After the bell rang Aesop and i walked back to our home room classes. I spent all day feeling like I was walking on air. Nothing could keep the smile of my face. I found very hard to pay attention in class and often caught myself day dreaming. The last bell rang and i made my way to my locker. I let a small giggle escape my lips as I saw Aesop waiting patiently near my locker. seeing him from a far perspective brought my eyes to his clothing. It was it's usual all black attire with strange accessories. I really wished he would be a bit more colorful but the look suited his pale skin.
"Hey", he blushed a bit then looked at the floor.
"hi", I kept my gaze unwavering. He took my hand without saying anything and we began walking out the front door. I pulled in closer to him so that our forearms were pressed together. He lead me in a strangely comfortable silence. When we stopped in front of my house he looked up at the old building with a confused look o his face.
"Th-this is w-w-where you live"? He turned to me with now a concerned look.
"Yeah... is uh something wrong"? I walked up to the door and inserted my key casually.
"Ummm?? Th-this house has been ab-abandoned for almost s-s-seventeen years. You c-can't possibly live h-here. It was c-c-condemned for some horrific events that t-took place a long t-time ago". Despite his light complexion, he grew even paler.
"Look I'm sure there must be a mistak- look would you like to come in and have a look around. I promise its clean and livable". He hesitated at first then timidly walked up the creaking steps to my door. I walked straight in and set my bag down on the counter. Aesop lingered in the door way peeking inside as if the roof were collapsing. He took a step inside and let out a big gust of air. He'd been holding his breath. I laughed and rolled my eyes. I took his hand and led him indoors. I gave him the grand tour. Starting in the living room i realized how shabby all of the random carpets scattered about to conceal the beat up wood floor underneath. He walked over to our boxy old tv set.
"W-wow this thing i-is so old"!
"I know I've seen the new ones and boy do I wish we had that kind of money..." My voiced trailed off. After a brief awkward silence, I cleared my throat and walked into the kitchen.
"This is our kitchen". He nodded his head as he looked around. Everything was old stone with a really old stone oven next to a modern one Mother bought two years ago. The counter was a large metal table drilled into the cement floor. It seemed a bit eerie now that I'd taken time to look at it.
"Let's go see my room". He nodded still looking around the kitchen.
"Y-yeah I-i'd like that". he was creeped out. I stifled a giggle and started up the stairs. We came to the end of the hall and stood below the hatch to my room. He looked around confused.
"W-w-where's your r-room"?
"Look up".
"oh OH! w-ait. Y-you l-live in the at-attic"? He looked concerned.
"it's a lot better that you think". I smiled and pulled down on the latch. The folding ladder slowly touched the floor and i climbed up. I immediately opened the shades and light poured in. My bed was a King mattress propped up on a trunk and a window seat with no window. it had deep red silk sheets and just like the living room, there were carpets everywhere and colorful tapestries covering every inch of the wall. The most radiant part was my collection of glass figurines that sat on a large round table underneath a part of the sky light. The sun light came through and cast rainbows and beautiful patterns of light on the wall.
"wow...", he whispered. I sat down on the floor and patted the spot next to me. he sat down and put an arm around me.
"This is my favorite part of every day", I sighed and breathed in his scent. He smelled like fresh rain and mountain air. I savored the moment closing my eyes and just taking a moment to relax until i heard a rumbling. My head snapped up just as the lights began flickering.
"W-whats going on"? I flashed up into a standing position.
"You need to go NOW"! he looked at me with terrified eyes but quickly made his way to the hatch . We ran past Mother's room and down the stairs. I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the kitchen to the back door. I opened it and shoved him out.
"I'll explain later! Umm bye". I slammed the door shut and ran back to the front door waiting trying not to look guilty. Soon Mother entered with a lady in a hotel maid outfit. I quickly helped her with the groceries and then sat staring off into space for a moment.
"Quiet today are we"? Mother gave me a translucent smile.
"sorry... I'm just a bit tired".
"Is that why you didn't punch in when you came home? Or were you somewhere you shouldn't have been"?, the sick fake smile still plastered to her face meant she already knew.
Wait Oh my goodness! i forgot to punch in! Oh what an idiot I am. I tried to stay calm.
"Oh sorry Mother. I've been really distracted fromthat trig test coming up and when i came home i went and took a nap and completely forgot". I panicked inside. why was lying !?
"don't lie to me Absynthe", her smile was now gone. My heart racing I swallowed hard forced a smile.
"I'm not lying. I think I'm going to lay down. I'm not feeling well". I turned towards the door.
"I don't want you seeing him anymore Absynthe". I paused for a moment pondering whether i should confess or ask who she was talking about like i was innocent. After the brief moment passed I continued walking in silence tears developing in my eyes.
