((Seriously love his cute face right before he gets hit in the face with a paint bucket. Such as innocent face. Anyway, my birthday is in about, what? 2 weeks? My 17th birthday in a matter of fact. Just so happens to be the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd releasing the album The Dark Side of the Moon as well.

Summary: Babysitting Kevin while his parents accidentally left him home alone

Words: 3.7k words

One of the families I babysit for mentioned that they were off to Paris for Christmas. Kate McCallister, the mother, wanted me to check on their house every so often while they were away. So she stopped by my house and gave me a spare key the day before their big trip. I decided that maybe I should clean up their house a bit so it'll look nice when they come home. And I should probably feed Buzz's tarantula while I'm at it. I walked outside into my snowy front yard. I adjusted the collar on my leather jacket before starting the walk to their house. Dad really didn't want me to be away for too long. Mostly because it was Christmas and he wanted everyone to be together. I pressed play on my walkman. Then I looked up to see a pale blue van parked right across the street from the McCallister's house. Judging that it was a plumbing van. I assumed the neighbor's were getting some work done on their house while they were away. So I shrugged it off. As I got closer to their house though; the two middle aged men inside looked nothing like plumbers. Which made me just a little concerned on why they were just parked outside. But the one sitting in the passenger did look a little attractive. Don't remember seeing him around here. As well as the one sitting at the driver's seat. I kept staring at them until I was in the driveway. The both of them were watching me intently. "Creeps." I turned around. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the key. As I was fumbling with the keys, I heard movement inside. They said they were leaving around 8 am, couldn't they still be home? Then I was worried that their house was being robbed. So I quickly unlocked the front door and stepped inside. I closed the front door and peeked into the kitchen. Kate's youngest son, Kevin, who I usually babysat for was at the kitchen counter. "Kevin?" I set my bag down, "Oh hey Modesta." He smiled at me. I immediately noticed the huge mess he was making on the kitchen counter. "I thought you guys went to Paris." I stood beside him, "I don't know what happened to everyone. I just woke up and they were all gone." Kevin shrugged, "Damn, they probably forgot you..." I mumbled.

I decided to just stay there for a while. I know Dad's gonna throw a fit. But one of the kids I babysit is home alone. And I need to make sure nothing bad happens to him. Even if it means pissing my Dad off. Because Kevin is one of my favorite kids to babysit. It always seemed that we got along the most. And he always tells me he prefers me over all of his siblings. I wouldn't blame him though. His siblings are complete jerks. "Hey Modesta." Kevin caught my attention. The both of us were sitting in the living room late at night watching a movie. "Yeah?" I turned my head towards him, "There's this creepy van that keeps parking outside my house." He replied, "I've noticed. They were staring at me pretty hard when I came through the front door." I drank some Pepsi from a glass bottle, "Do you think they're gonna rob my house?" Kevin sounded petrified, "Not on my watch they aren't." I smiled at him, followed by him also smiling. Nothing was mentioned about the creepy strangers until much later. It was almost midnight and Kevin had fallen asleep while I went ahead and played a different movie. I was close to falling asleep. But something prevented me from doing so. Headlights shined through the windows. I wondered if Kevin's parents came home early. Or it could be my Dad. They backed up into the driveway. Kevin woke up as soon as they closed the doors of their vehicle. "Shhhh, I'll see who it is." I quietly got up from the recliner. "Where?" A male voice asked, "This way." Another one responded. Then I started to become scared. I rushed down to the basement. The sound of cracking wood could be heard. Before my finger could reach the light switch; I heard knocking at the front door. "Shit, we gotta get outta here." One of them said, followed by footsteps running off. I went back upstairs and saw that Kevin had already opened the front door. It was my Dad. He was about to say something to me, when he heard the sound of screeching tires. I watched the same van from earlier speed off. "Jeez, you saved my life." Kevin said, "Who was that?" Dad squinted down the dark street, "Those guys were trying to rob Kevin's house. But you scared them off." I answered.

Dad sighed and stepped inside. "You said you were just going to check on the house. You've been gone for hours." He stuffed the car keys in his pocket, "Well, I was going to before I found out they accidentally left Kevin here on his own." I motioned my head towards Kevin, "Then why can't he just stay at our house?" Dad asked us, "No! They're gonna come back and rob my house!" Kevin suddenly shouted. Dad's response was to sigh in annoyance. "Come on Dad, he's only 8 years old. I wanna keep him safe." I laid my hand on Kevin's shoulder, "Fine." Dad breathed out, "But if those guys come back. Please let me know." He continued while I just nodded. I watched as Dad climbed back into his old station wagon before disappearing out of sight. "I don't know what we would do if he never showed up." I sighed in relief, "I know." Kevin did the same.

I thought that was the last time they'd show up. But I was wrong. These guys just won't give up. Because there were multiple incidents when they showed up while I was away. Kevin had explained it to me. One of them was at his back door at one point. Then they drove past his house at night as well. What made everything worse is what he told me next; both of them are coming back at 9 pm tonight to rob Kevin's house. So I knew I had to sneak out of the house to make sure these guys didn't hurt Kevin. But the only problem was actually trying to get inside the house without them seeing me. Because I knew I'd be in huge trouble if they did. Once I reached Kevin's house; I saw the same van parked across the street. Without even getting a good look to see if they were even inside, I walked around to the backyard. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the both of them standing at the backdoor. "We know that you're in there, little buddy. And that you're all alone." The shorter one exclaimed, "It's Santa Clause, and his elf." The taller one joked. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't intervene because they were probably both stronger than me. With the taller guy; it looked like he was at least 6 feet tall. There was no way I could take him on. Then again he acted like he was a total idiot. And I also had to make it my mission to keep Kevin safe. Because if something happens to him, his parents are gonna blame me for it. I took a deep breath. "Hey, idiots!" I shouted, causing both of them to take their attention to me, "Why don't you pick on someone your own size, huh?" I crossed my arms. "What are you waiting for? Get her!" The shorter one elbowed the taller one. Once he ran towards me, I darted the other direction. I knew he would probably run faster than me due to his longer legs. But then again I would rather something happen to me then happen to Kevin.

Suddenly arms scooped me up and I was lifted above the ground. "I got her, Harry!" He laughed while walking back over to the backyard of Kevin's house. I squirmed in his grasp, but there was no use. He was far stronger than me. "What do you want me to do to her? She'll probably tell the cops." He asked his friend. I peeked at the back window and saw Kevin. He looked really scared and concerned. "Put her in the van or something. Make sure it's locked." He answered him. Then he walked back over to the front yard. "You're really brave for doing that." He spoke up, "And you're a total idiot." I responded just as he reached the passenger side door of the van. "You don't really mean that." He laughed before throwing me inside the van. "You aren't going to leave me here, are you?" I stared at his features that were partially illuminated by the streetlights above, "That's what Harry told me to do." He shrugged, "If you do, I'll break the window." I threatened. I didn't actually mean that. I was too weak to do that. I just didn't wanna be left in here alone. "You won't." He laughed, "I will." I stared at him with a serious face, "Wait, you will?" He seemed a little shocked, "Yes." I answered. I almost had to prevent myself from laughing at how stupid he was. He kept glancing back at Kevin's house, then back at me. He continued this for a couple seconds until he finally made his decision. "Fine." He mumbled before scooting next to me and closing the passenger door. Then there was an awkward silence amongst us. My eyes slowly scanned over to him. That's the moment when I really took in his facial features; he had dark curly hair, somewhat of a beard, (a strange looking one to me), and enchanting blue eyes. I felt like it was love at first sight.

I stared too long. I knew I shouldn't have looked. "What?" He looked down at me, "Nothing." I looked out the windshield, "Why were you looking at me?" He repeated, "I wasn't. I was looking out the window beside you." I lied. He was stupid. But he wasn't stupid enough to fall for that lie. "No you weren't." He said, "Uhmm, yes I was-" I repeated, "Nu-uh." He leaned his face closer towards me, "Yes." I didn't seem the least bit phased from the closeness of his face, "No." He said back. I was about to continue arguing when I felt his hand trailing down my thigh. My face became red. Why was he doing this? Was he trying to win the argument? I looked away from him and back at his hand. "No." He leaned down closer to me, whispering directly into my ear. Shivers ran down my spine. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Why did he whisper it? Was he purposely making me uncomfortable? "Marv!" I heard a voice shout outside. I looked out the window and saw his short friend rushing towards the van. He opened the driver side door, "What the hell? I told you to lock her in the van, not stay with her." He yelled at, who I assume was named Marv. "She said she'd break the window if I left her here." He pleaded to his friend, "And you actually believe her? Look how weak she looks!" He pointed at me as he spoke, "That's stereotyping..." I mumbled under my breath at his remark. "I, uhm, uhhh-" Marv stumbled on his words, "What? Do you like her or something?" He said. My eyes widened. There was no way he just said that out loud. When Marv is literally sitting right beside me. Oh god. This isn't going to go well. I can just feel it. "What!? No, of course not!" Marv laughed awkwardly, "That sounded so sarcastic." His friend replied, "No, seriously!" Marv slapped his hand against my thigh. I jumped from the sudden action. Except his friend still didn't believe him. "Why'd you agree to stay with her then?" He crossed his arms, "Because-" Marv sighed, "See?" His friend groaned in annoyance before glancing back at Kevin's house. "You wanna rob this house or stay with your little girlfriend, huh, Marv?" He said, "I-" Marv started to fidget with his fingers. "I mean, I'm just Kevin's babysitter." I shrugged my shoulders, "I thought you were his sister." Marv spoke up, "No." I slapped my sweaty hands against my clothed knees. "Okay, you know what? I'm going to stay with her." Marv crossed his arms and slouched back, "Ugh, fine-" He mumbled before slamming the door closed and speeding back over to Kevin's house.

A few minutes in awkward silence pass by, that is until I eventually speak up. "What was your friend on about?" I asked, "Oh, Harry? I wouldn't worry too much about him." He answered without making eye contact, "I mean, about you liking me-" I cleared my throat, "Oh, that, right-" Marv sounded really nervous. I continued to stare at him until he responded. "Uhmmm-" He continued, "is Harry going to be back soon?" He leaned over to look out the driver side window. That's when I knew he was avoiding telling me. So that means he most likely does like me. And his friend Harry wasn't joking. Why am I becoming so flustered at the very thought? I just met him. And besides, I promised to protect Kevin from these guys. Yet here I am. Falling for one of them. "I'll just go. My Dad is probably worried about me." I sighed before scooting over to the driver side door, "No, wait-" Marv grabbed my arm just before I grabbed the door handle. I stopped and looked at him. "Okay, so Harry wasn't joking. I do like you, like, have a crush on you-" He started to explain. I was at a loss for words. I didn't actually fully believe his friend when he said that. But now I do. Somebody actually likes me. I can't believe it. This has to be some sort of joke. And someone who's actually attractive likes me back. "You look shocked. Should I take that personally?" Marv sounded upset, "I am shocked. But not in a bad way." I laid my hand on his shoulder, "What do you mean by that?" He asked me, "I also like you, Marv. I just didn't expect you to like me as well." The happy look on his face was enough to make me forget the whole reason I was even sitting in the front seat of their van in the first place. "Really?" He practically shouted, "Yes-" I leaned back from the sudden shouting.

Right as I least expected it. Marv grabbed both my shoulders. Then he yanked me towards him. I was unsure and scared of what he was planning. Yet I was also curious to see where this was going. After wincing from whatever action he was about to commit... my eyes widened from the sudden feeling of soft lips against mine. He was kissing me. I haven't even confirmed if we were dating or not. And he already kissed me. But oh it felt amazing. I didn't want this moment to end. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." Marv pulled away from me. Instead of accepting his apology. I grabbed the collar of his shirt. I pulled his body against mine. Then I yanked him downwards on top of me. Before then kissing him, but even more passionate and aggressive than before. We kissed for about 2 minutes before we both ran out of air. "That was... unexpected." Marv breathed onto my lips as he spoke, "I know." I giggled at his expression.

I sat up at the sound of a car engine. My Dad's station wagon was parked outside. "Oh shit." I pushed Marv off of me, "What?" He sat up confused, "My Dad is here. I told him I was going to check on Kevin." I tried opening the door. It was still locked. Harry had the keys. "Well, we're sorta stuck in here." Marv shrugged. I groaned and leaned my back against him. "He's gonna kill me." I held my head in frustration, "Hey, hey, it's alright." I felt his hands running through my hair. Which was somehow relaxing to me. Then again, I remember Dad had also seen both Harry and Marv speeding off in their van the other day. So that could possibly mean he could recognize their van parked across the street. One of his hands grabbed mine. It was weird that I was being comforted by someone I practically just met. But it was somehow relaxing. Knowing I had feelings for him.

Instead of going home for Christmas like Dad wanted me to. I stayed at Kevin's house. Soon enough his Mom and entire family returned home from their delayed vacation to Paris. His Mom thanked me a million times for watching over him. I was just glad I wasn't going to be responsible for anything. They even let me and my family spend Christmas with them. For a moment I almost didn't want to, for one reason; I wanted to spend Christmas with Marv. Because I just couldn't seem to get him off of my mind. And I wondered if we actually were officially dating. I would say so. As everyone; my family and the McCallister family were busy opening presents. I snuck outside while nobody was looking. I found something in my house lying around. It wasn't the best Christmas gift in the world, but it's better than nothing. It was a Christmas snow globe my Mom had gifted me a while back. The only reason I was giving it away was because I remember saying that if I ever found someone, I would give it to them to show them how much I love them. Thankfully that time has finally come. I searched around the snowy neighborhood until my eyes landed on their van parked not too far off. I smiled at the very thought of Marv's handsome face. The sound of his voice. Those beautiful blue eyes. His curly hair that I so badly wanted to touch. And most importantly; that gorgeous face that I fell so hard for. Plus his stupid and clumsy personality that I found so adorable. But his friend was about to find out about our relationship in a second. The passenger door opened and Marv ran towards me, pulling me into an extra tight hug, almost causing me to drop the beloved snow globe. "Whoa, whoa-" I giggled, "Aren't you going to be spending Christmas with your family?" He backed up to look at me, "I was. But I wanted to give you something." I answered while looking up at him, "Oh, really? Like a Christmas present?" He smiled widely, "Exactly." I grabbed the snow globe and handed it to him. I watched as his eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, yes! It's so beautiful! Just like you!" He spun around and hugged the snow globe before hugging me once again. I could practically feel my heart melting at his reaction. "Okay, what's going on here?" I heard Harry's voice followed by a car door slamming closed. Marv stopped hugging me to look at his friend. "What?" He had a clueless look on his face, "Did you just call her beautiful?" Harry asked confused, "Uhm, yeah, why?" Marv slipped his hand into mine as he spoke. Something Harry noticed right away. "You guys are dating now?" He looked between the both of us, "Yup." I answered proudly.

4Harry went back inside their van while I mistakenly walked back to the McCallister's house with Marv. I forgot they were the same ones who tried robbing Kevin. And here I was. Taking Marv to that same exact house he tried robbing the night before. The very thought made me start to overthink. What if Marv is just using me to get inside their house? No, he wouldn't. He's too sweet. And nobody would be that desperate to get inside some stranger's house. I walked through the front door and was immediately met by Kevin who had a shocked look on his face. My eyes slowly looked beside me and saw Marv still standing beside me. Except he was too busy looking around the house to even notice Kevin. "Welp-" I saw Dad standing in the kitchen. He already noticed Marv standing beside me. So it was too late now. He stormed over to me while in the middle of a conversation with Kevin's Dad. "Care to explain who this is?" He crossed his arms, "He tried robbing my house!" Kevin randomly pointed out, "What! No, Kevin! Be quiet!" I tried stopping him. Marv had a stupid clueless look on his face. "Kids these days." Dad laughed while I just laughed along with him. Kevin looked really disappointed. So he just went off into the living room. "Anyway, Modesta-" He stopped when he noticed Marv holding my prized snow globe. Because I have mentioned to Dad before about me giving it to my future boyfriend. "Why does he have your snow globe?" He slowly asked, "Because, I, uhm-" I looked around, "It was a Christmas gift." Marv finally spoke up, "Yeah, she's the same one who mentioned that she'd only give it to her future boyfriend." Dad sounded pissed off, "You did?" Marv looked down at me while I just smiled awkwardly, "Well, yes-" I responded. I grabbed tightly onto Marv's hand while glancing back at Dad. "Yes, he's my boyfriend. And I'm not ashamed to admit it."