The rest of my classes blurred by pretty quickly. By the time the final bell rang, I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to get home. Tomorrow was Friday, just one more day I had to survive.
I put my Chemistry book in my locker, exchanging it for my cream colored fur-trimmed jacket. I threw it on and buttoned it up, preparing myself for the walk home. It's a cold, January day and normally on these kinds of occasions, my mom would pick me up. Unfortunately for me though, today she's working late and I'm forced to walk home in the bitter cold.
I grabbed some thin white gloves out of my locker, slipped them on, then shut my locker. Walking down the halls, I always feel like a giant snowman in my winter coat. But it doesn't matter because once I step outside, I'm surrounded by the chilling winter air. I look up to see snow flakes gently fall and close my eyes, enjoying the crisp feeling. Shivers are sent through my body as I stay put, listening to the silence all around me. Since I took a while to properly dress myself for the weather, almost everyone has left. There's only maybe two or three people still sitting there, waiting for someone to pick them up.
I open my eyes and breathe in deeply, then pull my hood over my head. I tuck my slightly-wavy brown hair behind my ear, then stick my hands in my pockets and begin walking. Thankfully, my house isn't too far from the school. The walk is peaceful too, especially during the winter.
I reach the main street and press the button to cross. Leaning against the traffic light pole waiting, I hear very faint footsteps behind me. Assuming it's just another pedestrian like me, I twirl my foot around, creating indescribable patterns in the snow. The footsteps grew louder then suddenly stopped.
"Hey," a smooth voice says quietly. Just within an inch from my ear, I could feel the person's warm breath on my neck and I jump forward, not noticing anyone was that close behind me. I turn around to see Nathan standing there with a smirk on his face, obviously amused by my reaction.
His black hair, perfectly styled without any effort is covered lightly with gentle snowflakes. His cheeks are tinted a slight rosy pink from the cold. His piercing blue eyes are staring down at me, dancing with amusement, just like the small smirk on his face.
"Oh um, hi..." I stutter awkwardly. What was he doing here?
"Walking home?" he asked and I nodded in response. Just then the crosswalk light turned green and we both began walking again.
"Same," he replied. Nathan? Walking home? Since when has he been walking home? I always thought he rode the bus or got a ride from his upperclassmen friends.
“You walk home?” I asked as we reached the other side of the street, looking ahead.
“Yeah, do you?” he asked back.
“Yeah, every day,” I mumbled nervously.
“Really? How come I don’t see you?” he looked over at me curiously and I looked back up at him.
“I don’t normally leave this late,” I stared back ahead, taking in the line of trees around me, covered in snow.
“Ah, I see,” he said and I nodded as we continued walking in silence. He cleared his throat awkwardly and added, “I love winter.”
“Me too,” I smiled and breathed in the snowflakes that were falling a bit harder now. I remember hearing something about a blizzard warning earlier.
“It’s so calming, quiet... worry free...” he spoke softly as he looked around then back at down at me. “It’s beautiful.”
I could tell I was blushing when I looked up to find him looking at me. Was he flirting with me? I quickly averted my eyes from his gaze and changed the subject, “So um, where do you live? Not to be creepy....”
“It’s not creepy, I live over by Holloway Park.” he smiled and I almost stopped in my tracks right there.
“Wait, seriously?” I stammered.
“Seriously,” he laughed. “Why? Do you live over there too?”
“Yes!” I blurted out a bit too excitedly then spoke quieter. “I mean uh, yeah... I do...”
“That’s awesome,” he chuckled again at my excitement. “I just moved over here from the south part of town.”
“That’s really cool, how are you liking it?” I asked him.
“Well it’s a lot better now that I know someone by me,” he admitted and I smiled slightly to myself. We were now only about a minute from my house and I grew sad because I wouldn’t be able to talk to Nathan for much longer.
“What’s wrong?” he interrupted my thoughts, probably noticing the expression on my face.
“Oh, nothing, just thinking that’s all,” I lied. “But um, my house is right there so uh yeah...”
He looked over to where I was pointing and observed my house then looked a bit shocked, “Wait a minute, you live at 3307?”
“Yeah, why...” I responded.
“I live at 3311!” he smiled happily at me.
“You’re the new neighbor?” my smile growing wider.
“I guess so!” We both laughed a bit and he added, “I’ve been sticking inside, helping with the ‘interior decorating’.”
“I see,” I giggled.
“Well you’ve probably got stuff to do so I’ll leave you be but see you around, right?” his mouth curved into that incredible smirk of his.
“Uh, yeah see you tomorrow,” I smiled and turned around, heading up my driveway. He watched as I fumbled around for my key, then successfully opened the door. Warm air hugged me tight as I stepped in and closed the door behind me. The house was to myself except for my dog who excitedly ran up to greet me as soon as I stepped foot inside.
“Hey Thunder! Hey boy!” I kneeled down and pet him as he began frantically licking my face and wagging his tail so fast I thought it might fall off. “Are you hungry? Huh? Huh?”
I stood up and quickly shook my boots off, followed by my coat and gloves. I strolled over to the kitchen and opened the cabinet. Grabbing his food off the bottom shelf, I carried it over to the counter and opened the container, scooping some up for Thunder. All the while, the overly excited siberian husky is hopping up and down on his front paws, licking his lips and panting wildly. Don’t worry, he does this every single day. I don’t know how he can be so excited for something he eats everyday but hey, welcome to the life of a dog.
I poured the cup of food in his bowl and scooted back, watching him inhale the food in front of him. I giggled at him as I walked back over and put the container of dog food back in the cabinet.
I walked over to the living room and plopped down on the couch, reaching for the remote and flipping the TV on. I searched through until I found Cake Boss, a decent show considering I love baking. I grabbed a blanket and curled up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket and finally get situated....
When I hear the doorbell ring.
I grunt and push the blanket off me, getting up from my perfect position and make my way over to the front door.
“It better not be those damn Mormons again,” I mumble to myself as I reach the door. I swing it open and look up at my visitor and my jaw drops.
“Hey uh... so... I’m kinda locked out...” says Nathan.
