Run Like Hell by Elena Andrews Page A

“We’re staying indoors the rest of the night.” I lock the gate and we return to the front of the house.
     
    The open front door gives me a sense of dread, despite knowing Rory is inside. Once again I kick myself for my own stupidity. If I’m going to get through these few days without my parents around, I need to make smarter decisions. Leaving my house open for trouble isn’t smart.
     
    “Rory?” I yell into the house.
     
    She steps out from the kitchen into the foyer. “What?”
     
    “Oh, just making sure you’re inside the house. I didn’t want to lock you out.” Tiger and I step inside and I close and lock the door behind us.
     
    “Why would I be outside?”
     
    “No reason. Okay, I’ll be upstairs.” Without giving her a chance to say anything else, I dart upstairs and go to my room.
     
    I have an idea. If this guy is intent on stalking me, I can call the cops if I suspect anything suspicious. He’ll be charged with breaking-and-entering if he attempts to get inside my house. And I can call the cops and inform them of any suspicious behavior outside my house if I’m threatened. I don’t have to explain to them that I suspect it’s the same guy I hitched a ride with Saturday night. I’ll tell the cops someone is lurking around and the police will come and search the perimeter of my house.
     
    I’m empowered and less afraid knowing I can call the police without having to reveal my stupid mistake Saturday night. He has no right messing with me and if he does, he’s going to find himself in a heap of trouble.
     
    It’s nine-thirty when I call Jack. He’s finished studying and asks to come over. He can’t stay long but insists on seeing me. He tells me he forgot to give me something. Intrigued, I invite him over and hang up. What’s he going to give me? While I’m brushing my teeth and rechecking my appearance, my iPhone rings. Traci.
     
    Excited, she divulges all the details of her date with Carlos. She’s talking fast and I imagine her pacing in her room, or jumping on her bed. I’m happy for her. I can tell she had a great time by the way she’s describing him. She says he paid and he put his arm around her in the movie theatre but didn’t kiss her. She deserves a great guy in her life after the way Steve dumped her. We plan on meeting the next morning at school to get coffee at the Coffee Cart before first period.
     
    I spray a light fragrance on my wrists and the back of my neck then go downstairs to wait for Jack to arrive. Rory is in the dining room working on her laptop. She looks up momentarily, then resumes typing. More legal work, I suspect.
     
    Jack’s car pulls up and I meet him outside.
     
    “Hi again,” he says and kisses me.
     
    It’s chilly outside so I lead him into the house. Rory waves hello but doesn’t say anything when we head upstairs to my room. Mom and Dad allow me to have boys in my room as long as my bedroom door remains open. Tonight, I close it.
     
    Without speaking, Jack reaches into his jeans pocket and pulls out a small box wrapped in purple paper.
     
    “What’s this?” I ask in wonder as he hands the gift box to me.
     
    “It’s for you. Go ahead, open it,” he encourages so I carefully unwrap the paper and open the box. My eyes widen in surprise.
     
    “Jack, it’s beautiful.” Gingerly I extract the thin gold bracelet and examine the gold charm attached to it. It’s engraved, I love you forever . “I love it.” I gush and kiss him. I hold out my wrist and ask him to clasp it on.
     
    “I wanted to get you something special. We’ve been friends for such a long time and having you as my girlfriend is more than I could have ever imagined. I mean, I definitely imagined it, and hoped you’d be my girlfriend one day, but I want you to know, no matter what happens between us, I’ll always love you.”
     
    His words are touching and take me by complete surprise. “I feel the same way, Jack. Thank you so much.”
     
    He’s