The Guy Down The Block

~Chapter 2~

But Oleander was so calm earlier? Does he not know yet? The news continued: "The women was reported missing on a monday earlier this week. The police expects that this murder might be related to the two murders earlier this year. They think this, because all three victims have similar characteristics such as green eyes and dark blonde hair. Further investigation about this topic will proceed. Next up-" Azalea could do nothing but stare at the television screen and it's bright flashing lights. She couldn't believe it, the time table was not lining up. But she was seen last monday, she was with Oleander that day. Her thoughts kept spiraling and spiraling, he was a nice guy, she didn't even believe in the theories that she herself came up with.

That night she couldn't sleep, it must have been just all a coincidence, right? Still, she was intrigued, a serial killer in her hometown. Azalea ended up spending the entire night doing more research about the killings. Only when the clock hit five thirty she stopped, signed and went to bed. That night she dreamt about what to do around Oleander and what to ask him when they will see eachother again. If he doesn't have anything to do with this, which has a very high chance of being true, he must be heartbroken. Do we still meet up this weekend to show him around town? Is that inappropriate? I don't have his number so I can't ask him if he is okay.

The next day Azalea kept thinking about what she saw, even though she tried to distract herself. Her mom was coming home later this day so Azalea wanted to have the house proper and neat and started to clean everything. Doing stuff and making yourself busy can be an effective way of avoiding an issue, the only problem is that you never solve it so it will come in later to bite you.
When her mom came home, the house was looking extremely neat, if you told someone that there would lay even a speck of dust they wouldn't have believed you.

"Hi Azalea", the mom said. "Oh, hi. How was work?", "It was fine, I am just tired.". "Oh... The food is ready by the way, If you're hungry we can maybe eat together?" Azalea said with a small smile on her face. "Sure" her mom answered as she sat down.

If you would have seen her mom you would have directly noticed the dark circles and tired eyes. Azalea didn't know the details of her job, but she knew that the hours where long and draining, so she had peace with her mom being a bit distant sometimes. But still... Sometimes she just wished that they where a little closer, she wished that she too would get a question about her day. They both proceeded to eat their food in silence. After that Azalea went upstairs and put on some music while getting ready for bed. She will be meeting Oleander again tomorrow. Even though she was worried about him she still felt a touch of excitement about meeting him again. He was always nice and considerate, a warm person. I really do hope that he is okay...

Azalea's alarm rang followed by a tired groan, it was 10 in the morning. Not that this was particularly early in the morning, but she had a habit of sleeping in till early in the afternoon, sometimes even later. She looked through her big wooden closet to find an outfit to put on, she didn't want to look stupid so this took quite a while. What do you wear to hang out with a guy you only know for a week and who just lost his girlfriend? Is a dress to much? Is just a hoodie not enough? These thoughts went on for a while until Azalea finally choose her outfit. It was a black skirt with a white petty coat underneath and a big warm sweater on top. She looked at the time and noticed that it was almost 11 and quickly combed her hair, brushed her teeth, drank some water and grabbed the doorknop to open de door.
As she opened it, still in a hurry, she accidentally bumped into a figure in a big, brown, cozy coat. Azalea looked up and saw Oleander grinning: ''Well hello to you to, excited to see me?''. She immediately stepped back and looked at her shoes trying to hide her red face, can I make it more embarrassing?! "Hi'' Azalea said inspecting the floor extremely thoroughly. ''No need to get all shy, you are the one who bumped into me.'' Oleander said chuckling, ''Anyway, let's go.''.

They both walked out of the house while Oleander kept making a few teasing remarks. He seems completely fine, I should probably not bring it up. I don't know him well enough to talk about topics like this and he is probably trying to just forget the whole thing. ''Let's start at the park, since that is only a five minute walk from here.'' Azalea said, trying to distract herself. ''You lead the way madam'' Oleander answered smiling.

They both walked through the park, drank a milkshake at a cafe, walked through the mall and lunched somewhere. ''I am so full right now, oh my god.'' Azalea said as she tried to finish the last of her curly fries. ''You can give them to me if you don't want them anymore~'' Oleander said teasingly, while trying to steal one of her plate. His attack got quickly countered by slapping away his hand, ''I am not THAT full, there is always more room for curly fries'' Azalea said putting another on in her mouth. Oleander laughed, ''You got a bit of-'', he said pointing to his cheek. ''Hm?'' Azalea said. ''Wait, let me just-'' Oleander said while standing up from his chair and reaching over the table. He moved his tumb over her cheeck that was covered in ketchup. Just for a moment Azalea thought that her heart was going to explode, she felt her face slowly getting warmer, as if she was standing too close to a campfire on a cold night. The moment that probably only lasted a few seconds felt like they lasted for forever and way to short at the same time. ''Uh-um'' She coughed, trying to get herself out of this weird fantasy. He JUST lost his girlfriend, you don't even know him for that long?! What is wrong with you?! "Are you okay? You look a bit red?'' Oleander said with concern, ''We can go back if you are not feeling well.'' he continued as he went in to touch her forehead to feel if her temperatures where up. Azalea's brain just stopped working at this point, ''N-no, I feel perfect, amazing even.'', she said smiling, not even trying to think anymore. ''Are you sure?'', ''Ah yes, definitely.''. Oleander chuckled, ''Well if you say so, but if you even start feeling the tinyest bit of nausea or anything else promise to tell me okay?''.
They both finished their food and continued the rest of their day. As it was starting to get dark outside they walked trough the pretty lights at the market place. At the corner of the street they saw a group of three girls getting out of a photobooth all laughing. I want to do that... Azalea thought watching them have fun, she never really had the chance to do something like that. ''Hey, let's take a picture!'' Oleander said after seeing the look on Azalea's face. He grabbed her arm and they both ran toward the booth. once inside it actually was a much smaller space then Azalea thought it would be, how did the three girls from before even fit in here? ''Common, take a seat, I didn't just run here to take pictures all by myself.'' Oleander said playfully laughing, his hair looking extremely messy from running. Azalea started to fix his hair even before she could think about it. Oleander looked her directly in her eyes and smiled, and there went my hearth again, it has completely died now. Exactly at that moment the camera flashed. ''Oh, get in here.'', Oleander said pulling her in closer and smiling to the camera. After the pictures where finished we both decided to get a strip. It was getting pretty late so we went home by bus, Azalea couldn't stop staring at the picture, even though she really didn't look that good in it.

''We should do this again sometime, I had a lot of fun.'' Oleander said smiling as they stood in front of Azalea's house. ''Yeah, that would be fun.'', she said back while smiling from ear to ear. "Can I maybe get your number? Then it will be easier to decide when and where? No pressure if you don't want to give it to me though." Oleander asked just before walking off. "Oh yeah, no, of course" Azalea said smiling while taking the phone Oleander was holding and putting her in his contacts. Only when Oleander was fully out of sight she was able to turn around and open her front door. She entered the dark house, it's cold, she thought as she turned up the heathing. Her phone vibrated, "Hiii, this is my number:)" Azalea sofly smiled as she put him in her contacts: Oleander:).

Eat, sleep, drink water and take that medication pookie, do it.