Sorry it took so long, but here's chapter two! :D
Chapter Two
"Say you're sorry."
The house stood motionless, it seemed. Inside, the pink tiles in the bathroom, the wine colored walls in the dining room, and the big, green couch in the living room. Home.
"Boys, can you help me with these last few boxes?' my mom asked as she pulled one of them from the van. "These are the last of everything from the bus. The movers got the rest earlier."
"Wow, I didn't realize we had this much on the bus," Kevin pondered.
As I walked outside again, I saw our neighbors, the Collins, come towards my mom.
"Denise!" Mrs. Collins yelled as she ran to hug my mother. They'd always been close to our family, so I was probably the only one not ecstatic to see them. Never-the-less, I walked over to greet them, as well.
"Jim, Karen! It's so good to see you!"
Kevin joined us and aided my mother in describing what tour was like. Meanwhile, I focused my view on the house across the street. The quaint, little abode was about the size of ours. In the back, I could still see the pink playhouse where I would spend endless hours as a kid. Reminiscing brought a scale to my face.
"Where's Alex?" Kevin asked, pulling me from memory lane and back to the present.
"I think she went for a walk. I'm sure she'll catch up with you boys later," Mrs. Collins answered.
I knew exactly where she'd be. I left them to their conversation and finished up with the boxes so I'd be allowed to go.
"Mom, mind if I go for a run?" I interrupted.
"No, go ahead, honey," she allowed, but with pause. "Oh, are Kristen and Spencer still out and about?"
"Yea, she said they'll be back before dinner. I shouldn't be long."
"Alright. Just be careful." I rolled my eyes at her maternal attitude.
The August air was warm on my face as I jogged. It was a bit of a hike once you entered the woods, but I noticed a light blue string tied to a tree every couple of yards, leading the way. The forest opened at the top of the hill to a grassy meadow. Surprisingly, the grass was trim and the air was brisk as the sun faded. Perched at the hill was a single oak tree, home to an old, but solid tree house.
Little, wobbling stairs led up to the main part and as I climbed them, my anxiety grew.
"Is this place getting smaller," I said, startling her as if she'd seen a ghost. "Or are we really that much bigger than we used to be?" In a way, I guess she was looking at a figment of imagination.
"I thought girls were supposed to stalk you, not the other way around?" she retorted sharply. Her hair was a bit longer than the last time I'd seen her, but the innocence in her eyes remained.
"Ouch," I replied.
"Why are you even here?"
"From what I remember, there's a deed buried around her somewhere that says we're co-owners of this place," I defended with a slight smirk.
She situated herself in the tight space she had and as a beam of sunlight slid over her eyes, they shined with a shade of blue so pure that I forgot the tension between us for a second.
"I came here to avoid you, Joey. You quit calling, quit texting, and for months I was left to wonder what I did wrong." And the tension flooded back... "So why now?"
"I know, Lexie," I frowned at my mistake.
"I'm not little Lexi anymore. I've grown up and now it's your turn." She stormed out of the tree house and into the approaching darkness as the evening sky began to fall upon the town. I had an urge to run after her; an irresistible need to make things better, but I couldn't - for the same reason I hurt her in the first place. Who knows how long we'll be home this time. If all goes well with the label, we'll be out to California soon and I'll just end up disappointing her again.
