Being Watched

Chapter 4

 “How’s the school like?” Jack asks.

“How’s your new house?” Carla asks.

“Did you meet any hot guys?” Martha asks.

“You better not have some guy crushing on you!” John says.

I roll my eyes at their typical questions. I’m sitting in my new room, on my bed, talking with my friends on Skype.

“The school is good so far and it has almost the same program,” I tell Jack then I tell Carla, “My house is awesome! It’s much better than my old one!” then to Martha, “There are a few hot guys,” I add a wink there and of course I think of Jeremy first.

My gaze travels to a scowling John and I smile at him. “Come on, John, stop being so overprotective.”

“He’s just jealous because he wants you all for himself,” Jack says, earning a punch from John.

“I’m just worried about my best friend,” he says and I smile again.

“Don’t worry, John. I’m a big girl, now. I can take care of myself.”

He sighs but I finally see a smile on his lips.

We chat for another hour and it almost feels like I’m still there. Almost.

Our conversation ends when my mom calls me, saying that dinner is ready.

“I’ll talk to you guys soon!” I say and they call their goodbyes and just before I disconnect I hear John yell, “Remember that I’m the one who’s going to marry you someday!”

I chuckle at that and shake my head. I just hope he’s not being serious.

I jog downstairs to the kitchen and find my dad already seated and my mom setting the three plates of chicken on the table.

“So how’s it going Steph?” Dad asks.

“This week was good. I like the new school. The people are friendly,” I say, smiling at him, trying to be as positive as possible.

Honestly, it had been hard this first week. I didn’t expect anything else. I mean you couldn’t expect to quickly make friends and all. It’s going to take a while for me to be accepted in their class. I am an outsider now but it’ll get better. I hope.

During break time I would usually sit with Emma, Janna, and Rena. I feel like an outsider with them too but they try to make me feel more comfortable. I didn’t expect to directly fit in with them because they have been best friends since first grade but at least they want me to sit with them and they are making an effort to get to know me better.

I am slightly disappointed that Jeremy and I aren’t getting really close. He is usually sitting with his group of friends which consists of Gavin, his best friend, Amelia, Laura, and Henry. They are all in my class but none of them bothered talking to me.

Jeremy talks to me in class sometimes because he’s sitting next to me but he never bothers inviting me to sit with his group of friends.

That hurts me because I love the guy and he doesn’t even like me enough to want me to sit with him during break time.

But I can’t blame him. He doesn’t know me and if I hadn’t been a creep, watching him for three years, I wouldn’t be feeling like this now.

Shaking my head, I try to get rid of those thoughts and look at the bright side of things.

“That’s great, dear,” Mom says, smiling. “I was sure they’ll love you at your new school.”

I just smile and eat to avoid the conversation. My parents discuss their work and how the company here is bigger than the old one and how the people are good and friendly.

I tune out the rest of their conversation and busy myself with the food.

“Stephany!” My mom’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?” I say, looking up at her.

“I said, tomorrow we have some sort of cocktail party and all the company staff will be there. It’s at our boss’s house and you’re coming with us,” She says and I raise my eyebrows at her.

“Why do I have to come?”

“Our boss told us to bring you with us. He has a son that’s a couple of years older than you and some other people are bringing their sons or daughters with them so it will be nice,” Dad answers, smiling excitedly.

I smile back and nod my head. I actually don’t want to go but I can see how excited my parents are. I know they want me to go so I’m going to suck it up and go.

“What time tomorrow?” I ask my mom. It’s Saturday tomorrow and since it’s my first week here, I don’t have any plans.

“We should be there at six so we’re leaving around five in the afternoon,” she replies.

“Sounds good,” I say, shrugging.

“You have to wear something elegant,” she says.

“Hmm,” I think for a bit then I remember the dress I received a few weeks ago and still didn’t get the chance to wear. “I think I have the perfect dress.”

Both of my parents grin widely and I chuckle at their reactions. They are really happy here and that’s all that matters.

I spend the rest of my Friday night watching movies and I don’t sleep before three in the morning. I like movies and books because they keep my mind off things like my friends, my old school, and of course Jeremy.

My mom wakes me up on Saturday at two in the afternoon, saying that lunch is ready. For the next hour, we have lunch and talk about the cocktail party in a few hours.

“So I’m going to wear that turquoise dress I wore for Marina’s party a few months ago and I’m going to wear with it my new heels. What do you think?” She asks.

“I think you’ll look amazing,” I say, smiling.

“Thanks!” She says, “Now you should go get ready as well.”

I notice that I still have around two hours to get ready so I go upstairs to my bathroom and take a long warm bath.

I step out of my bathroom and take out my peach colored dress. I smile at the beautiful strapless chiffon dress on my bed as I remember the day I got it.

I was walking in the mall with John and saw it in one of those fancy stores. I don’t usually buy things from these stores except if I have an event that needs an elegant dress but this dress was amazing so I decided to go in and just try it on and see if it was affordable.

John loved it too and he forced me to try it on even when I was a bit reluctant at first. I put it on and I loved it but I couldn’t buy it because it cost five hundred dollars. I wasn’t going to pay that much for a dress I didn’t need. It was too formal to wear to a party and I didn’t have any formal events coming up so I decided not to buy it. I’ll probably never wear it was what I thought back then.

John thought differently though so the next day, I found the dress on my bed with a note from John saying that he had to buy me that dress because it was simply perfect for me.

I protested at first and complained about how I couldn’t accept it but he insisted that I keep it and I did.

I sigh and put on a huge T-shirt to work on my makeup and hair before I put on the dress. I can’t work well while wearing a tight dress.

I just blow dry my hair and decorate it with a golden pin that my mom gave me a couple of years ago. I then put on some makeup and make sure to keep it light and simple.

I still have fifteen minutes before we leave so I put on my dress and my golden stilettos that match my small golden purse.

I open my jewelry box and take out a heart shaped golden necklace and put it around my neck.

I hear a knock on my door and my mom walks in a few seconds later, looking amazing.

“You look beautiful,” she tells me.

“Thanks, mom, you look beautiful too,” I tell her.

I quickly put on some perfume and glance one final time in the mirror before going downstairs.

My dad smiles at me when he sees me and I ask him to take a picture of me in the dress before we leave so that I could send it to John.

He takes my iPhone and takes several pictures of me alone then some with mom and some with him.

In the car, I send John the pictures and after a few minutes he replies.

You look amazing in that dress, Steph :)

We text for a bit until dad stops the car in front of a huge mansion.

Standing next to the big black gate, there are two girls dressed in black high-waist skirts with white shirts tucked underneath them and black blazers above them.

They ask what our names are and check something on the list in their hands before telling us where to go.

We walk to the back yard and I gasp, not for the first time since we go here, at how beautiful it is. There’s a pool in the middle and around it, the ground is covered with green grass. There are a few small tables here and there with empty glasses on them and around fifteen guys in tuxedos serving drinks.

At the right side of the place there’s a long table with several plates on it containing some snacks.

There are groups of people talking and a soft music playing in the background.

“Let’s introduce you to our boss,” dad says and I follow him and mom to where a small group of people is standing.

 “Angela, Jake, you made it,” A middle-aged guy, wearing a black suit says to my parents. “And you brought Stephany with you!”

I smile at him. “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Reed,” I say politely.

“It’s nice to meet you too. How do you like it here so far?” He asks.

“It’s nice,” I say, nodding.

A woman that’s almost the same age as my mom appears next to Mr. Reed. She is dressed in a bright red short dress and her blond hair is curled beautifully.

“I’d like you to meet my wife Callie,” He says and we exchange greetings.

My parents walk around the backyard greeting people and soon a young man carrying a tray walks up to us.

My parents take glasses of champagne and the guy smiles at me and points to the table.

“There’s some juice over there,” he says. I follow his gaze and see several cups of juice on the left end of the table.

“Who said I wanted juice?” I say, raising an eyebrow at him and he laughs.

“You may look hot in that dress but I’m not giving you champagne, especially with your parents standing right next to you,” he says.

“Aw come on! Don’t I look old enough?” I joke. I don’t really want to drink champagne. I don’t even like it but I’m just entertaining myself.

“Nope,” he says popping the ‘p’. “You look around fifteen or sixteen.”

“Damn,” I say quietly and he chuckles.

“Although I prefer staying here and chatting with you, I better get back to work before I get fired,” he says and I smile as a small blush spreads on my cheeks.

“Okay,” I say. “I’m going to get some juice.”

I hear him laugh as I make my way to the table.

I stand in front of the table and look at the glasses of juice, thinking of what to drink.

I don’t like strawberry and grapefruit so let’s cross those out. Orange, apple, mango or pineapple?

I don’t like the color of apple juice so I usually drink the ones in the cardboard boxes only so I cross that one out too.

Orange, mango, or pineapple?

“Need help with that?” An amused voice asks.

I turn around and see an extremely hot brown-haired guy standing behind me. He is wearing a pair of black pants a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

His green eyes are twinkling with amusement as he looks down at me. Even with the heels, I’m still shorter than him.

“It’s just a really hard decision,” I say as if I’m talking about some serious topic like World War II. “Orange, mango, or pineapple? I can’t find the answer!”

He laughs and I smile.

“I’ll pick for you,” he then says.

“Go ahead,” I reply. It’s not like I was going to choose one any time soon.

“Hmm,” he says, tapping his chin in a thinking manner, making me chuckle. “I pick this.”

He picks the glass of orange juice and takes a sip of it. I raise my eyebrows at him.

“I thought you were picking it for me,” I say.

“I’m just seeing if it’s good enough,” he says, smirking at me and handing me the glass.

“Aren’t you a gentleman,” I tease him as I take the glass. “Thanks,” I add and take a sip as well. I nod appreciatively.

“I’m Andy,” he says, grinning. “Andy Reed.”

“Ooh the boss’s son,” I say, waggling my eyebrows and he bursts out laughing.

I chuckle too and tell him, “I’m Stephany.”

“Nice to meet you beautiful,” he says giving me a charming smile.

“Nice to meet you too,” I reply bashfully.

He smirks. “You’re cute.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you making fun of me?”

“You think calling you cute is offensive?” he says amusedly.

“No, but you said it like I’m the stupid cute, you know?” I ramble and then immediately shut my mouth when I notice what I just said.

We blink at each other then we both burst out laughing.

 “Come on, let’s go,” he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, leading my away from the backyard.

“Where to?” I ask.

“My room,” he says, waggling his eyebrows suggestively but I can see the amused smile on his lips.

“Are you going to kill me then rape me?” I ask, feigning fear.

“Don’t you mean rape you then kill you?” He asks.

“No, no, kill then rape. It’s more messed up,” I say and he laughs.

“Don’t worry, Steph, I won’t kill you,” he says.

“Oh so you’re saying that you’ll rape me?”

“It’s not rape if you like it,” he says, winking at me and I laugh.

I know who Andy Reed is. I’ve heard about him and I know that he’s a good guy so I’m not really worried.

“Seriously, where are we going?” I ask again.

“It’s boring here so we’ll go play some video games or watch a movie,” he says, shrugging.

“Sounds good,” I reply, smiling.

I stare at the inside of the house in awe.

“Wow,” I mutter as he leads me in the hallways and up the stairs.

He smirks at me and we reach a door on the second floor. He opens it and waits for me to go in first. I walk in and look around in fascination. His room is twice the size of my new room. One of the walls in his room is a freaking glass window! Another wall has several shelves with tons of books on them. His king sized bed is on one side on the room and on the other side there is a TV and a DVD player and of course a PS3.

It is a really awesome room.

“Nice room,” I say, still looking around.

“Thanks,” he replies.

“So what do you want to do?” He asks and I shrug.

“The Simpsons?” He asks with a grin, holding a DVD in his hand.

“Hell yeah!” I say excitedly. I love The Simpsons.

He chuckled and puts in the DVD as I take a seat in one of the chairs in front of the TV. He sits in the chair next to me.

When the first episode ends, Andy doesn’t bother playing the next one. Instead he asks, “So Steph, how old are you?”

“Sixteen,” I reply.

He nods his head and then I ask him, “What are you studying in University?”

“Medicine,” he replies.

“Ooh a doctor,” I say winking at him.

“Mmhmm,” he mumbles, moving closer to me. “Does that give me favorable points?”

I move closer too and see his eyes widening slightly before his gaze drops to my lips for a second.

“Not really,” I whisper and push him back.

He is shocked for a few seconds then he laughs with me.

“Wow I really thought I was going to get a kiss,” he says with an amused smile.

“You’re going to have to try harder,” I reply, smirking.

“Anything to get you,” he whispers huskily and I roll my eyes at him.

“Why aren’t you falling for my charm?” He jokes, fake pouting and I chuckle.

“Maybe I’m not as easy as all the other girls,” I reply.

“True and I know I have to work harder to get an amazing girl,” he says with a smile.

I smile too and my cheeks heat up. His smile turns into a smirk and he says, “I like your blush.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, slapping him.

He chuckles then gives me a dazzling smile.

“Can I at least get your number?” He asks.

“Sure,” I reply, shrugging. “You seem like a good enough friend.”

“Did I just get friend zoned?” He asks and I laugh.

“Not yet,” I reply.

He sighs in relief. “Thank God,” he says dramatically and I roll my eyes at him as I take his iPhone and give him mine.

I put in my name and number then when he’s not looking I open the camera and take a picture of my face with my tongue sticking out.

I grin at the picture and put it for my name.

“Here,” I give him his phone and he gives me mine too.

As soon as I get my iPhone, it starts ringing.

“Hey mom,” I say into the phone.

“Hi, sweetie, where are you? We’re leaving now,” she says.

“Oh okay, I’ll meet you by the car,” I say.

“Okay,” she replies and hangs up.

“I have to go,” I say, standing up. “It was nice meeting you, Andy.”

“I would’ve offered to walk you to your car but if I get out there I won’t be able to get away from my parents anymore,” he says and I laugh.

“Don’t worry about it,” I say. He gives me a hug and I wave as I exit his room.

I smile as I walk to my dad’s car, thinking about the new friend I just made.

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