I'm taking Max to see Eli's family tomorrow, and I couldn't be any more nervous. Eli's family probably still hates me and blames me for Eli's death but we'll see how that works out. My nerves are everywhere.
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Alright. It's officially Wednesday, and I'm shaking in my seat as I wait for time to pass by before I meet Max at the town's park. I'm just sitting in my room while watching out the window.
I turn on my phone for a quick time check and see that I should probably leave now to get to the park on time.
I hop off the window seat and head out of my room, hoping that no one's home.
I run quietly down the stairs and reach the front door. I grab the doorknob but I don't turn it far before a hand comes quickly over my mouth and I'm pulled back. A blindfold is quickly tied around my eyes as I struggle to get out if whatever grasp I'm in.
"Be quiet." The person grumbles and I don't recognize their voice. I bite their hand. They bring it back in pain and I take this as my chance to get out of whatever situation I'm in. I turn around and kick at whatever is in front of me and feel something is hit. I rip the blindfold off of my face to see the mysterious person to find an familiar head of red hair.
"Parker?!" I say loudly with anger.
"I came to warn you." Parker starts.
"What? Why?" I ask, confused. Parker's voice is completely new to me. He never talks.
"I overheard Max and his other friend talking the other day. He's planning to manipulate you and- and harm your ex's family. He warned his other friend that he would stab your ex's parents. He said that you were leading him to the right place. He and your ex- Eli it was- had a dangerous past." Parker says quickly.
"Why? But why would Max do that? It doesn't make any sense." I say, shaking my head.
"Max is dangerous Ruby. I heard him mention making Eli lock himself in the school bathroom in fear before." Parker warns.
I nod. I need to talk to Eli about this later. "Uh- thank you. But, how did you know where I lived- wait- the door was locked! What the flip Parker?" I say angrily.
He shrugs sheepishly and holds up a paper clip.
"Parker!" I scold him, but I'm mostly joking this time. "What if- what if- my mom- was home? What if my dad was home?" I ask quickly and stare into Parker's deep brown eyes.
"I watched them leave in your dad's car." Parker says casually, as if he didn't practically stalk my family. If that's what I can even call my messed up home life.
I grumble and look at the floor as I clench and unclench my right fist. "How could he just go back to her." I mumble angrily to myself. I look up at Parker again. "Uh- thank you Parker, again. Should I warn Eli's family?" I ask and Parker nods and walks to the front door and opens it.
"You might want to get better security." Parker says and smirks. He starts closing the door behind him, but I stop him.
"Parker." I say, making him stop and look at me. "Be careful, you know. With Max, if he finds out."
"I will. Bye Ruby." Parker responds. "Wait- I have a plan. Can I come back in?" He asks as a light bulb goes off in his head.
"You never left." I respond.
He walks back in, taking careful steps. "I know a lot of people. I mean, a lot. There is this couple that could act as Eli's parents. You can take Max to this abandoned house we would use every now and then. Say it's theirs. I will tell them the plan while you text Max saying you can't meet him today. Tell him you will meet him this Saturday. That will give me time to negotiate with the family. They are amazing actors." Parker explains.
"So I text Max that I can't meet him today, tell him we'll do it on Saturday, but what is my excuse? That I'm sick?" I ask Parker.
"Tell him you've caught a fever and you can't make time until Saturday. Tell your parents that too. If this will play off, you shouldn't be at school tomorrow. I'll do the rest. I need your number though. For the address and time." Parker says sheepishly. He looks at me with his large eyes, his rectangle lease glasses resting on his nose.
Why do I believe him? Because he doesn't talk to me at all. Because he doesn't acknowledge me. Because- wait why? I don't want to be rude to Max. But I can't trust him if I'm being told he would stab my boyfriend's parents. Eli would never forgive me for letting that happen.
"I'm in. If this is what I'm being told, I'm not gonna let myself endanger my boyfr- ex-boyfriend's parents. Thank you so much Parker." I say, catching myself at almost saying boyfriend instead of ex. I'm not smiling, but I'm not frowning either. Why would I do either in this situation?
He nods. "So your number?" Parker asks.
"Right. Why don't I just put it into your phone?" I ask. I watch him grab his phone from the back pocket of his jeans.
He gets to what is probably where I add my number and hands it to me. "Here." He says and I nod and input my phone number.
I hand the phone back to him. "You can just text me the address and time when you feel like it. We're not in a total rush. I guess you have to go now?" I ask. I really need to talk to Eli.
"Uh, yeah. I'll text you some day this week. Remember you have to be sick tomorrow. I'll see you Wednesday at school." Parker says and I nod.
"Yeah. I'll do the microwave thermometer trick thing or just make myself throw up into a trash can or something. Bye Parker." I say finally and watch Parker start walking to the door.
"Bye Ruby." Parker says before he opens the front door and walks out, closing it behind him.
Wow, trying to kidnap me for a warning about someone I've learned to trust more than Parker. Max and I are so similar, but with my previous life, I have trust issues. I can't trust too many people anymore. My dad, even. He just forgave my mom like that.
Now, I just have to talk to Eli.