-ˋˏ ༻Four Years Later༺ ˎˊ-

Rain fell from the sky in sheets, pelting the glass of the balcony door. The glass shook violently with every clap of thunder, the room being lit every time lightning streaked across the dark sky. I couldn't fight the smile on my lips as I laid back across my couch, eyes closed in content.

The sound of the AC mingled with the thunder as it pushed cold air through the apartment. There are few things in this world that make me truly happy but a thunderstorm is at the top of the list. The rain is just so peaceful and serene, washing away all the stress and negative thoughts that usually plague my mind.

If I had my way, it would rain every day for the rest of time. Guess I should have moved to Washington. It rains a lot in England, too, I think. Maybe I can -

My train of thought was interrupted by a loud, shrill ringing that hurt my head. With a frown, I sat up to try and find the source. No matter where I walked, the sound wasn't changing in volume.

"Shit, that's so annoying!" I cried, covering my ears as I headed toward my bedroom. In my haste, my foot caught on the doorway and I lost my balance, hitting the floor with a thud.

My eyes shot up, staring up at the blurry ceiling above me. It took me a minute to realize what had just happened. It was just a dream. Of course, it was. When have I ever felt that peaceful when I was awake?

I pushed myself up with a groan, realizing I had rolled off the mattress onto the hard, wooden floor. It wasn't a long drop but it still hurt. And the annoying ringing that makes me want to commit murder? My damn alarm.

I slapped my hand over my phone until the sound stopped then glanced at the time. 5:40 in the morning. I had to be at work at six which is honestly stupid since the kids don't even start arriving until eight. I considered trying to get a few more minutes of sleep but decided against it. I wasn't exactly known for taking short naps.

With a sigh, I pulled myself to my feet and headed out into the living room. Despite being the beginning of December, Florida was like a sauna that doesn't have an off button. It's fine if you have an AC unit that works, but this apartment is absolute shit and I'm lucky to even have working electricity and running water.

I turned the fan to face the kitchen so I could make some food. I was so sure I had some eggs left but I guess not. The fridge was pretty bare, mostly just soda and condiments. I checked the cabinet next. No cereal, no Poptarts, no canned chili. Oh, wait a minute, there's one bag of ramen left!

With a grin, I grabbed the square package and started to boil some water on the stove. Instant ramen is hard to get right, but I've found that letting the water reach a rolling boil first is the best way to make it. It's too soggy if you add the noodles before that. As soon as the noodles are in, turn down the heat and let it boil for about five minutes.

The noodles won't be crunchy but they won't be soggy, either. The perfect texture, in my opinion. I carefully brought the steaming bowl into the living room, setting it on the coffee table so I could look for something to watch on TV.

Honestly, I rarely ever watch cable since YouTube has plenty of free content to keep me entertained. I didn't want it but, for some damn reason, my internet bill became cheaper if I bundled it with cable. I guess it's their attempt to try and keep people interested in cable since most people just use streaming services these days.

Murder, She Wrote was the perfect show to start the day. Jessica Fletcher, the main character, is an amazing woman who can solve any mystery presented to her. She's my hero and I wish I could be more like her but that'll never happen.

I shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts, finishing up my food and quickly putting on my uniform. It wasn't until I was about to walk out the door that my cat finally appeared out of thin air. Literally, he wasn't there one second and when I turned back to grab my keys, he was there. Cats are feckin' ninjas in disguise.

He looked at me as if I was betraying him by leaving.

"I'll be back later," I told him, reaching down to pat his head. 

The top half of his body was black, extending to his tail, ears, and half of his mouth. His stomach and paws were white, extending to the other half of his mouth and forming a diamond shape patch between his eyes. The tip of his tail was also white, appearing as if it had been dipped in paint. His eyes, judging as they were, were a vibrant green. He was a long boy, too.

He meowed his disapproval before turning to enter the kitchen.

"You better not set anything on fire, Cap!" I yelled as I closed the door behind me. It was just as hot outside as it was inside, the humidity weighing heavily on me as I descended the stairs.

Thankfully the high school was only about five blocks from my apartment so it wasn't too bad, but I was definitely sweaty by the time I arrived. I guess it feeds into the stereotype that school security guards are just sweaty losers.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I stepped into the front office, being blasted with ice-cold air from the AC. I've been tempted on more than one occasion to sneak into the office after school and sleep in the storage room. Is being cool worth being arrested for trespassing? Hell yes.

"You're late, Miss Sears."

I held back my scowl as I looked at the woman behind the desk. Mildred Belltower is a woman in her late 40s who lives off the tears of children. She's never happy and constantly putting people down. Definitely not the kind of person that should be working at a high school, but it's a D-rated school for a reason, I guess.

"The kids aren't even here yet," I replied, not sparing her a glance as I approached the counter to sign in for my shift.

"Your job is to be here before the children arrive, not after." She narrowed her eyes at me, arms folded over her chest.

"Well, seeing as the kids aren't here yet and I am," I smacked the pen down, sending her a smirk. "Guess I'm not late, then, huh?"

Anger flashed through her eyes, lips parting to form an insult, I'm sure, but she held herself back when the door opened. In walked the principal, Andrew Grant. He was a tiny man with a timid demeanor that was easy to push around, something Mildred enjoyed greatly. Given the fact that he runs a shitty school in a shitty city, he's actually quite nice.

He adjusted his round glasses when he saw me, a kind smile on his face. "Good morning, Miss Sears."

"Morning, sir. Excuse me." I quickly made my exit before Mildred could stop me, heading for my office at the other side of the building. It was tiny, barely enough room for a desk and two chairs.

I fell onto the chair, stifling a yawn. I didn't have to do my first walk through the school until the bell rang so I had some time to relax. I was once again tempted to take a nap, but I couldn't afford to lose this job. I doubt Grant would fire me, but Mildred would definitely convince him to. Or maybe threaten him to. Blackmail? Yeah, she seems more like a blackmailer than a threatener.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I tugged it out to see who was demanding money from me now. Debt collectors were the only ones who ever contacted me. Sure enough, it was a text from my landlord telling me that I had one week to pay my rent or I better start looking for a new place.

I threw my phone onto the desk with a groan. Life is really out here refusing to give me a break, for fuck's sake.

-ˋˏ ༻❅༺ ˎˊ-

"Sleeping on the job, hm?"

I opened my eyes at the unfamiliar voice, finding a young man standing in the doorway. I thought he was a student at first, but this school doesn't have a uniform, especially not one that looks as expensive as what he's wearing. I quirked a brow at him as I sat up, dropping my feet from the corner of my desk. "I'm not sleeping, I'm resting my eyes. There's a difference."

He hummed, settling down in the seat on the other side of the desk.

"You don't go to this school, do you?"

"I don't."

"Then why are you here?" I glanced at the clock - 12:50 in the afternoon. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

He smirked, crossing one leg over the other, acting as if he owned the world. "Do you know who I am, Jay Sears?"

"Don't know, don't care," I answered honestly. "If you don't go to school here, you need to leave." I motioned toward the door as I stood up, but he didn't budge.

"My name is Kaz Colson. I'm a senior at Witmore Academy."

"Okay?" I quirked a brow at him, unsure of where this was going. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

His blue eyes flooded with surprise. "You... don't know who I am?"

"I mean, you just told me, so... Look, I don't know what you came here for, but you need to go back to wherever you came from."

Kaz combed a hand through his blonde hair, bangs framing his face. "I came to see you."

"I can't help you."

"You don't even know what I'm going to say."

"And I don't care. You don't attend this school so I have no obligation to help you. If you have a problem, take it up with... what was it, Whitemore?"

"Witmore," he corrected.

"Whatever. If I listen to you, will you leave?"

"Yes."

I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance, falling back into my chair. "Fine but keep it to twenty words or less."

The corner of his lips twitched upward. "I'm here to offer you a job."

"Pardon?" I blinked dumbly. "I already have a job."

He glanced around the tiny office, looking equal parts disappointed and disturbed. "Ah, yes, working as a security guard for a D-rated public school for so little pay that you can barely live. It sounds very charming."

My eyes narrowed at his haughty attitude. "I don't know what fantasy world you live in, but I live in the real world where you have to work your ass off in order to survive. You don't get handouts just for existing. The world is against you at every turn and you have to claw your way from rock bottom. It sucks, but that's life."

Kaz regarded me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Yes, well. That's why I'm offering you a better job. You'll be working as my personal bodyguard. The pay is $1,500 a day, though you'll be expected to work even on holidays and weekends. You'll also be given your own home on our property so you can be close but still have your own privacy. My current bodyguard will be retiring soon and I've asked my father to let me choose his replacement. I've chosen you."

"...this is a joke, right? What, were you dared to do this by your friends or something?"

"I'm quite serious."

"And why would you choose me? I'm a nobody with no high school diploma and my only work experience is a bunch of shitty part-time jobs. The only reason I got this job is because they were desperate and it's a D school so they don't care. I don't even know who you are and now you're telling me that I can earn $1,500 a day working for you? Bullshit."

Though his demeanor did not change, there was a flash of something I couldn't place in his eyes. He shrugged as he stood up, dusting off his uniform. "Do as you wish, but the offer is on the table. Try not to take too long to accept it, hm?"

I scoffed at his overconfidence.

He just hummed, setting a business card down on my desk. "Here's my number. Give me a call when you change your mind."

I watched him leave the room, the door closing behind him. What the hell just happened, man? There's no way in hell that job offer is legit. First off, why would a high school kid even need a bodyguard? He's not a damn celebrity. Secondly, how does a high school kid have $1,500 to drop a day on said bodyguard? Finally, why in the hell would he want me to be his bodyguard?

I didn't even graduate high school and being a bodyguard is a big leap from being a school security guard. I'm not qualified to protect anyone. God, imagine if it's legit, though. I'd be set for life! 

No more stressing about getting kicked out because I'm late on rent. No more living in a humid, hot ass environment because I don't have AC. No more having to count every single purchase so I don't go completely broke.

It sounds like a goddamn dream.

Kaz Colson, huh? I pulled out my phone, typing his name into Google. I expected maybe one or two results, maybe his Instagram and Twitter, but there were hundreds of articles about him.

Kaz Colson takes gold in Atlanta Under 17 Tennis Tournament!

Jun Colson, the founder and CEO of Colson publishing, has officially named his son as future CEO!

Did you know these 5 facts about superstar Kaz Colson?

Kaz Colson has officially been named the youngest billionaire.

Whitmore Academy wins the Under 17 Tennis Tournament for the 4th time in a row thanks to Kaz Colson!

Are you compatible with Kaz Colson? Take our quiz to find out!

Tennis prodigy Kaz Colson shares his workout routine and it's insane!

I fell back in my chair, disbelief flooding me as I stared at my phone. 

This kid is the real deal...

I glanced at the business card, feeling my resolve waver. I slowly reached for it, hand trembling as it hovered above the card. All of my problems could be solved with one phone call...

No! I quickly shook my head, hand balling into a fist before slamming down on top of the card. Rich bitches like him don't do charity without expecting something in return. The pay and the benefits may be great, but whatever he's going to ask for in return certainly won't be.

I've survived on my own for four years. I don't need his or anyone else's help.

With a scowl, I tossed the card into the bin before glancing at the clock and cursing. My lunch break had come to an end fifteen minutes ago. Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I grabbed my uniform jacket and rushed out of the office.