Fools Like Us (Fools Like Us #1) Read Free Page B

winter.
    Finally, on the fourth day I spoke to him.
    "You'll freeze out here," I told him, unlocking my door.
    "Haven't yet," was his reply.
    I pushed the door open and paused before entering. I looked down at him with a frown. "Why are you doing this?"
    "So you won't be lonely."
    "I'm not lonely."
    "Liar."
    "Cedric, go home!"
    "No."
    "I'm calling your parents. You shouldn't be out here like this, my neighbors are already starting to talk."
    "That's their problem."
    I sighed. "Like I said, if you don't leave I'm calling your parents."
    Cedric finally looked up at me, half of his face covered by a tan wool scarf but his ice blue eyes was visible, piercing right through me like they always do. "Go ahead," he said calmly, "call them."
    I glared at him. Stubborn boy.
    "Fine," I muttered, "freeze out here. I don't care." I walked in my apartment and slammed the door close. Damn it! What did he want from me!? I already told him that a relationship between us wouldn't work out. It was just asking for trouble. A replacement for his brother? Don't make me laugh!
    I shrugged my coat off and hung it on the coat rack by the door. Kicking my shoes off, I walked up to the ringing phone and answered. "Hello?"
    "Kai! Hi! It's me, Sandra, your apartment manager."
    I sighed. Damn, here it comes. "Hello, Sandra."
    "I've been getting complaints from the residents that there's been a teenage boy hanging around your place for the past three days."
    "I know, I'm sorry. I'll take care of it."
    "Do I need to call the cops for you?"
    "No!" I said quickly. Dear god, no. That's just what I needed, for the police to get involve and John finding out about it. "No, like I said, I'll handle it."
    "Who is he?"
    "One of my students," I lied.
    "Really? What's he doing?"
    "He keeps begging me to pass him. Look, Sandra, don't worry, I can take care of this."
    "Hmm...well okay if you say so. But do it quickly cause the residents are getting nervous. I hear he's cute but a bit weird."
    "You have no idea," I muttered.
    "What was that?"
    "Nothing. I'll see to it. Thanks for the warning Sandra." I hung up before she could ask anymore nosy questions. Damn it all, I knew this would happen and Cedric probably did too, that clever bastard.
    I marched to the door and flung it open. Of course Cedric was still sitting at the exact same spot. "Get in, and take your shoes off, " I snapped and walked away. I didn't wait to see if he followed. Instead I went straight to the kitchen and opened a cabinet. I took out two black coffee mugs and set them on the counter. Next I searched for the hot chocolate packets in the drawers.
    "Sit," I said when I felt Cedric's presence behind me. I turned on the tap water and filled the cups with water. "Have you eaten?"
    "No."
    I turned off the water and placed both the cups inside the microwave above the stove. I turned it on and left it to heat the water in the mugs as I opened the fridge. "I have some left-overs. Do you eat fried rice?"
    "Yes."
    "Good." I took out the carton of fried rice and opened another cabinet to take a plate out. All the while I could feel Cedric watching my movements quietly. Smart boy. In the mood I was in, I was likely to throw the rice at him if he said the wrong words.
    I waited until the water in the mugs to get hot before taking them out and replacing them with the plate of fried rice. "Do you like hot chocolate?"
    "I don't like sweets."
    I poured a packet of the powdered chocolate in the hot water anyway and stirred the steaming liquid with a spoon. I turned and placed the mug in front of him. "Drink." I was testing him and we both knew it.
    Cedric stared at the mug before lifting his eyes to meet mine. I noticed that he had unwrapped the tan scarf from his face and let it hang around his neck. "Thank you."
    I nodded. "You're welcome." I turned back around to take the steaming plate of rice from the microwave. I could feel my anger melting away as I busied myself. This was how I am. I always needed to do