Because of the fire.

chapter four

Meadow lane was a posh neighborhood compared to Fairwood.  Dad stopped in front of a double storey house painted in grey. The lawn was so lush and the hedge was trimmed nicely ..a white picket fence fenced the house. We all got out of the car to check the house. Luke and I hurried to the backyard and I was so happy to see the huge swimming pool. Back in Fairwood, we didn't have a pool so I had every reason to love the new house. The backyard was so big in fact everything about this house was big..I'd have to see the rooms. I kicked off my slippers and put my feet in the inviting blue water.
I can't wait to buy my swimsuits. I'll be posting pictures on all my social media accounts.. Maybe I might love staying outdoors after all ... The pool is so lovely.
A voice suddenly startled me out of my thoughts.
"hey!"
It wasn't Luke. I quickly looked around to see where the voice had come from. I turned to my right and a guy was leaning over the picket fence. I immediately got up and walked towards him.
"hi," I said nervously.
Making acquaintances wasn't really my thing. There was however another reason for me to be nervous. Although I wasn't into Greek mythology, this guy before me was definitely the image of one of the gods.. Mercury.. Apollo? He had straight jet black hair, piercing grey eyes, his facial features were perfectly arranged on his flawless skin, he had an athletic build and his skin was perfectly tanned. He didn't look to be more than eighteen. My focus was brought back when I realized that he was talking to me while I was gawking.
Way to go idiot.
"I'm sorry.. What? " I said a tinge of pink already coloring my cheeks.
He grinned revealing a set of perfect, even white teeth which were even brighter in contrast to his coral lips.
"I suppose you're the new neighbors. I'm Earl... Earl Thornton. You are?"

"Collins... Tracy Collins. Yeah we the new neighbors. Just got here," I said in a voice that I didn't recognize as my own.
What's happening with me. Surely I should be more casual.

" nice to meet you Tracy. We might all come over to introduce ourselves properly. Not like this," he laughed.

"right. So how long have you lived here?" I asked.

"we moved in yesterday."

"oh, that's surprising.."
At that moment Luke came bounding towards me.

"Hey Trae. You should come in now, we're picking rooms. "

I turned to Earl, "this is my little brother, Luke."

He turned to look at Earl, "hi."

Earl smiled at him, "hey, I'm Earl. The twins will be so happy to meet you."

"I gotta go Earl," I said taking Luke's hand.

"see you soon," he said with an effortless smile.
There was something about his voice that was enchanting- if that applied to guys-. It wasn't that deep neither was it too soft. It was a voice I could listen to everyday.
We went into the house and climbed up the stairs. Mom and dad were standing on the landing.

"took you long enough," mom said.

"she met a boy!" Luke exclaimed before I could say anything.

"wow.. what's his name?"

"Earl.. He's our neighbor," I replied in a very calm tone.

"alright. Anyway you have to decide which room you want between these two. Luke has already picked his."

The first room was painted in dusty pink. The bed was bigger than the one I had before and close to the window. The dressing table was shiny and a  shiny mirror was fitted to the wall. Besides the dressing table was a huge full length mirror..luxuries of the new house. There was a chest of drawers on the other side of the bed. I immediately liked it.
Turning to mom I said, "what's the other room like? "