Oblivion (Short Story)

February 26

Unlike other Monday mornings, that one had no sickness. Janna's typical morning routine is this: wake up, toss the blanket, morning rituals, eat breakfast, and read a book or just stare at the window. Kinda boring for a 17-year-old gal who have all the time and energy in the world. On the other hand, James still lying on his bed, wrapped with Guitar Hero themed blanket, staring at the ceiling. Take note, it's already 9 in the morning yet his lazy 18-year-old ass was still lying on the bed. 

"Mom, can I go for a walk?" Janna tried to ask her mom. She's too busy cutting the carrots so she just nodded in response. Janna took his sweater off the rack and wore a bunny ears bonnet.

"Hey honey, could you get me a cayenne pepper from Mrs. Meadows just across the road?" her mom asked before she could close the door. 'Across the road? It's James' and Jack's house isn't it?' she thought. But instead of questioning her, she just closed the door. She'd better find it out herself.

The outside looked like a dreary snow bed. Trees were covered with white ice crystals. Log piles were placed below the maple tree for the furnace. An old swing set stood by the side of the porch, waiting to be tarnished. Everything in their neighborhood looked dull, nothing's special. But that was kinda relieving for Janna. A gloomy place suits a lonely heart. 

Slowly, feeling every step on the blanket of snow, Janna walked to the Meadow's household. The house looked simple. A low single detached house, country-style house evidently. The blue paint was fading but the front porch looked like an art gallery. There were literally lots of colors splattered on the floor. She knocked once and called for Mrs. Meadows. But it was not the lady who opened up for her, it was the son, the elder son.

"What the he-, Janna, w-why... uh," he stuttered using his bedroom voice then slammed the door shut. She stood there shocked and awed. 'He really doesn't have manners,' she thought once again. But the sight of James continued replaying on her mind. He was just wearing his black boxers with his messy bed hairstyle. The thought of his pre-formed abs made her cheeks turn red. She shook off the perverted thought and tried to knock again. But before her knuckles touch the door, it flew open, exposing James who's then wearing a decent T-shirt and board shorts.

"Uh, sorry about that earlier. I thought it's just Nana. " he chuckled awkwardly but that didn't pull off. She couldn't still get over with the stunning bed voice and baby abs of James earlier which made her look like a cherry tomato. She then remembered why she went there the first place.

"Oh my mom asked me to ask your mom for cayenne peppers. Maybe quite some," she explained. She seemed fidgety, still not getting enough with the scene earlier. He somehow noticed the awkward aura of Janna and so he let her go inside of his house.

"Come in, come in. Oh c'mon where's my manners?" he mumbled under his breath. He looked embarrassed, frustrated, shy, and sleepy. All at the same time. The inside of the house looked like a boho chic room. Surprisingly, the interior looked girly, to think that there's two or maybe three boys living in the house. It was painted in all white with Polaroid frames hanging and pasted on the walls. Just adorable.