Lauren woke to the sound of a truck pulling up next door; she pulled herself out of bed and walked to the large window the overlooked the lush front yard of the neighboring house. “Well finally” She said to herself aloud. The house next door had been vacant for almost three months; Rumors were that someone had died so obviously it stayed on the market. A boy came out of the front door and took a table from the mover man, as he turned around Lauren studied his rugged features. He wore long slightly baggy pants, but not that kind that fall down under the ass and a red flannelette shirt cut off at the shoulders over a white long sleeve shirt and his brown hair fell in front of his face making it difficult for her to see. He walked towards the door of the house but paused for a moment, his head turned and he looked up at her. To her he was quite rugged and handsome but anyone else would say to her “He looks dangerous Lauren, stay away from him”

He did look dangerous and he wasn’t the kind of guy she would usually go for but there was just something about him. He stared at her and she stared back, she tried to smile but his face just stayed plain, if anything he was laughing at her. She was a stuck up rich snob to him and why should he waste his time to smile back at her. She turned up her nose and gave him the finger, he put down the table he was holding and pretended to grab the gesture and put it his pocket for safe keeping. She watched as his father walked up behind him and slapped his head, even from her room she could hear what was being said…or yelled actually.
”What the hell are you doing, move your ass you idiot” The boy picked up the table and took one last look at her before he went inside.

“What a jerk” She scoughed. Lauren jumped when the phone beside her rung she walked over and picked it up, smiling because she knew exactly who it was “Hello” she chorused into the receiver.

“Morning babe, hope I didn’t wake you”

“Morning Jake, no you didn’t wake me, I was up watching our new neighbors move in…finally”

“Wow they actually sold that house after all that was said about it”

“Yeah, but the people who are moving in there look like don’t really give a ****. They look really…well I can’t describe them. They kind of look like criminals if you ask me” Jake laughed on the other end “Well you just keep an eye out baby, don’t get to close to them…they might bite” Lauren laughed and said her goodbyes. God Jake was so sweet, he was everything that she looked for in a guy, but this boy next door was something different.

Lauren walked to the small cupboard containing all the clothes she own, yes her parents were rich but her view was if she needed money she had to work for it herself. She had a job at a clothes shop in the mall up town, she didn’t get paid much but it was the thought that counted. Most of her friends thought she was an idiot for doing it, but she liked that fact that she had to work for her own money rather than have it handed to her on a silver platter. She pulled on a pleated black skirt and the white shirt with Shirley’s Boutique stitched onto it, she pulled back her short black hair into a bun and put on the required black shoes she had to wear. She pulled the front door closed behind and started to walk up the path beside the road. The man from the mover van pulled closed the doors and jumped in the driver seat, obviously he didn’t see her because he was so close to running her over as he pulled out. Lauren faced the truck “*******!!!” The drivers hand came out the window and gave her the same finger gesture she had given the boy this morning, so she did the same, throwing her hand high in the air and sent it back to him.

“You know if your always a ***** like that to everyone, your never going to have any true friends” Lauren jumped, startled at the sudden break of silence. She turned to find the boy next door standing on the foot path.

“Well if he hadn’t tried to run me over I wouldn’t have been as nasty. And who are you to judge” she spat back at him, a small evil grin spreading across her face.

“Let me guess, you think because I don’t know you I don’t have the right to judge you? Well little miss I can tell you right now…just taking a guess. You’re on your way to the mall right now, and I don’t understand why you don’t just jump in your daddy’s car and drive but you’re going to spend as much money as possible to get back at him for making your life a living hell…am I getting this right?”

“You’re not even close”

“Oh I’m not”

“No…In fact I’m walking to the mall…” She was cut of by him laughing

“Well at least I had that part right”

“Will you shut up and let me finish so I can get this out because I don’t want to be late for work” The evil grin filled her face again

“Work…?”

“Yes, work. I’m WALKING to the mall where I will WORK for five hours and get paid about $7.50 an hour. The reason I am walking is because I’m about $7000 short of buying my OWN car. Now can you see how far off you were?” Lauren smiled and turned her back on him.

“Christie, Have you seen the little machine for the price tags?... CHRISTIE!”

“Whoa, hold your horse’s woman, I’m coming” A Tall blonde girl stalked towards the front desk and handed Lauren the machine

“Gezz what’s up with you this morning Lauren, you seem on edge?” Lauren dropped her head and looked at her feet “Sorry Chris, I’m just in a bad mood. Some ******* nearly ran me over this morning then the new guy next door called me a ***** because I gave the driver the finger…I think I should go back home and wake up again” Chris took her best friend in a tight bear hug “Oh Lauren, your not a ***** your just…An angel with attitude, that’s all” The two girls laughed until a man walked in the store and the sound of the buzzer made them both jump. Lauren was the first to the counter and greeted the man; she had to be nice even if it was hard sometimes.

“Hi, how may I help you sir?”

“Umm…well, I’m looking for something for my wife…its an anniversary gift” Lauren gave the man a warm smile “And what is it that you’re looking for? Clothing…or when have a nice, small range of jewelry under the counter I could show you” The man’s face turned a bright red “No…well actually I’m looking for…umm well an undergarment”

The smile on Lauren’s face faded and her cheeks turned red “Sure right this way” She stepped out from behind the counter and walked to the Ladies underwear section.

“Ok, here we have a nice selection ranging from Bra’s and underwear, to the beautiful chemise” The man looked at the underwear but even Lauren could see it was the beautiful black chemise he was looking at. The man pointed to it “I like that”

“Well that’s a lovely choice. Now what size are you looking for?” The man thought for a second “Umm…about a 12 maybe…well she kind of has the same figure as you but she is slightly bigger…so maybe a 12”

Wow this man has a good guess, Lauren was a 10. Not too small but not too big, Lauren thought herself to be the perfect size even though she had a tiny frame.

“Excellent, Now would you like it in Black, White or Pink?”

“Umm…black…Please” She took the black chemise from the rack and walked back to the counter.

“I’m willing to spend as much money as needed. I forgot our anniversary last year so I’m making it up to her with a surprise this year” Lauren smiled at the man. He wasn’t young, maybe in his early thirties and he was very fit but shy at the same time.

“Well that will come to $112.52. These things aren’t cheap because they are made with pure silk, We also have ones made out of Egyptian cotton and there price range is about $200”

“Ahh…no this one will be fine thank you” The man handed her the money and thanked her again then left. Lauren let out her breath as soon as he walked out and Chris came running over too her “Oh My God! I could never have done that”

“It was nerve racking just trying to look at the poor man. But wasn’t he sweet though, that was very expensive”

“Well looks like chivalry isn’t dead after all” The girls both laughed until the buzzer went off again, Lauren’s heart fluttered then fell when she seen who it was.

“Hide me….Quick!” Chris nearly ran in a circle after Lauren, who was down on all fours crawling behind the counter. She popped her head up “You can serve him, and don’t be afraid to get nasty with him”

“Lauren what the hell is go…Oh hi sir, how may I help you?”

“Umm I’m looking for Lauren Brookes. On her way to WORK this morning she dropped this” The boy handed over a leather bound book

“Umm thanks, I’ll give it to her when she gets up”

The boy looked at her confused “Gets up?”

“Oh umm…gets back” She smiled innocently, the boy just turned on his heels and left. Lauren sighed and pulled herself up off the ground, “Now what was all that about?” Chris looked at her suspiciously. “THAT was the ******* that called me a ***** this morning”

“Oh you mean that’s your new neighbor?” Lauren nodded “Can I come stay at your place tonight Lauren?” Chris gave her a cheeky grin.

“Oh my god, How could you. You know you shouldn’t date outside your species” Chris laughed

“Oh but he’s so cute…and he looks dangerous” She eyed the door where the boy had walked out. “Yes he DOES look dangerous. That’s the reason why I have to protect you, you can’t stay at my place tonight” She said trying to put drama into her voice, she put her hand on her best friends shoulder “It’s for your own good” Both girls laughed until yet another customer walked into the shop.

By the end of the day, all of Lauren’s energy had been drained and she was ready to fall out of her seat “Lauren would you like me to walk you home?”

“Thanks but no thanks Chris; I just need some time to myself. Walking home might calm me down enough for me to sleep tonight” Lauren hugged the tall girl and shut the doors to the Boutique behind her. Actually the last thing she wanted was to be walking home in the dark on her own, but she really did need time too cool off. When she stepped outside the doors of the mall the cool autumn breeze hit her and she pulled her light coat a little tighter. It wasn’t that far to her house, maybe 5 or 6 blocks. But in Sydney, 5 or 6 blocks could mean about a half an hours walk, still she didn’t care she like the peace and solitude that the night bought with it. The stars were exceptionally bright tonight, for there was no moon. Somewhere up there her real parents were looking down on her, yes that’s right, Lauren was adopted. She was one of the lucky ones that went to a good home that had enough money to support her. She still called James and Karen, mum and dad but somewhere in that big bundle of stars her real mum and dad were looking down at her, proud that there daughter wasn’t taking advantage of her adoptive parent’s money. The breeze blew again, but it wasn’t the cold that sent a shiver up her spine. You know that feeling you get when you think your being watch, how every strand of hair on the back of your neck stands up and your heart begins to race for no particular reason, well right now Lauren’s heart was pounding faster than the speed of light. Every sound made her jump or squeal. She could see the lights on her house now, and she could see the Boy next door in his bedroom window on the second floor of there house. Lauren stopped this time, she could have sworn she heard footsteps…there it was again. Was that the sound of a belt being pulled form a pair of jeans, ready to lock around the throat of some stupid girl that turned down her friends offer of walking her home. The bush beside her move and she let out a small moan, slowly…very slowly she turned around, But the only sound that came from her mouth was “OH…”

The man just stood there and looked at her. She didn’t move because she knew if she did he would probably catch…She was never good at gym…or any sport at that. The man’s hand moved and Lauren flinch, he rummaged around in his pocket until he pulled out something that scared her even more than the fact that she was being followed. The silver knife reflected the late night stars and even the darkness could not hide the man’s evil white grin. Lauren slid one foot back; the man smiled again and shook his head

“Ah uh little pretty. Move again and this knife might slip from my fingers” He started to move towards her, waving the sharp knife in front of his face. “If you scream, I’m going to cut out your vocal chords. Now your just gonna hand me the bag, and then I MIGHT think about letting you go” He grabbed Lauren by the arm, she tried to break free from his grasp but he threw her to the ground “Big mistake” He whispered in her ear. Lauren took the chance and threw up her arm hitting him square in the nose, but before she knew what was happening his hand made contact with her face “You silly little *****” he spat at her “That’s gonna cost ya now” He let out a loud laugh that echoed in her ears. She fell to the ground, hitting her head on the pavement and then…darkness. The last thing she remembered was the piercing scream and strong arms.

The light was so bright when she opened her eyes, but it was dulled out by a face. Lauren let out a scream and threw her arms around and made contact with what ever it was that blocked out the light.

“OWWW!!! What the hell was that for?” The deep voice that she had come to know very well intruded the silence in her head.

“Oh my god. Baby I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” Lauren tried to move to hug Jake but her head pounded, she moaned and lay back down “Whoa easy there, you have a major bump to your head. Would you mind telling me what happened?”

“I…I don’t remem…Wait. There was a man, and a knife. He hit me, then I blacked out…I think. And someone saved me, Jake you saved me?” A smiled filled her face and her pale skin turned red. “Jake, thank you so much” Despite the throbbing pain in her head she jumped up and kissed him “I love you” Jake pushed her away slightly

“Well your welcome…I think. But before you go jumping to conclusions; there was a reason why I came to see you” Jake looked at her and took her shoulders “I don’t want you going near that creep next door okay. I seen him outside before and this afternoon Chris told me he came looking for you at the store to return some stupid book”

“That stupid book happens to be the most important thing in the world to me. It holds all my memories, all my thoughts…Oh my god” She gasped and covered her mouth “That creep. If he so much as opened the first page I’m going to kill him” Lauren jumped off the bed and swayed slightly “Baby, I’ll be back” She kissed him on the cheek and ran out the door. The wind was even worse during the night and considering how much energy she had before she was attacked; she swayed with the wind almost falling over. “That creep” she muttered to herself “I’m going to break those glove covered fingers of his and shove them up his…”

“Hay, you know the path is usually the thing you walk on…Not the grass” The boy next door stood on the porch, he lent up against one of the beams but there was not trace of a smile on his face.

“Now don’t you start. You bought this book into the store today…Did you read it? DID YOU”

“WHOA settle petal. That bump to the head must have caused some brain damage”

“What?”

“The bump on your head where you hit the pavement and the bruise where the ******* slapped you”

“How did you know about that…it only just happened” Realization flew over her “HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING ME?”

“YOUR GODDAM LUCKY I WAS OTHERWISE THAT ******* WOULD HAVE THROWN YOU TO THE DOGS. Don’t you know you shouldn’t walk home on your own at night?”

“What? You saved me?” The boy nodded. Lauren’s head fell “Than that mean…” She threw up her head and stared at him “This isn’t over” She stalked down the path and wrenched open the door to her house “JAKE!!”

“Whoa babe what’s wrong”

“Baby, come here for a second” Jake almost tripped down the stairs but not even that could put a smile on her face “What’s up babe”

“Jake, tell me in detail what happened outside…when you SAVED me from the attacker?”

“Well umm…he umm came up behind you and…uhh…well he”

“WELL what did he do?”

“He…attacked you” Before she knew what she was doing Lauren’s hand flew from her side and she slapped him in the same place she hit him before “You lying *******, you weren’t even there. The boy next door scared him away then somehow broke into my house while my parents weren’t home and put me on my bed where you found me” Jake he dropped, he couldn’t bare to look her in the eyes “Is that true?” she asked him, daring him to lie again.

“Yeah…” he whispered under his breath

“What was that I didn’t hear you” she said raising her voice a little

“YES!!! Okay. I lied to you because I wanted you to think I was the hero” A Tear fell down Lauren’s face, she turned her back on him and opened the door “Get out”

“But baby”

“GET OUT!!” Jake stormed out the door and gave her the finger as he went “You were a fridget ***** any way”

Lauren slammed the door and fell against the wall. All the tears that had been saved up from all the time she had been hurt and all the time she thought she was never going to find love again, pour out onto the hardwood floor. Why me, she thought to herself, Why me.

Keyword: The Boy that lived Next door (1)

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Posted by nonoijameson 2008-04-04 16:46:58 .... i love it.. + Report this comment

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