theo sleep on the floor. I felt comfortable and dozed off immediately, but I woke up from the sound of a long howl nearby. I felt goosebumps all over my body and remembered Davon. He is probably back in the notebook now and sleeping.

I peeked outside the window to check the sound and saw a shadow lurking in the bushes. I focus my eyes on the shadow and realize the silhouette. Werewolf? I went back to sleep. My head is spinning because of the wine.

The next day, Nixon and I went to school together. But he dropped me off a few meters away from the school. He said his friends would see us and they wouldn’t understand.

I got off his car, slamming the door. Such a great pretender!

“Mia! Please, I hope you understand!” Nixon calls out. But who cares about his explanation? Asshole! I gestured a middle finger while walking. Nixon stepped on his accelerator and drove passed by me.

“Who is that guy?” Davon popped out all of a sudden.

“Jesus, Davon! You scared the hell out of me! Could you please give me a sign that you are coming out? You’ll give me a heart attack one of these days.”

“Sorry, Mia. You didn’t answer my question. Who is that guy?”

“Ah, that jerk? He’s Nixon Bronx. My nemesis,” I flash a grin, concealing my disgust.

“Is he bothering you? You seemed perturbed.”

“No, I’m not. You should go to your grave, and I’ll see you later.”

Davon nodded though he looked pissed. His face darkened, asking about Nixon. People are acting weird and crazy today. Starting with that Nixon. I swear I will never speak to him again.

“Mia, I’ve got good news!” Theo panted. He went home early and left me in Nixon’s house. I wanted to punch his face right now.

“What is it?” I compose myself holding back my temper.

“Remember the friend I told you about? She said she could pull some strings and let you work in the public library. I thought you might want the job since you love reading books.”

“Are you serious?”

“One hundred percent. She will call me back later for the confirmation of your job.”

“Oh, my God! Theo, thank you so much! I could kiss you!” I embraced my best friend and started to shower him with kisses.

“Yuck! Mia, Stop it!” he wiped his face and pushed me away, “Get a grip! You’re drooling at me!”

“Thank you, Theo. You are the best!”

“I know, but you know, I miss Cheska. I’m not used to you and me, you know. The three of us have been together forever,” Theo sat with me on the school’s ground, where we sometimes spent our spare time.

“I miss her too. Did she call you?”

“She didn’t, and you?”

“Nope. I wonder what she’s doing right now. Should we visit her?” I scroll through my phone’s gallery, watching our pictures together. It was so dull without Cheska.

“I think that’s a good idea. Let’s drop by after school.”

At Cheska’s house, her car was parked outside. There were other cars that we figured belonged to her parents. It was so quiet for a family bonding. Maybe they were out of town or somewhere in this property celebrating or whatever rich people do for quality time.

“Do you think we should knock?”

“What kind of a question is that, Theo? Of course, we should knock!”

“You knock.”

I shook my head. Theo looked disturbed, glancing around. It’s not like someone will grab us and bite our neck. I took the liberty to knock on the massive door in front of us. It took me five knocks before someone opened the door.

“Yes?” an old woman wearing a black dress face us. I have never seen her before, but she must be Cheska’s relative.

“Good afternoon, mam. I am Mia, and this is Theo. We are friends of Cheska. Is she here?”

“Unfortunately, Cheska is not here. Would you like to leave a message for her instead?”

“Ahh, please tell her we drop by. She’s been absent for a few days, and we are worried and missed her.”

“Very well, I will tell her once she arrives from her family trip.”

“Thank you, mam.”

“You’re welcome.”

The woman smiled at us, waiting for us to leave. I held onto Theo’s hand and urged him to go home. I know he will insist on checking the back door, but the woman oversees us. I looked back and saw her standing there, ensuring we were off their property.

“She’s creepy,” Theo whispered, turning his head back to the woman. The door closes when we reach the gate, but I feel like she is still watching us from somewhere.

“You know what, let’s give Cheska the space. You heard the older woman; they were out on a trip. Let’s wait for her to come back. Anyway, she will continue school after.”

“I agree. I don’t have plans to come back here anyway. Why do they like to wear black? Remember the portrait?” Theo keeps looking back at the mansion.

“Yeah, I remember. I was about to tell you that.”

“It’s frustrating when she’s not answering our calls and texts. Our group chat is so quiet.”

“I know,” I looked back at the mansion and saw the window on the top floor open. It was close when we were there. Suddenly, it slammed close without someone closing it. In my mind, that was weird. Maybe the wind did it.

On our way home, a car pulls over in our front. It’s Nixon. Did he follow us here? He is so relentless! The nerve of this guy!

“Where are you heading?” Nixon rolled down the window of his car.

“Home,” I quickly answered, clutching Theo’s hand and pulling him away.

“Let me give you a ride,” he yelled.

“Go home, Nixon! Your friends might see you hanging out with us!”

Unfortunately, Theo stopped and pulled my hand. I glared at him, but he was not buying it.

“It’s a long way, Mia. Let’s ride with him right now and forget about it after. Please? I’m pretty tired, and I know you are too.”

Dammit! I have my bike, and Theo has his. Why is he being such a lump? I’m out of reason, so Theo and I hop in his car. The main road was too far anyway.

We drop Theo first. He refused to go, and I know he was looking out for me, but we will pass first on his house. He gestures secretly for me to text him, and I know what he means. I nodded.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you. Not in a million years, my mate,” he smiled. In my mind, I had heard that word before. Mate. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is a liar.

“Your friend is good. He’s very protective, and I appreciate it.”

“He is. He is like my brother, and he will never lie or use someone for his own benefit.”

“Good. All I wanted was to get close to you. I would never hurt you, Mia. You’re my mate! Please believe….”

“What did you call me?” I cut him off hearing the word mate.