Chapter 4

Crissy’s Point of View

While lying in bed, I keep on thinking about what had happened yesterday. Taking a shower didn’t clear my head as I wanted it to. Deciding to take a walk through in the forest. Knowing I wouldn’t get lost; I knew these woods from the back of my hand. Usually when I wanted to get out of the house, I would take a walk. Having my usual routine of going to work then waiting for Thomas to finish his after school activities. I needed a break from it. I got dressed and went into the woods.

I have a beautiful spot I always go to. A beautiful dam, with a small waterfall. You are able to see the entire town from there. About two miles from my house. It doesn’t sound far, but if you are unfit, it can get excusing.

When I got to my favourite spot, I found a spot to sit and staring out over our little town, and there was a little barrier. This is the only spot in the woods, excluding my house, where you can see the entire town. The water was still, only the sound of the waterfall in the background. I was trying to clear my head. Suddenly, I heard a branch breaking. Turning around to see what it was, but I couldn’t see anything.

No one ever comes into the woods; not that I know of. Knowing this is because the forest is a six-mile drive. Hearing another branch break, I start to panic, and my breaths got faster and louder. Trying to search from where and whom or what it might be coming from. The next moment as I turn around, making my way to my feet. Keeping my eyes on the spot I thought the sound was coming from.

I spot a set of eyes looking right at me from the bushes. Trying to stay calm, but it starts to growl the next moment. These eyes start to emerge from the bushes.

A wolf.

A white wolf: it was hard to miss him. This was bad; there was no way I could outrun a wolf; at this point, I think it knows the woods better than I do.

Trying to keep my breaths steady and not to make any sort of movement as it came closer. The next moment the wolf looks like it had heard something and just runs away. I sigh in relive. Turning around, I bump into someone.

“What the fuck!” I got a major fright. Grabbing my chest, while bending over placing my other hand on my leg.

“You shouldn’t be out here.” The man says, with anger in his voice.

Looking up to see who it was, it was my rude neighbour. I didn’t catch his name that day.

“By the way you’re dressed. I would say you shouldn’t be here.” I respond rudely.

He looks down at his clothes. “True, but it is not safe in the woods as you could see.”

I stare back to where the wolf ran off to. “Here isn’t supposed to be wolves. Wolves were never reported in the areas. I always come here, and it is the first time seeing that.”He just stares at me in silence.

“Hello? Aren’t you going to say something, like what is your name?” I say uncivilised.

“No, you don’t have to know my name.” He starts walking away, “I would get out of the forest if I were you” The tone in his voice stays the same.

“Hey, no.” I grab his arm, and he then turns around slowly.

“Listen, love. You don’t want to know me. I’m not your prince in shiny armour.” He replies rudely.

“I never…” he cut me off mid-sentence.

“Trust me. I’m not someone you want to know. Okay?” I stare blankly at him, and he removes my hand from his arm. Touching my hand with only his index finger and thumb. Releasing it as if I was a piece of trash.

He starts to walk away, I decide no, I would find out his name, and he couldn’t stop me. I sprint to get next to him; as we made our way through the woods, I look at him and introduce myself. He just ignores me. Keeping his eyes locked on the path.

“Hey, you owe me an apology, by the way.” I scold him.

He stops then turns to look at me, “Why?” he asks. Folding his arms.

“For slamming the door in my face the other day,” he stares at me as I spoke.

“I apologize.” He then starts to walk away again.

The nerve of this guy! Why is he so fucking rude?

“What the fuck is wrong with you, I’m trying to have a conversation with you, and you keep walking away. Didn’t your parents teach you manners?” as I keep rambling. He grabs me and kisses me. Standing stunned for a few seconds, staring at him in shock.

“I’m sorry, happy?” He says with frustration, and he starts walking away.

“What the actual fuck! You can’t just go around kissing random people.” I scold him. “I’m still not accepting your apology, just because you are rude and a big giant dick.” I froze, realizing what I had just said. Knowing this won’t end good.

He stops in his tracks. As he turns around, he looks pissed. I start to get worried; I didn’t know what to do at this moment. I didn’t know what this man was capable of. He looks me straight in the eyes, and he began to speak.

“My name is Michael, Michael Henderson. I apologize for being a dick, as you would call it. I didn’t mean to kiss you, I just wanted you to shut up, but clearly, it didn’t work. So, I hope this will make you happy.”

I didn’t have any words. I just stare at him, realising his eyes got even bluer. He lets out a sigh.

“Alright, I see you’re a bit scared of me now. Just understand that I’m not the best person to befriend. So please let me be, and I won’t bother you.” His entire tone changes. This time his apology seemed legitimate.

Standing there stunned. I open my mouth.

“Fine, if you want to be that way. I won’t bother you, but don’t come crying when you want to redo that horrible kiss.” Saying this I stood firm, keeping my pose. Pretending not to be afraid of him.

He gave me a grin and walked off.

Fuck, did I flirt with this guy? Why would I do that? I stomp my feet like a little child and went home. When I arrive home, I lied on the couch and stare at the ceiling. Henderson? Why does that sound so familiar? I heard that name somewhere. The next moment the doorbell rings. Opening the front door, there was a package with a note on it, I pick up the letter, and it read, I apologize for my inappropriate behaviour. I do hope you can forgive me. Michael Henderson. A smile appeared on my face.

I open the package. It was bath soap, lotions, and for some weird and unexplained reason, a drawing of me; every single detail, from the little, tiny hairs to the folds around my mouth when I smile. Now I feel bad for calling him a dick. He deserved it at that moment. How can someone so rude be so nice at the same time?

Making my way to the kitchen, placing the box on the counter. Opening drawers one by one in search for a photo frame put the drawing in. Finally finding one. I place the photo in and place it on the coffee counter. I didn’t think there were still people that drew.

After placing the drawing on the counter, Thomas comes downstairs.

“Wow, who drew that?” He says with interest.

“Michael, one of my friends,” I respond with hesitation.

“Is it a special friend?” He winks at me.

“No, he is just a friend.” Making my way to the porch.

“Come on, Crissy. It would be best if you started seeing someone. I’m not a little kid anymore.” He says with confidence.

“You’re twelve. So far, I can remember you are still a child.” I look at him with annoyance.

He stares at me, annoyed. “Fine, I will prove I’m not a little kid anymore.”

He storms off into the kitchen and made me a cup of coffee. He had never used the kettle before. He brings the cup to me, and almost spitting it out when tasting it. It didn’t taste delightful. I had to keep it in so that he didn’t feel bad.

“This doesn’t prove anything,” I say, displeased.

Thomas picks up Max and storms off to his room. Children these days can’t handle criticism.

It was starting to get late; I should probably begin with dinner. Gathering everything for lasagne. Throwing everything together, waiting for it to cook. The timer went off, meaning it was done. I call Thomas to come and eat.

Making his way down the stairs still not pleased with me. Taking his plate and starts gobbling it down. He didn’t speak to me for the entire time at the dinner table.

After we finished eating, Thomas went straight to his room. I’m not going to react to his actions. He is a teenager. They are always overdramatic.

Tonight I wasn’t in the mood to sit and read my book, after everything that had happened today. I just wanted to sleep. Making my way to my room I fell onto my bed, not even changing into my pyjamas. I fell asleep in an instant.