Chapter 20 - Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You

I looked down at the screen of my phone to check if I had gotten the right address. 438. The number was right, the street was right. I looked down again and saw the time. It was 1:13. Someone should be home.

On Friday, after Ella and I determined who does what on the project, I didn't get to settle with her a place where we would do things and discuss whatever needed to be discussed. Not even her phone number did I get. The girl flew away as soon as the bell rang, claiming she would be late for chemistry. That was probably true, but c'mon, it wouldn't even take two minutes.

I figured she was a very private person, who liked her own space and didn't like to deal with others. Either that or she simply had an aversion to me. So, as a guy who respects other people's limits, I asked a friend of hers for her address. I could have asked her number, but I didn't think we would get anywhere through the phone, so I decided to surprise her and come in person.

The neighborhood was quite familiar; I drove by every day to go to school. The house itself had a very simple aspect; it was a one-story construction, no balcony or porch, no front stairs, small windows and could use some new painting. I had been standing there for about 20 minutes and rang the bell probably 15 times. I even tried opening up the door, but it was locked. I moved to the side and took a few steps on the grass to try and see something through the window, but all I could see was a green cloth, which I assumed was a curtain.

Not wanting to give up yet, I tried the doorbell again. Nothing. I noticed a tiny mail slot placed lowly on the door and crouched down at its level. I tried to push it open, but it seemed to be stuck, so I pushed harder. I knew I looked like a burglar, but I just didn't want to leave without trying. I had come all this long, long way of a ten-minute ride and there was nothing to do at home. It wouldn't hurt to make a little extra effort.

"Can I help you, boy?" I heard a manly voice ask from behind me. Oh, nice. Maybe getting arrested would be a good pastime. I turned around after straightening myself up and was face to face with a middle-aged man. He was fairly tall and big and held grocery bags in each hand. One of them smelled like some type of bread. Baguette?

"Hi." I greeted, attempting to sound like I wasn't just peeking through the guy's mail slot two seconds ago. I cleared my throat and continued somewhat confidently, "Does Ella live here?" The man looked at me suspiciously, studying me before answering. I don't blame him, if a punk was invading my house I wouldn't be that nice either.

"Ella? No, there's no Ella here, man. Good luck on your search." He said and fished for a pair of keys in his pocket.

"Are you sure? Her last name is Carson." I talked to his backside while he opened the door. He then turned to face me again.

"Who are you?"

"My name's Collin. Um, Benson. I go to school with her and we have an assignment together." I looked at him straight in the eye as I spoke. He was a little bit scary, I'll admit. Dark eyes, strong nose and eyebrows, but he seemed to be a nice fella. Maybe it was the bread speaking, I wasn't sure.

"What school?" He asked. Okay, what is this? Is he FBI?

"Cedar Lake High." Would you like to know my GPA too, sir?

He hummed and answered, "Ella. Well, there's no Ella here. My daughter is Donny. I could call her for you if you want to see if she's who you're looking for. Maybe you're confused."

I was confused. I wasn't even sure what to call her before, but now I had no clue whatsoever. Her name was Donny?

"Yeah. I mean, yes sir, that would be good. Thanks." I began to walk in after him, but he stopped me.

"You should wait out here." He said and I didn't understand why. "It'll just be easier for you to go in case she's not your partner." He added. I doubted that explanation was honest, but obliged anyway.

I waited another five minutes, ten even, before almost pressing on the bell again, when the door slowly opened.

"Hi, Collin." It was her. Ella, or Donny, I didn't know, but it was the girl I was looking for. But she looked different. I could see large, dark circles under her brown eyes, even through her glasses. Her hair was messier than usual and her voice weaker and softer than usual, with a hint of grogginess in it. Had she been asleep? "Um, I didn't know you were coming here today. How... how do you know where I live?" She was definitely sleeping before I came here. Was that why no one opened the door?

It probably took me a while to answer her question, because she didn't wait for it. "Sorry, I look like a zombie, I know. I went to sleep quite late." She excused herself with a halfhearted laugh even before I asked her anything. Not that I would, anyway. Hey, have you ever watched The Walking Dead? You look just like the cast! Probably wouldn't sound nice.

"No, I... I'm sorry." Strangely, I was in a loss for words. What do you say to someone you just woke up at one in the afternoon? "I just thought we could start on the project today. I was free and I thought you'd be free too. You know, Sunday." I said, like it explained everything. It kinda did, actually. "Oh and your friend, she gave me your address."

"What friend?" She questioned, furrowing her brows. I could see the man from earlier behind her, sitting on the couch and watching us. Yeah, they undoubtedly were father and daughter.

"I didn't get her name." I answered truthfully.

"Was she kind of short, dark hair, spoke too fast?"

"Uh, yes." I remembered how the girl buzzed her words out nervously when I talked to her.

"Kathy." She simply said. I wouldn't be surprised if the school announced the sudden death of a Katherine next morning.

"You don't look very happy to see me, do you?" I laughed, trying to make her laugh too. It didn't do the job, cause she only gave me a shy smile.

"No, you just took me off guard. But it's fine, we can start today. Where would you like to do it?" She asked and walked out, closing the door behind her.

I tilted my head in confusion, "Here?" I asked rhetorically, pointing at the house.

She looked uneasy, "No, not in my house. Trust me, it's a disaster in there."

"That's okay, I won't judge. Promise." I said making the Scout gesture and stepped closer to her and the door. She stepped back and said something I couldn't make out. A fact about her was that she spoke really, really lowly. I realized that from the first day we spoke. Regardless of whatever she said, I stood my ground. Literally, I didn't move.

"Um. Well, okay." Victory. "But I'm warning you, it is messy." She told me seriously.

"And I'm telling you I don't mind at all," I smiled at her.

"Okay... don't say I didn't warn you." She turned around and fully opened the door this time, walking in. I laughed and followed her.

She was certainly making a big deal out of it.