"OUCH!" I heard Ben's cry coming from my bathroom and rushed downstairs from the kitchen leaving my brekkie. My little brother was running around like a chicken without its head, yelling and screaming.
"Ben, how many times do I have to tell you? The hair straightener is hot. Okay? Burning hot." This was the third time in a month he had gripped my straightener, while it was on, out of curiosity.
I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the sink, turning the cold water on. "Stay there and leave it under the cold water okay?"
"Yes Jacinta," he said in his small-kid-winy-voice. I picked it up and straightened the kinks in my long copper coloured hair. I also did my makeup and after that I decided Ben's hand had gotten better and told him he could go. I finished my - now cold - breakfast and by eight am I was at the bus stop set and ready for my last day of term, my schoolbag hung on one shoulder, full of school books. The bus came to a halt and I climbed in.
***
"Hello dear," My mum said, wiping her hand on her apron that afternoon when I returned home. "How was your day?"
"It was good." I answered coolly, collapsing onto the couch.
"Jacinta could you please take these cookies over to Mr. and Mrs. Porch?" Mr Porch and Mrs Porch were an old couple who lived in my street and mum often took things over to them.
"Sure, just let me get changed out of this horrid uniform," I said. I got up off the couch reluctantly and went down to my room. At the moment, it was tidy, my clothes all hanging up but that was only because I had been forced to clean it before school started again. Normally I had a floordrobe, where I would just spread my clothes and other things all on the floor. I changed into shorts and a cute, blue and white top. Slipping on some flats, I got the box of cookies and set of down the street. They lived across the road, four houses down, in a house I thought was rather large for two old people.
I knocked on the wooden door, knowing they would take a while to come to the door. But I was taken aback when the door was suddenly opened by a cute guy. He looked about my age and he held a guitar in his hand - something that interested me. His coal black hair, vivid green eyes and slim, muscular form made for an amazing combination. He wore denim jeans and a short sleeved t-shirt that revealed tattoos up his right arm. But the thing was...Mr and Mrs Porch had never had children, which meant no cute teenage grandsons.
Noticing my silence he asked, "Can I help you?" with a curious smile.
"Uh...yes. I'm looking for Mr and Mrs Porch?" I said, returning his smile.
He ran a hand through his dark hair and said, "They've moved out.''
I stared at him. "Really? When?"
"About a month ago." He said laughing a bit at my surprise.
"Oh...what a shame, they were nice people." I said frowning; just a little upset I had never had a chance to say my goodbyes. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and looked back up at him. I was about to say I had to leave when he introduced himself.
"Taylor Kelp," Taylor offered me his hand and I shook it
"I'm Jacinta Belle. I live just down the road," I said gesturing to my brick house.
"Would you like to come inside? I'd like to get to know some of my neighbours." Taylor winked at me and a sudden feeling on unease came over me. I barely new this guy and for all I knew he could have Mr and Mrs Porch tied up in his living room. ...At least that way I could still deliver the cookies.... but no, that was a crazy idea, I told myself. But still, I declined.
