Project GoldCrest ✓

Chapter 13

Charlotte

It was Monday, afterschool. I was walking with my friends towards the parking lot, so that I would wait for my mother to come pick me up.

We were just talking about how we didn't get to spend enough time with Angela, the cat. Things have been weird between us since Sophia's incident. We've only been treading around light topics, thus completely avoiding anything to do with what happened.

After that night, we all woke up and ate breakfast in the kitchen with Jessica. As if everything was normal. As if we didn't just witness something disturbing the night before. Strangely enough, I felt calm and clear headed that morning. It was probably because Jessica had hugged us.

Sophia's mother was one graceful, weirdly mysterious woman. She was poised and reminded me of Corinne in a way. I miss my old friends so much. Nothing surprised me more that morning than when Jessica showed up, hugged us, and made us breakfast. All of that without any words addressing the incident, slipping past her lips. I remember thinking that something was different with her. She wasn't as bubbly as the evening before. I wanted to ask her about it, but I was scared that I didn't really know her well enough to be asking her those kinds of intrusive questions. She left us right after we were done eating.

After that, we'd just lingered around their large living room talking about small things. Favourite colours and favourite music. There was one artist we bonded over, a woman who actually cared about the audience as she performed, one who made her concerts intimate for her listeners. As for colours, we just agreed that lavender was calming. And that was how we slipped into therapeutic things.

For example, I learned that Sophia and I both liked the smell of rain. Chrissy preferred the smell of pine cones. Chrissy and I liked lemons, while Sophie just preferred oranges. We learnt a few details about each other that were so trivial, yet they were so important. I'd even go as far as saying we were very close friends now.

Anyway during the day, my mother arrived in her black SUV to pick up Chrissy and I. We begrudgingly said our goodbyes and exchanged hugs. Then went on to text each other from the comfort of our own homes. It only lasted a little while before things turned weird and we stopped.

I let Cole and Mickey know that I was back. Cole responded with a heart emoji, while Mickey sent me a smiley face. Then I spent Sunday at home, finishing a bit of homework, and went on to exercise. I tried to relax and not think about much.

I said my goodbyes once I spotted the car. Once I arrived at home, I called Henry over. I did some homework while I waited for him. I didn't plan on starting on the task my mother had given me the last time he visited.

An hour later, I heard the doorbell ring. I opened the door for Henry. "Hello," we greeted each other. He was wearing white sneakers, grey pants and had a blue checkered shirt on. He topped it all off with a cap on top. I looked at my maroon short skirt paired with a white tank top, and sandals. Yeah, very classy.

"Do you want anything to drink? Or maybe a snack?" I asked him as we were about to pass the kitchen. This time, I'd make sure I was a decent host, at least.

Henry looked as if he was about to say no, but seemed to think better of it. "Actually, I'd like some soda if you have some? Or we can just work in the kitchen."

"Fine by me," I gave him a smile.

I got him a soda from the fridge and we started working on the project. Henry was a bit difficult, especially when I wanted to add a few details. But in the end, he finally agreed and admitted that he hoped I'd made the right call. We wrote down a few specifications for the next time we would meet up again. Then we took a break.