Kidnapped

Chapter V

I woke up freezing that morning. I was uncovered and I pulled the blanket on. Then, I saw Adam near me, wearing shorts, shirtless. He was sleeping like a baby, spread all over the bed. But he was hot, literally. And no blanket in the world could keep me warmer than his body, in that moment. So I pushed myself closer to him. I think he felt me because he put his arm over my body and pulled me near. He smelled like a young, healthy teenager and cigarette smoke, but I didn't mind.

We stayed like this two more hours.

It was 1 p.m. and the sun was shining powerful outside, between the black clouds. The atmosphere was wet, it was smelling iron in the air and it was cold. We were on our way to the cafe to buy something to eat on the road. We decided to go to school that day because the attendance at the courses was important to Adam. He had to finish the high-school with a perfect diploma for his future, he didn't want to leave me home alone and I gave up and went with him.

''It's Friday, last day of the week. 5 more hours to stand and we're free. Then I’m going to show you something. I'm going to make you a surprise." and he smiled and embraced me friendly over my shoulder.

"What are you planning?" I throw a curious look to him, like I really wondered if it was something bad.

Yeah Andi, he's going to throw you into a van, drive you into a forest and kill you.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

"You made me curious."

It was big fuss on the corridor. Everyone was running in all the directions, everyone was chatting, gossiping, making fun, the bunch of Heather’s cheerleaders were trying to make up in the tiny mirror that was hiding in their closet, impressing the machos that were wearing that molded T-shirts to display their beefy breasts highlighting their prisoner haircut.

On the way to the class, I noticed a tall and not too strong boy, 'cause he wasn't a man, passing beside us and greeting primly.

"Hey nerd! I see you got a new friend. Your only one if I’m not wrong."

It was James. Adam's ex best friend. He didn't talk about him too much. He just said they were friends until James decided to leave him and not to talk to him again.

He had blue deep eyes, the hair was messy but at the same time brining to sight the fact that he worked hard to maintain it that way. He was wearing a black leather jacket, a tight T-shirt under it, some skinny jeans and sneakers.

Adam hit me with his elbow; sign that I needed to shut up and ignore him.

When we arrived in the classroom and the course started, Adam told me more about James.

"You see, we decided to separate because he thought I’m a weirdo. Like I said, everybody judges me by my aspect. And he became one of the most popular guys in the school. Now, everybody pretends I am his old slave. He worked hard to recover his reputation and to tear me down: he succeeded. He's almost perfect in my opinion. I mean, he's smart, funny, attractive and cool. I seem to have nothing from these."

"This is not true. You have a heart. At least you wouldn't act like a jerk and destroy your best friends. You have many things that he doesn't. Maybe he was jealous because you were better. I think this is the reason."

He looked straight into my eyes and gave me a big hug, pulling my nose into his shoulder.

"I'm happy I met you."

***

After the courses, we went straight to the mall, in the Centre of the city. It was around 8 p.m. and we decided to take the dinner at a fast food. I recognize that I’m not crazy about the fast food, but I was so hungry that I could eat anything that was coming in my way; my lunch wasn't the best meal I had that day.

"Finish everything you have, then I am going to show you my place. I have to leave some things there. You can also leave your bag. We'll have to walk a little."

"Sure." I was so excited to see what he prepared for me that I was eating like a blockhead. My mouth was full of roast, juicy meat, hot cheese and well baked bread which I craved for in that moment. “I’m done, let's go!"

The way to Adam's place was an entire maze. Our trail was blocked by big boxes and constructing tools, making us stumble at each step. Finally we reached the destination and I found myself standing, in the dark, in front of another big steel door locked with two knobs and a small lock. Adam unlocked it with a key and pushed me inside. Everything looked like a library. It smelled exactly like him: healthy and clean teenager and cigarette smoke, but not as intense.

"Welcome to my place! We'll spend some time here, maybe until 10 p.m.… We need to wait until the mall's closing."

"I can't wait even a single minute."

"I bet you'll love it. You should dress up warm. It will be cold outside."

"So, it's outside. Ha!"

God, what are you planning?

"Ok. It’s around 9 p.m.... I think we can get out now. Um...You can't wear that. Here, take my jacket."

I was truly exhausted. We had to climb two 4 floors of stairs until we reached the top of the mall's roof. Adam opened the door, and started to run and jump and laugh all over the platform.

"Come! It's fun! WOHOO!"

"You're mad!"

He went to the roof's bar, and pulled me near him. He climbed on it and started to scream. The whole city could hear but he didn't seem to care. I took courage and did the same. I was feeling free. I screamed all the air out of me and all the fear that I felt last night about that dream: that I could ever be alone. But I wasn't. I had Adam. And he really liked me and trusted me so I started to feel the same.

He might be the one. But, your father...Where's he? You need to find him. To see if he is alright. What if he's kidnapped? And what about the opened door on the back of your home? No sign, no mark?

There was no one to answer those questions. No one to look after me or to find me and give me some help, some clues.

"Release all! Scream your lungs! You like it?!"

"I can't hear you! "

"Relieving..."

The landscape was great. I thought to come here sometime and to draw it. I would take it away as a memory.

Though you're not going anywhere until your father's back.

"Ok now, watch out...Put your leg here and..."

Oh, you're so pathetic. Stand up!

I was all red. I felt so embarrassed. I stumbled upon a bar and fell on the platform.

“Sorry Andrea! Are you alright? Come..."

So he picked me up and our eyes met in a straight line. His eyes were then green and so bright and I could notice he was also blushing. Then he closed them and I felt something warm and soft on my cold lips. I melted and I left my body and my arms guided towards his throat and through his hair, while he was holding me tightly into his long arms. I couldn't feel anything but his smell, his heat and his lips glued on mine. I tried to push him a little but he refused, continuously kissing me and embracing me tight.

"Andrea, I like you a lot and, I never thought I would like someone so much as I do now. You're the reason I could use to stay here forever."

"Adam, I'm speechless." Now, that I woke up from that unreal feeling, I could realize I was shaking; because of the weather and the atmosphere between us.

"L...let's go home."