Chapter 4

    Sylvia's P. O. V

   I can't believe it!?

   Alex Jones, the most popular guy in Rocksville, is right in front of me. My heart went giddy and I could feel the butterflies in my tummy. This is too good to be true!

   " Uh.... Are you okay?" He asked again, jolting me out of my trance.

   " Uh? Oh... Um, yes. I-I'm fine." I stuttered, my eyes widened and my cheeks heating up. Then, remembering that Tasha might still be around, panic set in.

   " I-I'm sorry, I have to go now..." I quickly said and rushed out of the hallway. 

   Oh God... I'm so late for class.

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      Alex's P. O. V

   Tilting my head, I watched as she rushed out of the hallway. Is she okay? Why is she in a hurry?

  " Hmm, whatever, " I muttered and went to my class.

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      Sylvia's P. O. V

   School dragged on wearily after that, and soon enough it was closing time. I was elated for that because it meant that I wouldn't be in these wall for the next few hours and I was really looking forward to that. I quickly packed my books and made to head home straight. On my way out I spotted Patrick, he sat on a raised pavement, shielded by a tree.

    Remembering we didn't get to talk properly yesterday, I decided to try again. Hopefully, he'll listen to me this time around. But when I got closer to him, he was already leaving.

   " Hey... Wait up!" I called after him but it's either he didn't hear or just didn't want to reply. I sighed in exasperation. Why is everyone making things so hard for me? I was about turning when I spotted a crumpled note that fell from the raised pavement down to the floor. Curious, I made to pick it up. I straightened it out and as I read it, I realized it was an attempt at a letter. It read;.  

   📃📃📃

   Sorry, I didn't mean to.....

  

   I was confused. What did this mean? Not bothering much about it, I folded the piece of paper and put in my suit pocket, heading home.

   I arrived home and, once again, my mum was packing her homemade sweaters. Ever since she opened an online shop, she's been making more sales.

  " Hey mom.... " I greeted her, heading to the kitchen for a drink as I was really thirsty.

  " Hi honey... How was school today?"

    " Fine. What about you?"

   " Well, business was moving today and now that I think about it, I might need some help to deliver all of these items "

   " I can help." I offered. She gazed at me fondly.

    " Thanks for volunteering. I really need it."

    " No problem, it's just the two of us,, anyway." Yeah, my dad died when I was really little, so it's just been me and my mom sticking it out for a very long time. My mum can't afford a delivery man, so we do all our delivery ourselves. Personally, I think it's better this way.

   " Great, you'll be delivering this parcel-" pointing to the one on her far right, " to this address. I'll handle the rest."

   " After dinner?" I asked.

   " Yeah, after dinner."

    " Great, I'll go freshen up and be down in a minute. " 

   " Okay dear, will be waiting. " My mum called after me.

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     Once I was through with dinner, I picked up the parcel my mum told me to deliver and the address attached to it. So I could get there faster as I didn't have any money to board a cab. I took my bicycle and rode it. With the parcel safely strapped to my back, I wore my earphones and began humming to the tunes playing out. 

    It wasn't hard finding the address, but what stood out to me was the person the parcel was for. It was definitely a high-class person in the society cause the house was huge! A far cry from the one my mom and I were living in. I smiled internally. My mum is really doing great if someone from this calibre is shopping from here.

   I got down from the bicycle and pressed on the door bell. A huge man answered, his face stiff.

   " Yes, what can I do for you?" He asked, his voice curt.

   " Uh... Good evening. I want to deliver this parcel here. It's a delivery. " 

    The man peered at me for a while before opening the door. I bowed as I walked, surveying the compound. Someone could get lost in here.

   Finally, I got to the doorstep and pressed the doorbell.

   " Coming..." A small girly voice answered.

   The door opened and a small head peeked out, her eyes smiling at me. She had the most beautiful Hazel eyes I've ever seen.

   " Hello." I greeted, instantly smiling.

   " Hi. Who are you?" She asked.

   " I'm Sylvia. I came to deliver this parcel. Someone from this house bought some sweaters from my mom. " 

   " That would be my mom. Come on in. " She said, opening the door wider.

   " Thank you." I replied, walking in. " Woah!!" I gasped, surveying the interior of the house.

    The little girl giggled beside me. " Everyone has that same reaction when they walk in. I like to call it 'money talking. '

   " It definitely is." I replied.

   " What's your name, sweetie? "

   " Hazel. "

   " Pretty. Matches your eyes. Where should I put this? "

   " Um... Put it over there. " She said, pointing at a raised pavement in the guest living room. I dropped the parcel where she pointed. 

   " I'll be leaving now." I said. " Hopefully we'll get to meet again. " I made to over, but she stopped me.

   " Don't go just yet. I haven't got anyone to talk to. Just stay a little while... And help me out with drawing."

   " O-okay, if you want that."

   " Yay!" she cheered and hurried forward, me tagging along behind her.

   " Hazel, wait up!" Once we got to the main living room, she stopped and pointed to scattered pencil colours on the floor.

   "Ah... I see. You were drawing before I came here."

   " Yes I was. " She replied smiling. Then It dropped. " It gets awfully lonely in here sometimes when my parents aren't home and my brother is not around either. So maybe you could fill that up. You seem nice."

    I was going to ask who her brother was and why he would want to leave this girl alone here, but I stopped as my eyes caught something. It was a picture frame with someone in it really familiar. Curious, I went over to pick it up. 

   What I saw made my heart skip a beat. Shocked, I turned to Hazel.

   " Um, Hazel... Is this where Alex Jones lives?" I asked.

   " Yes, he's my brother." She replied proudly. I widened my eyes. Oh no.

   I didn't get enough time to recover as I began to hear approaching footsteps.

   " Hazel, Hazel... Where are you?" His rich baritone voice boomed in the room, and my hands became sweaty. He can't see me like this. I don't even have my lucky lip gloss on!!

    He soon appeared into the room looking all breathtaking and ready to go out and I, frozen to the spot, just kept staring at me.

   " There you are!" He said to Hazel. " Was looking all over for you."

   " Alex, look, I made a new friend. Her name's Sylvia."

    He turned to me and I managed a small wave. He looked confused at first, but his eyes soon dawned in recognition. My heart began pounding. Oh God, oh God, oh God...

   " You again?!" He asked, surprised

    Oh boy....