chapter 37

The nightmares were getting more vicious as my father's death anniversary approached. I still didn't know what  I was going to do when the day came. I didn't know what I would do for JJ, I wanted to visit dad so bad but I didn't know if I had the strength to face it. 

My mum was making breakfast while talking to finn, I was quietly glaring at my sandwich not really in the mood to eat it, JJ was mindlessly eating his and barely paying attention, today's pill had made me more or less angry, I wanted to yell and fight but I also wanted to creep up an abandoned hole and cry myself to death, that was until I got a message from an unknown number 

Unknown: hey, are you busy today?

I contemplated replying,  staring at the text for what felt like hours. Could they be a serial axe killer, definitely  but  curiosity got the best of me.

Me: usually people start off by introducing themselves buddy.

I put my phone down and waited for the person's reply which didn't take long to pop up on my screen. 

Unknown: shit, It slipped my mind, it's Trevor. Are you busy? 

A small smile creeped up on me when I read his name and how he's always straight to the point. 

Me: Well, sounds like I am being missed. 

Trevor:  shut up Jenkins, I won't ask again.  

I roll my eyes at his bossiness but at this point I've learned that that's just how he communicates, he's very direct and sometimes it comes off as aggressive but he's honestly not that bad. I realised all this when I had breakfast at his house a few days ago. He would say something  like go take a shower in a very commanding tone but then he would lay out his clothes for me to choose from, then when I chose the black t-shirt he pulled it away and said I'd look better in the brown graphic t-shirt. I laughed at the memory, he is definitely very commanding, but it's sweet. 

Me: Ask nicely, Hill. 

Trevor: Jenkins... 

I giggled again imagining the glare that he must be sending his phone right now. 

Me: I am not busy, why?

Trevor: Great because I am outside your house, I want to take you somewhere. 

My heart thundered, is he asking me out on a date, definitely not, he's not the type, there's no way he likes me. 

He kissed you at that party last weekend.  My brain whispered. 

Well yeah but that was because I kissed him first and then clung to him like a leech. He's just being nice because he finds me comical. He did say that when we were hanging out at his place, can I even call it hanging out. I realised I was overthinking everything when I got another text from him asking if I was still there. 

Me: you better be outside, I am not freezing my butt off for nothing.

I replied and shot up from my seat preparing to walk away when my mother called my name. 

"Where are you going?" She asked and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. 

"Sierra wanted me to escort her to gift shop for Christmas," I lied and a full smile appeared on her face. 

"Am so glad you have such tasteful friends Lia, you should invite her over sometime."

"Whatever, bye JJ," I shrugged my mum off and kissed my brother's cheek before scampering off. 

As promised Trevor was outside sitting in his beat up truck waiting for me, I smiled, for some reason he seemed the type that would own an old beat up truck it added to the entire mystery honestly. 

I hurried inside because it was beyond cold where I was standing and he started the car as soon as my seatbelt was on. 

I smiled at him and he gave me a completely confused stare.

"Is something wrong with my face?" He asked and I laughed.

"No you idiot, when someone smiles at you it usually means they're happy to see you, you know if I didn't know where you lived Trevor I'd totally be sold that you live under a rock, just might be Patrick's neighbour," I said looking out the window, the smile still glued to my face, it's crazy how first my mood changed just by talking to him. 

"Did you just associate me with a cartoon character?" He asked, eyes focused on the road but he looked genuinely offended which made me laugh. 

"Did you just admit to watching spongebob square pants?" I mocked and he scoffed.

"I have little sisters, those things are unavoidable," he speaks and my eyes shoot up to him.

"You have little sisters, oh my God that's cute, how many?" 

"Two little devils that drive me absolutely insane, they live in San Diego with my Ma," he replies and I remembered the time I met him there during Thanksgiving, his eyes lit up when he talked about them, they must be dear to him. 

"You must love them," the statement came  out stupidly low, like something you'd notice for the first time, but what can I say, the man was constantly amusing me. 

"They're my world, you got any little devils?" he asked 

"Yah, one, he's called JJ, he's eight," I smiled at the thought of my little brother.

"You're the eldest," he said and I nodded, "you got the vibe, the mama bear thing where you're always looking out for people," he added and my head jolted to him. 

"And where do you get that?" 

"I've seen you with your friends, at school," 

"You notice me," it was meant to be inaudible, for my ears only but he clearly heard. 

"Everyone notices you Lia, you're kind of hard to miss," he answered, his eyes never leaving the road and a stupid blush tainted my cheeks, wow. 

We finally arrived at our destination and my face twisted in confusion. An animal shelter. 

"What are we doing here?" I asked as we made our way towards the shelter. 

"It's a cold season, most animals are getting really sick because of it and there's not enough facilities for all of  them, the owner Is hosting a two day adoption event so that he can give as many animals as possible to families that can care for them, we are here to help, I hope you like animals," he said and my eyes widened, I do love animals, but I know batshit about them. 

"Uhmmm Trevor, I am not really qualified for this, I like animals but I don't know much about them," I replied, scared that I was about to make a fool of myself. 

"I'll take you through the basics and if there's something you need to know just ask me, I'll be close to you, now relax, you got this," he said, giving me a little  push. 

The place was full, there were children, old people, teenagers, everyone honestly, one little bubble of animal lovers and it was heartwarming to say the least. There was a little girl on the ground playing with what looked like triplet hamsters. I smiled at the sight. 

"Lia, this is Riley, he owns this humble establishment," Trevor introduces me to a tall middle aged man that was wearing huge glasses and a friendly smile.  I smiled back and shook his hand as I introduced myself. 

"Lia thank you for volunteering especially in this crazy coldness, it means the world to us and these animals," 

"Anything for the furry buddies," I said, sending Trevor a stiff smile, he clearly doesn't know the meaning of volunteering, not that I hate being here, the place has a happy atmosphere and it honestly a great distraction from my problems but a little heads up would have been nice. 

"Well, I'll let you both get started, Trevor, you show her what to do,thanks again Lia," he smiled and left to attend to some customers. 

Trevor showed me exactly what I had to do which was pretty easy, hand out questionnaires to the people who want to adopt a pet and take their questionnaire to the vet for analysis, then sell  pet snacks and different pet toys, also showing little kids the different animals around for them to have more choices.  I honestly found myself wishing JJ was here, he would love to be surrounded by this many animals. 

By the time it was 6 I was whipped from being on my feet most of the day, but  I was also feeling extremely happy, it was totally worth it. 

"Am sorry I didn't tell you that you'd be volunteering," Trevor said as we walked to his truck. 

"Usually volunteering is someone's choice, you can't make that choice for someone," I said fake glaring at him. 

"I know, I just wanted to spend the day with you," he replied, starting the car and again I found myself blushing,he really doesn't get embarrassed at all. 

"Where are we going?" I asked, seeing we were taking a different route than the one that leads to my home. 

"Am buying you dinner to make up for  not asking for your opinion before bringing you here," he said and I scoffed. 

"Ohhh so you're apologising for not asking my opinion when you brought me to the shelter by again not asking for my opinion on whether I want to have dinner with you," I said playfully but he clearly didn't catch on because he gave me a worried look. 

"You don't want me to buy you dinner," he asked. He looked worried and that's when I realised he's completely oblivious to the fact that he can't just make decisions for people, I shook my head. 

" no, I'd love dinner, it would just be nice if you asked me before, just to make sure, I don't have any plans," I answered, explaining as I would to a child. 

"So you have plans?" He asked

"No, i just used it as an example, like next time you plan something without consulting me I might have plans and you'll feel disappointed," I say 

"So you'd like me to take you to dinner next time as well," he smirked at the road ahead and I shook my head. I really threw myself into that one. 

"Just drive," I said and he chuckled.