The Color of Your Eyes

Chapter 3

"My house?" Jake asks.

"Yeah," I nod " I was noticing all the shades of houses and I was wondering what yours was.

He pauses thinking. "It's. . . grey. The roof is dark grey."

Well okay then.

"How interesting," I say. "Well if that's all-"

"Your house is blue," Jake interrupts. "a pale blue. It has a dark grey roof but the house is a pretty blue."

I smile. "Thank you."

Jake is quiet for a long time. I can see he is deep in thought. A small frown on his face. I almost can tell what he is gonna say before he says it. "It's not fair," he looks at me in the eyes "All of us get to privilege to see color every day but for some reason, you cannot so now you live in a world where you know you are missing out on something you will never experience."

He looks genuinely sad. But right now I'm not in the mood for pity.

"But it's always been like that," I retort. "everyone has something funky about them, aren't you Lactose intolerant?"

Jake smiles. I can tell he gets where I'm going, I don't want pity. "Well, I'm also left-handed."

"I'm ambidextrous." I remind him.

"Ugh, again you are always one-upping me."

"Is that even a word?" I ask with a laugh.

"Ambidextrous? I don't know. You like to make up words a lot."

I just laugh harder.

Jake grins. "Your laugh is so weird Soul Crusher."

"At least I have one Jacob-Blacob."

Yes, I  did just call him Jacob-Blacob.

I guess now I have to explain. Around when we started Middle School we were sitting on Jake's porch swing on a late afternoon much like this one. And for some reason, the most obscure thought came to my mind.

"If Jake is short for Jacob. . ." I thought out loud. "Then is Blake short for Blacob?"

And without hesitation or even a confused look Jake answered, "Yes, my full name is actually Jacob-Blacob."

So now you know.

Random thoughts bring friends closer together.

I suggest that we should get some homework done. Because it is already almost 5:00.

"Have you finished the Biology paper?" I ask.

"No, you know I'm a world-class procrastinator."

I pull out the huge Biology book and we get to work. Time doesn't fly, but it doesn't drag on either.

We have different math homework, but we still do it together.

"Dude, I hate word problems," I complain. "I mean we're in Highschool, what is this?"

"About 47 watermelons." Jake answers without looking up.

I snort.

I lean back on Jake's bed. I stare at his ceiling fan spin. Jake's room is a little bland if I'm honest with you. There are no posters or action figures or trophies. On the walls are some drawings he's done. On the bedside table, there is a picture of him and Jordan after she graduated. There is a bookshelf with no little decorations. The most interesting thing about the room is a saxophone in the corner next to a guitar.

"Your room is boring Jake." I blurt out.

"What do you want? A poster of my favorite Basketball team?" He is still looking down at his homework.

"I want more stuff," I answer.

"Well, it ain't your room Nat."

"Yeah, it is, those are my drawings on those walls."

Jake throws his pillow at me. "Well, you should see how I color my room and then you won't be calling it 'bland'."

"What color is it?" I ask, interested.

"Secret."

I throw that pillow back at him.

Just then, Jake's mom Mrs. Miller came in. "Hello, Nat!" She says with a smile. Then she turns to Jake. "You need to finish that email." Then she withdraws from the room.

I raise one eyebrow. "What email?"

"Nothing." He says. I raise both eyebrows. "Fine, Mom's making me apply for a job that's all."

"You aren't even 16 yet!" I say.

"I will be next month," he reminds me. "It's crazy that our Sophomore year is ending."

"Not for me, I'm already 16."

"Goodness, I keep forgetting."

I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. If there is something Jake and I are known for it is our overuse of Sarcasm. I just respond "What it must be like to be so young."

He throws the pillow back again and laughs. "What time is it?" He looks around his room that has no clock.

I check my phone. "Oh shoot it's six forty-four!" I'm supposed to be home by now. I shove my stuff in my bag, shove on my glasses, and jump up. "I have to go. See you tomorrow!"

Jake just barely says goodbye as I hurl myself out the door. I wave to Anna then sprint down the street towards my house. My mom hates it when I'm past curfew. And even though this is Jake's house I know she won't take it lightly.

I make it to the house and sure enough, Mom is waiting for me in the Living room. "I was going to call."

"Sorry," I mumble. Mom doesn't usually get mad but even if she gets a little thrown off it is scary.

Surprisingly she smiles. "Well, I'm glad you're back. Just try to get home faster next time."

Relief fills my body. I put my bag away and head to the dining room. Kaelan is setting the table and Parker is staring at the food as if it's the last thing he'll ever see.

"Oh, you're home." I hear a voice behind me. I don't need to turn to know it's Lyla.

"No this is Natalie's twin sister," I respond with a grin. "Nat is still at the Miller's."

Lyla rolls her eyes. "Enough of your sarcasm." She sits down at her usual spot and I sit next to her. Parker is across and Kaelan next to him, Mom sits at the head.

The smell of potatoes and sausage fills my nostrils, and my mouth starts to water.

"Shall we eat?" Mom asks. A silly question really.