Chapter 3: Love My Neighbor?! >:[

Dear Journal,

Last night's dinner was HOR-RI-BLE. My Dad and that kid's dad are actually starting to “click”. Even Mom seems to really like Mrs. Roscue, too. Definitely not a good sign. My parents both kept on trying to force me to talk to Rhys during the evening, but I avoided him quite well and their persistent stares. Even today at church, Pastor Reynolds kept on talking about 'loving your neighbor'. Mom poked me hard in the ribs every time he mentioned it. Can things just get any worse? So after church, mom forced me to go outside and show Rhys around the neighborhood. I told her I wouldn't and that probably wasn't the best idea. In an instant, she shoved me out the house. And as quick as lightning, she had locked the front door, back door, and even the windows! I didn't have anywhere else to escape, except my tree house. But that hideout was soon to be bombarded by none other than Rhys....

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I sat with my knees tucked between my arms as I frowned at the subject when he emerged from his front door. I was watching him carefully through a crack in the west wall of the tree house, as he began to approach our front yard. Rhys had his headphones on again, and he was blaring his music. I sat very still. Careful not to make any sound as he walked leisurely passed the tree house to knock on the front door. My mind was racing. If I was quiet enough until he left, I could quickly jump out of the tree house and escape through the secret tunnel behind Mr. Gregory's backyard. Zac, Lina, and I had found it the day we met, and that secret sealed our friendship forever. We used to go there almost every day and just talk about everything. I smiled sadly at the memory. It was so unfair that they had to leave. It was then I had shifted my weight and the boards began to creak beneath me. I waited in horror, expecting Rhys to turn around and find my hiding spot. But a strange thing happened. Rhys didn't turn around. No, he stood very still. His hand had stopped in mid air as he was reaching for the door bell. A smile began to mold into his cheeks. I gulped, and chills crept up my spine. Suddenly, he put his hands into his jacket pockets, and swiftly strode away beyond his house. I breathed a sigh of relief. Why had I been so scared? He couldn't have heard me. He couldn't have. He had been blaring his music. I had heard it. I knew I did! And why did he smile? I knew something was up. But I didn't really want to find out what. After waiting for a few more minutes, I nimbly climbed out of the tree house and fled down the sidewalk.....

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Sitting patiently behind the fence that separated my house with Allie's I watched the tree house. The minutes dragged on and I smiled. She was pretty stubborn. Finally, there was movement. I watched as Allie's head crept out of the door cautiously, searching for watchful eyes. She didn't see me. In swift movements, she was down onto the grass and speeding down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. My smile deepened, and the thrill of a challenge sparkled in my eyes....

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I walked quickly through the dark alley way, cutting through Mr. Gregory's backyard, just in case someone had followed me. It wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do knowing his history, but me and my friends had always made sure to change our routes each time so our secret would be safe. As I crept through the alley, gnats and mosquitoes buzzed eagerly in front of my face. I swatted them away and quickened my pace. Usually, it was noisy with cats and mice scrambling around for food. But today, it was strangely quiet and empty. Something wasn't right. I could feel it in my bones. My bones always start to feel numb when I sense something strange. And then, I knew. I wasn't alone. 

Anger boiled inside of me. There was no way I'd let anyone find out about our secret. I had to keep it for Zac and Lina. I stopped walking. Yes, I heard them clearly now. The footsteps stopped. Slowly, I turned my head slightly to the right. The light was dim, but I knew I saw a shadow move as the figure hid quickly behind a dumpster. Inwardly, I scoffed. So you want to stalk me, huh? I thought with a competitive grin. Well then, let's just see if you can keep up! I reached down and pretended to tie my shoelaces. I couldn't see the person. Was it a girl or boy? I never talked to anyone in my neighborhood now. At least, not if I could avoid it. And at school I was practically a loner now that Zac and Lina were gone. And it couldn't be Emily, Rachael, or Candace. They lived in the three houses across the street from me. They were the complete definition of girly girls. They wouldn't be caught dead, in this dirty ole' alley. Well whoever it was, I was gonna show em' just who they were messing with. 

With quick ease, I relaxed into starting position for running like I did when I used to do track. Closing my eyes, I imagined the dirty alley into the beautiful track field at school. My coach was standing beside me and the rest of the competitors. His lips chewed his silver whistle lazily, as he made us wait for his signal. He always liked to make us runners more tense, to see which ones could stay calm and focused. And then at last, he blew his whistle. I ran like lightning! As I continued to imagine, I saw my friends sitting in the bleachers, cheering me on like they used to do. I jumped over trash bags and card board boxes obstructing my way, my eyes set toward the finish line. I sprinted in between two buildings which I knew were “Timmy's Ice Cream Parlor” and “Ms. Georgia's Laundromat”. My heart beat wildly, and I panted as I stopped to look behind me. Not a soul in sight. I flashed a victorious smile and slowly turned towards the busy street. Stuffing my hands comfortably in my pockets, I held my head high in triumph. I was feeling pretty good outfoxing that nosy busybody. And then suddenly, my cocky expression shattered like glass. Because standing right in front of me, was: Rhys. He was staring at me with that annoying quizzical look again! A scowl chizzled its way between my jaws. Why—of all people—did I have to run into him?

“Hey,” he said with and impish grin.

I didn't reply. I tried to walk around him but he blocked my way with his arm.

“What do you want?” I asked finally.

“You're supposed to be showing me around the neighborhood.”

“Oh, please! You're a teenager! Go do it yourself!” I growled viciously.

He grinned at me with a queer expression. “Well if I were you,” he drawled, “I'd do what your mom says. If she's like my mom, she'll lock you out for days.”

A memory formed into my mind. I had been locked out of the house before by my mom. But Zac and Lina had been with me so we all slept in the tree house together. I almost smiled at the memory, but stopped remembering Rhys was still next to me. The fact that he thought our moms were alike disturbed me. But I remained silent, even though inwardly I was fuming. I didn't feel like being locked outside now that I was alone. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply.

“What do you want me to show you?”I asked quietly.

“Why don't you just show me where kids our age hang out around here,” he offered.

That wasn't so bad, but I still didn't want to. But I finally relented.

“I guess I'll show you Timmy's Parlor first...” I said walking dejectedly towards the building. Rhys grinned and followed behind. 

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A man stood on the other side of the street watching Allie and Rhys enter the Ice Cream shop. At a first glance, you'd probably just consider him as an ordinary bum on the street. But underneath his ratty clothes poked a shiny pair of Louis Vuitton shoes. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his Blackberry, and dialed a number. 

"I've seen the target," he said with a malicious grin, holding the cell phone to his ear. "Looks like he's already trying to make a new friend.....No, she doesn't look like any trouble..... Yeah, they chose a quiet place to start a new life in....Don't you worry... We'll get him back in no time...."