The leap of faith

Chapter three

Harley

"You are late,'' Char tells me with an eye roll. She is in the kitchen, which is a mess by the way.

I look around in search of mother, she is not home.

"I was studying and I am only late by ten minutes,'' I retort.

Dad is not here yet.

She is panicking like she always does. Char likes perfection. She wants everything to be in the order that it is in her head. If things don't go her way, she panics—like she is doing right now.

"Good thing I told you to come home an hour earlier,'' she smiles as she grabs a couple of plates and walks out of the kitchen. My eyes roam around, the table is set.

Everywhere looks so clean.

I haven't seen this place this clean in a long time.

This is weird but I get it. everyone is excited. We haven't seen him in a long time. char said we shouldn't expect him to be the same. Mom hasn't talked to me since I was expelled. She is still upset with me and I have been getting the silent treatment from her.

I don't want her to tell dad all the things that I know that she probably has already told him.

I want to do better but I also know that it won't happen overnight.

"Where's mom?'' I ask.

She looks up as she drops the plates on the table which is already set and full of food.

There is an hour left, why is she already setting the table "She went to pick him up. you should freshen up and come help me. you don't want dad seeing you with all that sweat all over your body,'' she points and sure enough, I have sweat stains under my pits. The sun was really hot today and my shirt.

She is looking at me like I stink but that is just how Char is. she acts like she is better than everyone but I can't help but love her despite that.

"Sure,'' I walk away from her.

"Take your bag with you, don't leave a mess,'' she shouts at me as I get to the front of my room. I turn around and walk back to the living room. I pick up my bag and stick my tongue out at her as I go back to my room. The light is off, the room is dark. I close my eyes and sit down on the bed.

The sky is already dark. It is just six. Lately, it feels like we have been getting shorter days and longer nights. There is just this darkness that has been looming and it has left an eerie feeling inside me.

I can't help but think about the man at the café. His eyes have been stuck in my head. He watched me all through the day. I watched him watch me, despite the warning I got from Mateo.

I haven't ever been interested in guys. I haven't even thought about it. in school, the guys would always stick around me. they would always try to get the girl that wasn't approachable. I used to hear the talks. They wanted me because I didn't want them. they would make bets, wagers, see who could fuck the virgin.

I hated high school.

Getting expelled felt like a blessing and a curse. I was so happy to leave that place, even though I knew it would create a strain in my relationship with my mother. Even though I knew it would end up delaying my escape from this house and the freedom that I want.

I didn't fight it.

I didn't try to clear my name.

I just wanted to leave that place and my wish came through. now, I am getting distracted again by a man of all things. I have never even thought about anyone in that way.

I have never wanted to get to know someone as much as I want to know him. He was watching me, which would mean that he is just as interested in me.

The darkness that covers the sky tonight, seems to feel like the same darkness that surrounded him. he was sexy, mysterious and the most attractive man I have ever met. I have met a lot of guys and none of the boys in my school can even stand next to him.

"Fucking hell,'' I run my hands through my hair as I try to take steady breaths. I am daydreaming about a guy that probably doesn't even know I exist. I stand up from my bed, ignoring the fact that the light is still off, and walk into the bathroom. I open the water as I take off my clothes and my mind roams back to the café. Back to the mysterious man.

Mateo said I should ignore him, that he doesn't seem to be good. I asked him how he could tell and he said, people, have been talking. Somehow, death has been everywhere he has been.

It makes no sense.

I know what it is to be in the middle of rumors. I know what it feels like for people to talk about you, makeup stories, paint you out to be a monster. I have been in his shoes and it is not a pretty thing. I don't want to judge him because of what people have said.

I want to know him.

I want to talk to him.

It makes no sense that I have this strong desire to hear his voice. I know that I should probably just focus on what is important but I have made a mental note.

I need to talk to him.

If I ever see him again.

If I get the opportunity to be in the same space as this sexy man again. I will talk to him. I will take it as fate, as a sign from God in heaven. I will take it as my destiny.

I will talk to him.

I will take a leap of faith.