Guardians by Angely Cruz (best books under 200 pages txt) 📖

I sighed and closed the window. I returned to the bed and dropped myself on it.

I looked at the clock again, tick-tock, the red numbers 2:45 stared back at me.

I felt scared and alone, just like a five year old after watching Jeepers Creepers. I wanted to run into Ethan's room and demand he tell me who the neighbors are.

I wanted answers but I knew I needed to look for them the days I have here. I knew I was here for a reason, perhaps to uncover number 26 and to find out who that handsome creepy guy was.

~

I never saw him again. It had been a month of beach, fights with Ethan and boredom. I missed Georgia, to be honest. I called her five times a day and she called me back five more. She kept asking me about number 26 but my mind always wandered to the guy next door. I've slept only two hours for a week just waiting by the window for him to open his and tell me who he was, what he wants.

Two days before we went to leave, I got the courage to ask Ethan about the neighbors. It was a sunny say outside, like everyday. I went to the backyard where Ethan was at the barbeque making some hamburgers for a fine day out.

Ethan looked at me and smiled. "Good morning, sis, how you doing?"

I frowned, "Can I ask you something?"
He looked at me weirdly, but nodded anyway.

"The neighbors... who are they?"

Ethan started laughing like a maniac. He tried to stop but he looked at me and waves of laughter left his mouth again. When he controlled his outburst he looked at my impatient face and sighed.

"What neighbors, April? That house has been abandoned for six years."

I couldn't breath and I couldn't speak. My eyes felt rough and all I did was turn and run.

I heard Ethan calling for me, but I wouldn't turn back. I knew this wasn't the kind of problem I wanted in my life, nor this far away from home. I passed the kitchen and went up the stairs, hearing mom calling for me too but I ignored everything. I went inside my bedroom for the day and crashed on my bed.

Yesterday, Mom and Ethan came various times to my room asking what happened but I just wanted to be left alone. It seemed like I wouldn't sleep for the next week. I stood up and opened the door slowly. I looked around figuring Mom and Ethan were sleeping since it’s about 3:00am.

I climbed down the stairs and out the front door.

Everything was desserted and calm when my feet trembled down the porch and into the sidewalk. I passed the house next door and didn't even look at it. I found a sand path to the beach behind the row of homes and walked down into the beach breeze. I inhaled the dirty air and sat in the sand.

I heard footsteps behind me and before I knew it, someone threw themselves beside me on the sand. Startled, I jumped, trying to adjust my eyes in the dark.

My eyes met with someone, and I couldn’t believe it. The hazel eyes I’ve wanted so much were looking right back at me, smiling. He opened his mouth.
"April."

I jumped again. "Ho-how do you know my name?"

I was shaking now, I wasn't sure if it was because of the cold or because of his presence.

"I'm Sebastian. Look, don't talk. I-," I cut him off.
“Don't talk!" I yelled. "How can you tell me not to talk when you told me you freaking went into my bedroom and covered me with a blanket!"

I looked at him for answers, but he just laughed. Yes, Sebastian-I-Don't-Know-What, laughed.

I was livid, and got madder when he threw my notebook and a pen into my lap. I knew I had a confused look on my face.

"What is this, some kind of joke?" I stood up to leave. I was ready to allow my mind eat itself alive thinking who he might be. I was leaving tomorrow, I wasn’t meant to never come here and meet him.

"April, listen to me please. I'm Sebastian Sweet. I know you won't believe me, but just listen to me, okay. I know you saw me, that time in Toronto, watching you. You're my responsibility, April."

My face scrunched up, "I don't believe you. I'm leaving."
I turned around but I was pulled back into a warm chest.

“I'm your guardian angel, April.”

I looked at him. "How did you do that? Talked into my mind? That's-"

He cut me off. "I told you April," he laughed. "I'm your guardian angel. I'm crazy about you. I've been watching you since forever."

His smile was sincere and cheeky and contagious.
I smiled back
I can't believe it," I massaged my scalp.

My notebook and the pen came into view and he smiled at me again. It was the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.

"Here, outline number 26," he laughed, "Non-human."

I ripped the notebook and pen out of his grip and looked at the number 26 in the notebook, where a smiley face was drawn.

It's done.

“See you in Toronto, love.”

WORD COUNT IS 2774.

Imprint

Text: angiezapp - Angely Cruz
Images: Tumblr/weheartit.com
Editing: ripples/Glynis. THANK YOU!
Publication Date: 06-18-2012

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