wish list | daerin

❛ Out of the Blue ❜

⌗ 3

Saturday comes creeping back around much quicker than I could possibly imagine. Though, with what's to come, I'm not at all opposed to it.

I'm sprawled across my front porch on a bench that my Dad had thrifted for who knows how much—either way, it's cute and I can take in the morning sunlight while reading a book.

I read from where I left off—placing my bookmark on the empty space next to me. The warmth of the sun is comforting, mixed with the sounds of nature and the birds chirping.

It's been a while since I last picked up my book. I can hardly remember the last time I sat down and read more than two pages before being called for dinner or to do chores or walk the dog.

I finally get some time to myself. To unwind and take in the fresh air, the Vitamin C and the looks of passer-by's who seem to be equally as shocked to find a teen reading a book and not Twitter.

Who doesn't love some hot Twitter gossip first thing in the morning though? I sure enjoy it.
Nevertheless, nothing could quite compare to book in hand. The Girl's I've Been by Tess Sharpe. A solid read. I only pray that the film adaptation would do the book justice.

I read for what seems like a mere five minutes before I get called in to help sort out through the washing and have them brought up to everyone's rooms. Thankfully, it doesn't take too much time.

I head back down to the first floor and make my way out to the front porch. Excited, I sit back down on the bench, only to realise that my book was nowhere to be seen. I left it here, right?

"Mum, did I leave my book in there?"

It takes me several moments to realise that there's no way my mother would've heard that. With a sigh, I stand up from my seat and walk back to the front door, pushing it open slightly.

"Hey, did I leave my book in there?" I asked.

My mum walks down the hall and shakes her head, "No, you didn't. You left it outside."

Right, I did leave it outside...

"I thought so... that's weird. It's not on the bench anymore," I pout. "Do you think someone..."

"Stole it?" My mum finished my sentence. "No one stole your book, honey."

I crease my brows, "Okay... but if no one stole it and I didn't bring it inside... then where..."

She points to the intercom that's attached to the living room wall. "She took it. And then hid."

I take several moments to try and process the six words that left my mother's mouth. She took it and then hid. I'm not too sure I understand.

Mara uses her Saturday mornings to take a private pilates session. Meanwhile, Mavis sleeps in till noon, and if she gets lucky, maybe (much) later in the afternoon before she gets physically dragged out of bed. Ellie, on the other hand would be starting her day off by greeting all her plants and succulents a 'good morning'.

No bone in my body could ever physically allow me to be nice to any guest before lunch time. The girls know it for a fact. It's not them. I know it.

"The girls are all busy," I explain. "And now I'm just confused. So who took it? I'm getting brain damage just trying to figure this out."

"Haerin-ah, close the door. You're going to let in all the flies and all sorts of bugs," My mum complained. She isn't a big fan of the whole Mason situation but if it keeps me happy, she allows it. But in this house, I'm Haerin.

"And don't be rude," She adds. "If you're going to invite friends over let them in. "Jihye, come inside dear. Would you like something to eat?"

I feel my feet sink into the ground—better yet, my heart is close enough to the ground as it is. I feel my mouth start to dry up quicker than a puddle of water on a hot summers day.

"How are you finding the book so far?" I could recognise that voice anywhere. Be it a crowded street or in the middle of a brawl.

I turn my body around to face her as soon as I manage to physically move my body from a position I never knew I could remove myself from. Being in Riley's presence was somewhat dangerous—in situations like this. Uncalled for.

It's not the first time that I've done this—or my body, really. I felt like I had glued myself to the ground in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.

"Riley, this is so out of the blue," I chuckle. "What on earth are you doing here?" I question. "If you knew you were coming I would've prepared..."

She tucks her hair behind her ears and smiles, "I know. I would've texted you but I was honestly on my way to see my little cousin...my aunt and uncle live two streets away and on my way there...I found myself walking towards yours."

It only takes her soft smile to make my heart do some sort of gymnastics routine—beating loud enough for me to hear it—and I pray to God, with every fibre of my being, that she doesn't.

Realistically speaking, Riley would need to be awfully close for her to hear my heartbeat. Nevertheless, she really won't. Nope.

"You walked all the way here?" I asked.

"It's just two streets away," She laughed. "From my aunt's house at least. When I got here you had just gotten through the front door so I thought it'd be kinda funny to take your book and hide along with it somewhere."

"So, you've been out here this whole time?"

Riley nods slowly as she takes several steps closer and holds the book out in front of her. "I didn't realise you'd be inside for a while so I sat down."

"You're so silly..." I laughed.

"I know...when I heard you coming back down I sprinted off the bench and hid by the bushes...but I guess you can figure out how that went..."

I watch as she starts plucking out flowers and leaves from in between her hair and clothes.

"Look," She added. "I'm really keen to see you tonight and I know it'll be six o'clock soon enough but I was wondering if you wanted to come over and baby sit? If that's not really your thing it's okay, really. I just thought that—"

"I'd love to." I smiled. "Your baby cousin, right?"

Riley nods with excitement, "Yeah. We can braid her hair and dress her up. Eat dino nuggies..."

"Sounds like a plan, Marshmallow."