Chapter 18

"You did WHAT?"

I winced as my mother's voice rang into my ears, bounced off the walls, and echoed in my ears again. Colton flinched too but didn't let it show. He was desperately trying to stay strong but he was miserably failing.

My mother looked like the Satan herself, red in the face with anger, eyes narrowed furiously, fists cleaned and lips in a straight deviously disarming smile. Now only if someone gave her horns and a tail.

"You, Racheal Amy Smith are grounded until I say you are not." She pointed at me. "Which means no phones, or novels or partying or meeting anyone outside who isn't blood-related, I don't care if some person is on death bed and their last wish is to see you. You will go to school and come directly back home. One step off the designated road and I'll tie you in the largest laundry basket and then dump you in a river myself. No regrets."

She then pointed at Colton. "As for you Colton whatever Hastings, I will personally call your parents and make sure you are grounded too. You are forbidden to call her, meet her, talk to her or even look at her and that includes in the school. So basically you two are breaking up now. Any last words? No? Good. Now get the hell off my property."

"What! MOM!" I screamed in horror. Just when I had realized I liked Colton and my mother instantly takes him away. Yay love life!

My mother didn't even blink as she glared at me. "Did I shutter?"

I lowered my head, slumping my shoulders. "Sorry."

"Don't say it, prove it."

"Aunt Dia-" Colton started but mom interrupted. "Mrs. Smith. From now on you call me Mrs. Smith."

Colton gulped. "Mrs. Smith with all due respect I think that is too harsh, we were just trying to help you. You haven't even heard the whole thing yet."

Mom's eyebrows rose and I sunk into the chair. "More is there? Great." She clapped her hands sarcastically. "You two go behind my back, behind everyone's back to that slutty stripper's house and get drugs from there, which is by the way evidence tampering. So if you are reported you two would be behind the bars for quite a while. And if that isn't enough you say there is more? What else is there?"

"Sophisticated stripper." Colton corrected under his breath. I mentally rolled my eyes, biting a laugh.

"You said?"

Colton shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing at all. We went to Natalie's apartment like I previously mentioned, the same one who is Raul Aita's ex-girlfriend."

Mom furrowed her eyes. "How did you two know about that? And why would you go there?"

"To help you, mom." I replied. "We have been doing some of our own investigations."

"Oh yeah? And who told you to do that?"

"Heart?" I answered meekly.

Mom narrowed her eyes. "Don't use the guilt card. Start from the very start and don't miss a thing, remember I am a lawyer, I can catch lies faster than Chris Brown can throw punches."

I wanted to snort at the analogy but resisted. I gestured to Colton to speak since this was all his idea only.

He scowled but started. "So that night during the gala, we met Victoria Ponte and-"

It was after forty minutes of explaining, with my mom constantly telling us how dumb we were to do this and that, that we finally ended the story, missing the beach part completely due to obvious reasons.

"So this teddy was from Germany?" mother asked, her thinking cap on.

We nodded meekly.

"But Raul is Italian, and this teddy doesn't seem anything German-ic." She pointed at the pink teddy sitting on a stool with his devilish smile. As if it knew what trouble it had cost us. I instantly averted my eyes. Creepy thing.

"Did she say anything about what his work was in Germany?"

Colton shook his head. "When we were alone she did tell that they just went to roam everywhere. They had been to over 10 places and each time he got some stuffed toys for his niece."

Mother whistled softly. "A drug racket in a murder case. Who would have thought that?" She picked up her cell, calling someone. "Find out if Nick Mills or Raul Aita have any stuffed toys, get them to my office the first thing tomorrow morning, and don’t even touch them. Just put them in an opaque bag and bring them. Also, contact Natalie Acker, I want to talk to her. Set up a meeting at 10 am sharp, tell her she has two options, either meet me at my office or meet the jury in court and get placed in jail."

Mom listened for a few seconds. "No, don't tell her what it is about. Be vague, get her curiosity level up. If she doesn't come you are fired."

She paused. "Yes. Good, goodnight." She cut the call, a pleased expression on her face. "Now we are getting somewhere."

"Because of us." I muttered under my breath.

"You said?"

I scowled at mom. "You can't ground us after we gave you the biggest break in this case."

"For all, I know these things aren't related at all." She shrugged.

"But you know they are." I pointed out. "I did see stuff toys in the library and in the other rooms at Raul's place and you saw them too. And from what we could see from Raul's window into Nick's place, Nick did have a small fish pillow near his window. That cannot be a coincidence. You know it."

Mom sighed, pressing her forehead. "Fine, it can't be. But that still doesn't mean you can sneak into houses and investigate without a proper warrant. Do you know the trouble you could be in if Natalie says you two have the teddy in the court? No one would care about anything but the fact that there were drugs under your hold, illegal. Not to mention you are the daughter of the very lawyer who is trying to save Rodrigo. Tomorrow I have to make up a story about finding these drugs without you two in the picture and then force Natalie to stick to it."

"I know and we are sorry, but grounded?" I protested.

"Ugh fine, ungrounded but still under my watchful eye." Mom finally gave in. "No more helping this case, I have had enough help. Get it?"

We both nodded a bit reluctantly.

...

"What? No! I just joined in the team, I didn't even help. I want to helppppp." Drew cried, pouting worse than a duck.

"Yeah nice of you to tell us after everything is done." Simone taunted, scowling at me.

I groaned heavily. "Come on, we were going to tell you all but everything happened so fast and it was all hush-hush."

"Whatever." The twins said together. Eva was ignoring Nathan completely even though he had apologized more than thirty times and got her a big Toblerone which she slyly ate but didn't talk.

Ira was eerily calm and I knew it the calm before a storm. Adrian was indifferent, simply texting away on his phone. Did he ever care about anything?

"Well, it's over now so no use yelling." Colton shrugged, grabbing a pizza slice from my plate. I slapped his hand off, "Don't touch my food."

"You should be grounded." Simone grumbled.

I winked at her. "Come on biach, you would have missed me too much."

"Not really." The twins twisted their lips simultaneously.

"Don't do that it's creepy." Drew shivered, leaning away from them.

They gave him an uncannily similar smile. "Do what?"

"We don't need a horror movie, we can just watch them do the same things at the same time." Colton snorted, filling his mouth with a handful of fries at their glare.

"Okay anyways, beach plan still on?" I inquired, stopping a soon to endure fight.

"Heck yes. Uncle's all set, he's packed the fridge and music system and theater. He'll leave for his world tour tomorrow and by four days we'll be in his cottage. Whoopie!" Drew threw his arms up, a giddy smile on his face.

"He's acting like we are going there for a whole week instead of just one night." Simone whispered, giggling softly.

"You still like him?" I whispered back.

She pressed her lips. "If he keeps acting like this then it won't be difficult to get over him."

I chuckled. "Yeah who can love this idiot?"

Unconsciously both of us glanced at Ira who was laughing with well-hidden emotions at Drew's funny expression. I felt a smile creep up my face, maybe this time Ira can't sacrifice. It was high time she found happiness too.

"So since carpooling is the new thing I will pick up Eva and Ira." Nathan started.

Drew slapped his arm. "No, I'll pick them up."

"Nope, me."

"I am picking up Racheal." Colton cut in, and then went back to playing Clash of Clans.

Simone groaned beside me. "Somebody get me a boyfriend. I feel left out."

(AN: Simone is me!)

"You can come with us." I told her, kicking Colton under the table when he opened his mouth to retort.

Simone glanced at Colton. "Sure?"

I smiled. "Of course."

"Good because I am the best friend. Chicks before D!cks." She grinned, making sure Colton heard.

Colton simply rolled his eyes. "Say that when she cuts your call because we are having sex."

I whacked his shoulder in shock, turning bright red. "Shut up Colton!"

Simone let out a laugh along with others. "She'll leave you to wank, for me."

I simply rolled my eyes, a small smile on my face as the rest continued to debate about carpooling.

I felt Colton come up beside me. "Thinking about me, naked on your bed?"

I sent him a flat look. "No, I was actually thinking about Jensen Ackles."

"Eww, that weird supernatural guy? I don't understand why girls dig him."

"Because he's hot duh!"

"So am I." Colton pointed to himself.

I leaned closer to him, almost kissing his cheeks. "Who said that lie?"

He blinked, as if in a trance then scowled. "Everyone. And please I know you like me."

I froze, my heart going in a frenzy. He knew! Shit. Abort mission, abort life, abort everything. Become an E.T.

I shuttered, trying to deny the fact but nothing came up my throat. Just when I needed a brain, it ditched me. And I looked like a Nemo, opening and closing my mouth repeatedly. No, that is done by goldfish and Nemo was a clownfish. I wonder if he had any jokes. Wait, what?

"Racheal?" Simone was shaking her hand in front of my eyes and I blinked.

"Huh?"

"You have been in LaLa land for quite some time. What were you thinking?"

"If clownfishes have jokes." I blurted out. "You know because they are clownfishes, clowns have jokes. So-"

"OMG! You stole a packet, didn't you?" Simone screamed, throwing her hands in the air. "You are so high."

"What are you? Blind? I am low, on the ground."

She slapped her forehead. "Go home and sleep."

"Gladly." I muttered.

"I'll take you home." Colton replied with an amused yet confused smile.

"NO!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening. I had no doubt that if I spent any more time alone with him, I'd blurt out my feelings for him.

His head was titled and lips twisted. "Why not?"

"I uh-" I licked my lips as I tried to think for a reasonable reason.

"Are you still angry about the beach stunt?" His eyes turned to guilty. "I did apologize and even bought a pizza and two ice cream scoops."

And I instantly felt bad. "No not at all, it's just that um- Simone is leaving now too and she'll drop me."

"I am?" Simone's eyebrows furrowed.

I sent her a discrete sharp look.

"Yes yes of course I am." She nodded violently, grabbing her bag. "I am forgetting stuff you know. I was leaving, trust me, I was. It just slipped off my mind. I have to watch over my dog so I have to go. I'll drop her home, you don't-"

I resisted the urge to slap my forehead and her cheek as Eva's eyes narrowed on us. "You don't have a dog, Simone."

I let out a heavy breath.

Simone's eyes widened as if just realizing what she just said. She laughed nervously. "I don't, don't I? I just bought it, no, it is actually my-"

I cut her off. "She actually has a dentist's-"

"Yes, I have to watch over my dentist's dog." She continued with a smug smile and I had to fold my arms together so they wouldn't go and strangle her.

The guys looked confused and freaked out, for the first time even Adrian seemed to paying attention instead of watching his phone. The twins on the other hand looked more than entertained and were fighting a laughing fit.

"Your dentist has a cat, Simone." Eva said complacently.

Ira nodded. "Yes, I very well remember you telling us about how she swore her cat was flossing teeth."

I sat down on the seat. "I no longer want to go home."

Simone gave a sheepish look. "She bought a new dog but I guess he no longer needs to be taken care of." She sat down, picking up a slice of pizza and hogging it.

The twins grinned, winked at me, and went back to food. Adrian blinked and unlocked his phone. Drew stared at Simone like she was an alien before shaking his head and turning to Ira. Nathan chuckled and started talking to Eva. Colton opened his mouth and closed it.

I shifted awkwardly wondering if he was going to say anything.

He finally made a decision. "That was all because you didn't want to go home with me?" his tone was serious yet confused like he couldn't believe the question himself.

I choked on my breath not expecting a direct question. I scoffed apprehensively. "Phessh no! Are you mad or something? Nevermind, don't say anything. Oh look last slice of pizza, I call dibs! Do you like pizza?" I made a grab for the slice at the same time as Drew.

"Hey lay off the fat." He mocked, pulling the plate towards him.

I glared at him. "Look who's talking, fatty." I propped to grab the plate back.

Colton grabbed my stretched-out hand, pulling me upwards to stand. I blinked at him and then scowled. "My pizza."

"Let's have some ice cream."

I grinned. "Yes." And stuck out my tongue to Drew who rolled his eyes, pushing the whole in his mouth. I wrinkled my nose. Eww.

Colton didn't let my wrist and I ignored the feeling of his skin on mine by thinking of swimming unicorns. Colton led us to the door and I turned back with a frown. "Aren't they coming too?"

"Nope just us."

"Oh." The unicorn swam away was replaced by every scenario where Colton finds out about my feelings and laughs on my face before walking away with Monica.

I tried to pull out my hand but his grip tighten. "You didn't seem to mind the touch when we hugged, why now Racheal?"

Because I didn't realize I had feelings for you then!

And it is because of that stupid stunt that I know about them now.

"It was just because I was scared." I half-lied.

"And that was it?"

I nodded meekly. He didn't reply until we entered Dunkin Donuts. "I thought we were having ice cream."

"I changed my mind."

The insecurity instantly increased. What if he changes his mind about this three month deal? Maybe it would be for better, I'd get away from him.

"Racheal! What do you want?"

I blinked at Colton's frustrated face. Maybe he had already changed his mind about bringing me here. On the other hand, what did I want? YOU! "Anything."

Colton stared at me, scrutinizing me until he sighed heavily and walked away. My eyes followed him till he reached the counter where a pretty teen girl was drooling over him. I looked away, I couldn't see them flirt.

I lightly banged my forehead on the table. Kevin was so easy, he had taken me on a friendly date first and then two more until he bent down on one knee asked me to be his girlfriend with a bunch of flowers and chocolates, I had obviously said yes.

But this whole, you like a guy and he doesn't revert back instead flirts with other girls was a completely new concept for me. Maybe I needed to go to Kevin’s place.

I lifted my head when Colton came back with two chocolate donuts and two hot coffees. I smiled lightly. "Thanks."

He just nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. Unconsciously my gaze shifted to the counter girl who dawned a sullen look. I wondered what had happened.

"Are you okay?"

I turned back to Colton with a big fat fake grin. "Yes of course."

I knew Colton saw right through it but didn't press and I was thankful for that. I felt like a China doll, I could break anytime.

"Drew likes Ira."

I actually smiled at the change of subject. "I know, I think she likes her back but is too afraid to face her own feelings."

His eyes ran all over my face and I shifted in my seat at his inspection. "Are all girls like that?"

Somewhere deep down I knew he was indirectly talking about me but I quashed that thought. "Yeah most of them."

"Why?" his voice dripped with open curiosity.

I swallowed the coffee before answering, choosing my words carefully. "Girls are mostly afraid that their feelings might not be returned back or that the guy may suddenly change his mind and dump her ass off the roadside."

"So they are afraid of rejection and replacement?"

I simply nodded.

"Did it ever occur that maybe guys are afraid too?"

I looked at him but his face showed no emotions. He simply bit a piece of the donut and continued looking at the coffee cup.

I shrugged. "Yeah, I know they are."

"And yet they should take the first step?" This time he looked up and his eyebrow raised in question.

I honestly didn't know what the cause of this whole question was but I was afraid of the outcome. "I guess? It makes the woman feel special and wanted, lessens her insecurity."

Colton let out a sarcastic laugh. "You know the ratio of a girl turning down a guy and a guy turning down a woman is 5:1?"

I let out a low chuckle. "No."

"It is." He claimed. "And the guy only turns down any girl either because he is gay or is in a serious relationship."

I bit my lip. "So you are telling the girl should ask out first?"

He shrugged. "It doesn't hurt actually but if not then she should at least give enough hints for the guy to gather up the courage and ask her out."

I smirked at him. "Hastings afraid to ask a girl out? That's new! I thought you knew no girl would turn you down." My half-smile face completely refuted my feelings. From inside I was howling in pain that he liked someone and I was damn sure it wasn't me. I need to start taking tips from Cosmo, like seriously.

He simply rolled his eyes. "Smith this isn't about me. It's in general. Take Drew and Ira, for example, Ira doesn't express, at all, it makes Drew nervous and terrified to ask her out."

"Maybe he should just take a leap of faith, you know. Just jump with eyes open and see where it leads."

He stared at me, his donut was forgotten. "What if there is an ocean below and no life jacket."

"Then he'll learn to swim and come over to a new destination. Sink or swim baby." I bit my lip as soon as I said baby, blushing a bit but Colton didn't seem to notice.

He seemed deep in thought after that discussion and I was thankful he didn't tease about the 'baby' part so even I didn't interrupt as I myself was in deep thought, in a colossal debate about how to get over a crush or how to make a crush like you back.

I definitely knew what I was going to Google as soon as I reached home.

"Shall we go?"

I nodded, throwing the cup and paper plate in the dustbin and following Colton out.

"Took you guys long enough? Trouble in paradise?" Drew mocked, wiggling his eyebrows at us.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring him. "Let's go."

"Can I drop you or maybe Simone has a dragon to pet this time?" Colton teased.

I gave a small smile. "You can have the honor of dropping me."

It didn't take long to reach my house and as I got down from his car, he called out. "I feel like a library card."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Huh?"

Colton winked with a cheeky smile. "Because I have been totally checking you out."

I laughed, throwing my head back. "Did you notice I am like the best seller? Currently unavailable." I winked a walked into my house.

It wasn't long before my phone vibrated.

Blackmailer- 'I just Googled 'sexy'. Guess what came up?'

I rolled my eyes. 'My ass?'

Blackmailer- 'Nope. You and me, together. ;)'

I laughed walking into my room, shaking my head. From where does he get all these? Does he invent them? 'You'll get the same result if you Google incompatible.'

Blackmailer- 'Nah then I come up with you and Kevin.'

Me-'*unamused look* Seriously?'

Blackmailer- 'Just stating.'

Me-'Don't.'

Blackmailer- 'Ok.'

I pressed my forehead, feeling incredibly frustrated. I collapsed down on the bed looking at the ceiling with annoyance. How hard is it for him to figure out that I like a possessive sweet jerk instead of a cute ex?

Me- 'I don't like him.'

Blackmailer- 'But you did.'

Me-'Duh!'

Blackmailer- 'What?'

I groaned as I typed. 'He was my ex Colton, of course, I liked him even loved him, that's why we were together.'

Blackmailer- 'Oh yeah Racheal. How long?'

Me-'Around 11 months.'

Blackmailer- 'Pretty long. Do you still miss him? Answer honestly please.'

I pressed my lips thinking about the question. Instead of answering immediately, I changed into blue minion cotton shorts and an old tee with 'I am irreplaceable' written on it.

I finally started typing. 'I do, at times. When I am lonely at 3 am, thinking about life, or when I see couples holding hands and smiling like lovesick fools. I do miss but not him. I miss having someone I could trust, someone I could do all the silly stuff with, and someone who loved me back for who I am.'

Blackmailer- 'Oh seems fun. Why did you two break up?'

I didn't know what to reply. 'I don't know.'

Blackmailer- 'Well you broke up, who will know? Mila Kunis?'

My eyes reached their sockets at his sarcasm. 'It was a mutual understanding. We had a big fight. He was drunk, he said he only started dating me because of a bet but then he fell in love with me. I got pissed, I confronted him after he was sober, he admitted to it and we broke up. Simple as that.'

Blackmailer- 'But you still love him. *smirk*'

Me-'*unamused look* Believe what you want. Gn.'

Blackmailer- 'Aww come, one babe, don't be like that. *flying kiss*'

I twisted my lips, repeating his message in a nasal girly voice before replying. 'I am sleepy.'

Blackmailer- 'Sorry?'

Me-'Goodnight.'

Blackmailer- 'I'll come by?'

I furrowed my eyebrows. 'What for?'

Blackmailer- 'You seem pissed, so I just thought I would bring some chocolates and chips to cheer you up. Isn't that what boyfriends are supposed to do?'

I giddy grin crept up my face and my heart was bursting with joy. I did a mental Harlem shake, giggling like a fool. 'Nope, it's kay, sleep. *grin*'

Blackmailer- 'Are you sure?'

Me-'Yup.'

Blackmailer- 'Okay then goodnight, have a wet dream *wink* xx'

Maybe he should actually kiss me instead of just texting them, I blushed at my thoughts. 'Goodnight, yeah I'll dream that you are drowning. X'

I stared at the x I had typed and then smirked deviously, I opened Google and typed- 'How to seduce a guy'

~~~