Brightsider's Secrets

The Mysterious Letter

I threw open the front door of my apartment and flicked the light switch. The familiar smell of my apartment made me realize that I could finally take in a deep and calming breath. I walked slowly to the couch and carefully laid down. All of my muscles ached, even simple movements were painful. After what happened at the gas station the other day, my obnoxious boss, Janet, gave me a couple days off.

I put my hands behind my head and stretched out. I had no time to relax after Adam took me to the hospital. The doctors declared my nose broken in several places along with a few broken ribs and some internal bleeding. I guess I fell a lot harder than I thought. Several very expensive surgeries later, my nose is fixed and I'm able to go home. My eyes fluttered closed as I started to drift off...

"You shouldn't leave your door open, Wesley." an annoying, raspy voice spoke from my doorway. I took a deep breathe and tried to keep my cool.

"What do you want, Mandy." I looked towards the girl. She wore the same knee-length skirt and leggings combo. At least she actually combed her hair today. I got up from the couch and started making my way towards her.

"I told you not to call me Mandy! Its A-man-da." she stomped her foot and clenched her fists. Well, one fist. In the other hand she held a basket with a cloth over it.

"What's in the basket, a bomb?" I motioned towards it. She rolled her eyes as if I was the biggest idiot on the planet.

"No, silly!" she giggled, "They're cookies!" She smiled wide removed the cloth to show what I presumed were supposed to be cookies. Sometimes it was hard to believe Mandy was the same age as me. I reached out and delicately took the basket from her. "So, these won't kill me?" she glared at me while I tried not to crack a smile. "Okay then, good." I swung my arm into the tiny apartment, as if welcoming her in, and in my best british accent, stated, "Would you care to join me for tea and cookies?"

She smiled her contagious smile and waltzed into the apartment. I closed the door and followed her into the kitchen. Mandy went straight to the cupboard where I kept the tea, which I only happened to drink when she was over. She got out the tea pot and filled it with water while I took my usual spot at the couch.

"So, I was reading the local paper this morning." When Mandy didn't add on, I knew she wanted me to actually participate in our discussion.

"And what did you read, Mandy?" If she was going to make me listen, I was going to make it as painful for her as possible. She sighed before continuing,

"Well, for starts, you were in it. The robbery and all." I jerked up from the couch and pain shoot through my body. She kept talking, not noticing my shock. "I just cannot believe you beat up those big, muscle-y guys!" Her arms shot up in excitement and squealed.

"It's in the paper?" I said to myself in disbelief. The only thing I hate, besides Janet, is attention. My breathing quickened and I thought back to how the leader of the uglies had known my name. What if the robbery had been planned...

"Yes, silly! I thought we had already gone over that!" She chuckled and then resumed talking. I tuned it all out again, consumed in my own thoughts. My mind began to jump to the worse scenarios possible. What if I have a stalker? What if they are watching me RIGHT NOW? What if aliens...

"WESLEY!" I snapped out of my thoughts with Mandy screaming two inches away from my face.

"Yes...?" I smiled shyly, embarrassed by my zoning out. She shook her head, amused.

"Sometimes I wonder what's going through that big, stupid head of yours" She sighed and walked back over to the now screaming tea pot. I carefully got up and followed her to the stove. As she was pouring the tea, I wrapped my arms around her arms to keep her from moving.