The Exchange Student by A J Carter

Author:A J Carter [Carter, A J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Papyrus Publishing LTD
Published: 2023-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Alyssa

The call to Summer goes dead.

I would usually worry about something like that, but considering she hung up on me almost instantly, she probably just accidentally dialled my number in her pocket. It happens. Usually at the most inconvenient time, leaving people mortified about what they’ve let slip.

Besides, it’s not like there’s nothing to do here.

Noah’s room still awaits.

I look again at his bag on the floor, trying to talk myself out of it. I’ve already gone too far by even coming up here and looking through the drawers, but I still feel compelled to find out a little more about our mysterious guest.

Without further thought, I drop to my knees in the corner of the room and drag out the backpack. There’s some weight to it – not too much, but like it’s packed with clothes. I think back to the drawers and remember he’s already unpacked his clothes.

So then, what’s in here?

There’s only one way to find out.

I grab hold of the zip and give it a tug. The bag falls slightly open, revealing a scrunched-up hoodie that seems to be tucked in to cover whatever is beneath it. Nervous energy is coursing through me – a hint of guilt pulling me back – but I need to know why Noah has been the way he has… whatever it takes.

The hoodie lifts out, and there’s a small collection of items at the bottom. The first of which is a hard leather journal that looks tattered and used. Remember when I said my mother used to read my diary? Well, snooping does run in the family. That’s why, despite the sickening amount of guilt I feel right now, I force myself open the pages and start to read.

That is, I try to. It’s all in Dutch, but I see my name written here or there as I flip through it. More alarmingly, Summer’s name appears more times than I can count. I try telling myself it’s not that big a deal and that maybe he’s just saying the name of the girl he’s exchanging with. Then again, he’s probably seen what my daughter looks like. Although I hate it, boys and girls of the same age can find each other attractive. That’s normal, isn’t it?

Next, I put down the diary and grab the closest thing without looking. It’s small and made of leather. When I pull it out of the bag, I see it’s an expensive-looking wallet. But Noah went out ages ago. Wherever he’s gone, wouldn’t he need this? Why would he—

‘Spion!’

The voice almost makes me fall over. I juggle the wallet, catch it, then turn around with my heart pounding. Noah is standing in the doorway, his blood-filled face flaring with anger as he snarls like an animal. Like a predator. Fear rattles through me, and my mind races to think of an excuse for why I’m going through his things. But I’ve got nothing.

I’ve been caught.

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