What If He Didn't Die?

Chapter 43: The SIM Card Guy

"Really. I don't think I've ever seen him before." I say while my fingers punch in Eric's number on my phone which I remember on my tongue tip.

"You don't see anyone. That's completely not new. In fact, he shares a class or two with you too."

"Hmm maybe," I mumble as I play with the little piece of paper holding Robert's number.

"Just save it already." She nudges me and I shoot her a glare but then I obey and save his contact too.

Bella drops me and drives off. Entering the main gate, I notice the presence of Mom's car in the lot. It reminds me that she was supposed to be late tonight. I shrug at my thoughts and typing a quick text to Bella, I walk up to the front gate. Before my foot crosses the threshold, I hear some disturbing noises coming from my left. I retreat my step and slowly start walking towards the sound.

It's Eric, talking furiously with someone in the backyard. His pressing voice making it clear how hard he's trying to not yell.

"No listen, you stay away from her got it? Don't you dare look at her." Eric yells in the phone in a whisper making me frown my eyebrows as I try to guess the noun for the pronouns.

"I'm telling you this again. You got what you asked for. Don't drag her in this." His words sound threatening even to me. His attitude reminds me of my dad and the thought only sends a shiver down my spine.

He waits, listening to whatever the other person is saying until his fist clenches tight and he speaks again.

"No, listen. You're not going to tell her anything. You're not going to fucking talk to my sister. And don't you ever dare show up at my place." My heart stops at the word. 'Sister'. It cannot be anyone but me that he's referring to or that the other person is threatening Eric about. Realising the importance of the conversation, I bring my attention back to it.

Eric chuckles humourlessly before saying his last warning. "You come here and I'll see how you go back in one piece."

Eric hangs upon the person and turns around. I duck just in time to avoid getting caught and my breath stops in my lungs. After hearing his footsteps fade into nothingness, I stand back up slowly.

A shudder escapes my lungs as I find myself safe and undetected. Turning around I walk back to the threshold I abandoned earlier and enter the house, my mind completely occupied by the broken bits of the dreadful conversation that I just overheard.

Drowned deep in my thoughts, I don't realise when I walk straight into someone until the push makes me stumble back a few steps.

"Easter. Where's your mind?" Mom's partially irritated, partially tensed voice tells me it is her that I walked into. I take a breath of relief.

"I'm so sorry mom. I was just thinking and- Are you- are you hurt?" I ask examining her left foot that seems sprained in those sharp edgy heels

"No sweets. I'm fine. Just be attentive when you walk okay?"

"Yes mom," I reply and with a nod, she walks away. "Um, mom-"

"Yes?"

I turn around on my shoes. "Didn't you say you were going to be late today?"

"Yes. Yes, I did. But things changed. We're actually having a little trouble at-" her hand reaches her temple rubbing it back and forth. "-actually you go freshen up okay? We'll have a family dinner today. We have something to tell you both."

I only find it suitable to agree and walk away. Pushing her any further is only going to prove worse. The exhausted look doesn't really suit her and I don't want to add any more lines there.