"Blue!" Chuck shouted as soon as he got out of the car.

I turned and walked towards the house, and when I hid under the porch, I beckoned to Kendil. I heard Chuck beckoning them behind me.

"I'll pretend I didn't see you behind the wheel, Zat." He said disapprovingly.

"In the reserve, we'll get our driver's license much earlier." Kendil said. That's when I opened the door and brushed my hair on the porch.

"Of course you will." Chuck laughed.

"I've got to get around anyway." No matter how many years have passed, I can still easily recognize Blue's sonorous voice. The voice made me suddenly feel a few years younger, still a child.

I walked into the house, left the door open, and turned on the light before hanging up my jacket. Then I stood in the door and watched anxiously as Chuck and Kendir helped Blue out of the car and into a wheelchair.

When the three of them rushed in, shaking the rain off their bodies, I got out of the way.

"It was a real surprise." Chuck said.

"It's been a long time." Blue replied. "I hope that time wasn't too bad." His black eyes swept over me again, and the look in his eyes was hard to read.

"No, that's great. I hope you can stay and watch the game. ”

Kendil grinned. "I think the plan is like this -- our TV broke down last week."

Blue grimaced at his son. "And, of course, Kendil is looking forward to seeing Imia again." He added. Kendil frowned and quickly lowered his head. I suppressed a surge of self-reproach. Maybe on the beach I behaved too convincingly.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, turning and walking towards the kitchen. I tried to escape Blue's gaze.

"No, we just ate it before we came." Kendir replied.

"What about you, Chuck?" As I turned the corner, I shouted over my shoulder.

"Of course." He replied. His voice moved in the direction of the vestibule and the television. I could hear Blue's wheelchair following along.

The cheese sandwich was already in the frying pan and I was slicing a potato when I sensed someone standing behind me.

"So, how have you been?" Kendil asked.

"Pretty good." I said with a smile. It's hard to resist his enthusiasm. "What about you? Is your car ready? ”

"Nope." He frowned. "I also need some spare parts. The car was borrowed by us. He pointed with his thumb in the direction of the front yard.

"I'm sorry. I don't see anything...... What are you looking for? ”

"Brake cylinders." He grinned. "Is there anything wrong with that truck?" He added suddenly.

"Nope."

"Oh. I'm just a little skeptical because you don't open it anymore. ”

I looked down at the frying pan and picked up a corner of a sandwich to check the down-facing side. "I took a friend's car to school."

"Good car." Kendil's voice was full of admiration. "But I don't know the guy who was driving. I think I know most of the kids around here. ”

I nodded vaguely, keeping my head down, and turned the sandwich over.

"My dad seems to have met him somewhere."

"Kendil, can you hand me a few plates? They're in the cupboard on the sink. ”

"Okay."

He walked over in silence to get the plate. I hope he doesn't talk about it now.

"So, who is he?" He asked, placing the two plates on the table next to me.

I sighed in frustration. "Roger? Wright. ”

To my surprise, he burst out laughing. I looked up at him, and he looked a little embarrassed.

"Well, I guess that explains everything." He said. "I'm still wondering why my dad is acting so weird."

"Quite right." I feigned an innocent look. "He doesn't like the Wrights."

"Superstitious old man." Kendil grumbled in a barely audible voice.

"Don't you think he'll say anything to Chuck?" I couldn't help but ask, and the words blurted out in a low voice.

Kendil stared at me for a moment, and I couldn't read the look in his dark eyes. "I'm not sure." He finally replied. "I think last time Chuck reprimanded him severely. They haven't spoken much since then - it's kind of a reunion tonight, I think. I don't think he'll bring it up again. ”

"Oh." I said, trying to make myself sound a little more indifferent.

I've been in the antechamber since I brought the food to Chuck. I pretended to be watching the game as Kendil chattered and talked to me. I was listening intently to the adults' conversations, looking for any indication that Blue was trying to tell me, trying to figure out ways to interrupt him when he spoke.

It was a long night. I had a lot of homework to do, but I didn't dare let Blue and Chuck be alone. Eventually, the game was over.

"Will you and your friends go to the beach again recently?" Kendil asked as he pushed his dad over the threshold.

"I'm not sure." I didn't answer positively.

"It's so much fun, Chuck." Blue said.

"Come back in the next game." Chuck encouraged.

"Of course, of course." Blue said. "We will come here again. Good night. His gaze raced to mine, and his smile vanished. Beware, Imiah. He added solemnly.

"Thank you." I whispered, looking away.

When Chuck waved to the driveway, I walked straight upstairs.

"Wait, Imia." He said.

I winced. Did Blue get his hands on it before I even went to the living room to join them?

"I didn't get a chance to talk to you tonight. How was your day? ”

"Good." My feet landed on the first step, and I hesitated, searching for details I could safely share. "My badminton team won four games."

"Wow, I didn't know you could play badminton."

"Well, I really won't. But my partner is pretty good. I confessed.

"Who's that?" He asked with sexual interest.

"Uh...... Jack? Pascal. I reluctantly told him.

"Oh yes - you said you were friends with the Pascals." He was in good spirits. "Nice family." He pondered for a moment. "Why don't you invite him to this weekend's ball?"

"Daddy!" I shouted. "He was almost dating my friend Mary. Also, you know I can't dance. ”

"Oh yes." He muttered to himself. Then he smiled at me in confession. "Well, I guess you'll be pretty good going out on Saturday...... I'm planning to go fishing with some friends. The weather should be quite warm that day. But if you want to postpone your journey until someone can go with you, I'll stay home. I know I'm always leaving you alone here. ”

"Dad, you're doing pretty well." I smiled, hoping that my relief didn't show it. "I never mind being alone - I'm too similar to you." I winked at him, and he showed that squinting smile.

I slept better that night and was so tired that I didn't dream. When I woke up on this pearly gray morning, I was overjoyed. I found myself whistling as I pinned my bangs back with a clip, and then blew again later as I jumped downstairs. Chuck noticed.

"You seem to be alive and well this morning." After breakfast, he commented.

I shrugged, "It's Friday." ”

I was in a rather hurry so that I could be ready the second Chuck left. I packed my bag, put on my shoes, brushed my teeth, and even rushed out the door as soon as I was sure Chuck was out of sight, but Roger was quicker. He was already waiting by his silver glittering car. The windows were rolled down and the engine was turned off.

This time I didn't hesitate and quickly climbed into the passenger seat and saw his face faster. He smiled at me and stopped my breathing and heartbeat. I can't imagine a more beautiful angel than him. There's nothing more in him that could be improved.

"How did you sleep?" He asked. I doubt he knows how moving his voice is.

"Good. How was your last night? ”

"It's fun." He had a pleasant smile. I feel like I'm missing a secret joke.

"May I ask what you did?" I asked.

"I can't." He grinned. "It's still mine today."

He wanted to know more about other people's things today: more about Tia, her hobbies, the things we did together in our free time. And one of my grandmothers, one of my few friends at school, embarrassed me to ask about the boys I dated. I'm glad I never really dated anyone, so this particular conversation didn't last long. He seemed to be as surprised as Mary and Reilis at my lack of romance.

"So you've never met the person you wanted?" He asked in a serious tone, which made me wonder what he was thinking.

I replied honestly and reluctantly. "Not in Draco City."

His lips were pressed tightly together, forming a resolute line.

We're in the cafeteria at the moment. The day passed again in a blur, which would soon become routine. I took advantage of his brief pause to take a bite of the bagel.

"Today I have to let you drive back by yourself." As I chewed, he announced, without mentioning any reason.

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm going to go out with Alice after lunch.

"Oh." I blinked, bewildered and disappointed. "It's okay, it's not too far to walk back."

He frowned impatiently at me, "I didn't plan on letting you walk home. We'll pick up your truck and leave it here for you. ”

"I didn't have the keys with me." I sighed. "I really don't mind walking back." What I really mind is missing out on time with him.

He shook his head. "Your truck will be here, and the keys will be in the ignition - unless you're afraid someone is going to steal it." He burst out laughing at the thought of this.

"Okay." I agreed, pouting. I'm pretty sure my keys are in the pocket of the jeans I wore on Wednesday, under a pile of clothes in the laundry room. Even if he could break into my house, or in whatever way he had planned, he would never find it. He seemed to sense the provocation in my agreement. He laughed conceitedly.

"So, where are you going?" I asked in the most casual tone I could control.

"Hunting." He replied coldly. "If I'm going to be alone with you tomorrow, I'll have to take all precautions." His expression became sloppy...... And pleading. "You can cancel your plan at any time, you know."

I lowered my head, scared of his persuasive eyes. I refused to admit that I was afraid of him, no matter how real the danger was. It doesn't matter. I repeat it in my head......