bare | 18+

6. After Hours

All the lights are on, but there's still a lurking eeriness to Ciara's house. My feet pad down the cold marble flooring as I make my way to the kitchen, the warm and comforting scent of fudge brownies filling the air. Despite being in Ciara's house on many occasions, I never got used to finding my way around on my own, but she insisted on searching for a movie for us to watch while I got food. I slip on a pair of mittens hanging on the wall before opening the oven and taking the brownies out. When Ciara and I bake, things usually don't turn out well, but this is the one time when the result is good.

The rain is hard against the window above the sink. It's been raining all day for the past two days. Now and then, a loud rumble would sound followed by a flash of lightning, and every time, Ciara's fluffy black cat would run out of her room before immediately running back in. I couldn't blame her, the thunder was a bit chilling.

I can't help but stare at the void window as I cut up squares of brownies and put a few on a plate. It thunders again—this time louder than before and my skin riddles with goosebumps. I do not like being down here alone at all. I know no one is watching me, but then I get the feeling that someone is. I can't stop thinking about the window. My movements are rigid as I think of the worst possible thing that could happen because the blinds are not shut and it doesn't stop until I drop the knife in my hand and quickly close the curtains. I clean up the counter, turn off the lights, and go back to Ciara's bedroom with the plate in my hand.

When I open the door, Ciara is lying face-up on the loveseat sofa, eyes glued to her phone.

"Did they come out good?"

"Yeah, surprisingly," I answer, placing the plate on the coffee table.

"I keep hearing people talk about a dead animal which is weird because no one ever talks about other dead animals."

"What are you talking about," I laugh, lying down beside her. "This deer was just on the side of the road with these weird bite marks. It's not like a hit-and-run."

"So another animal killed it then?"

"That's what I'm thinking, it's just nature, but people are dragging it."

"Why, do people think it got murdered?"

"There are some sick people in this town, you never know," she sighs.

"I don't want to watch a horror movie anymore."

"Good. I wasn't looking for one while you were gone anyway." This bitch.

"Let's watch The OC then."

"Okay..." she trails off as she types in her phone.

I can't stop thinking about Roman ever since we spoke last week and I just can't help that giddy feeling I get as I do so. It's so pathetic. I would've told Ciara all about it over the phone, but we prefer to spill everything whenever we meet. It's just better to gossip face-to-face.

"Ciara."

"Hold on, I forgot where it is."

"No-no, it's about Roman."

"Don't tell me you were admiring him from afar again," her eyes roll and I kick her leg. "No it's not, and so what if I did?"

"I need something juicier."

"Roman and I talked last week," I let out, my face turning hot. 

"Stop," she exclaims. "Seriously?"

"We sat together during lunch, and he's actually a very nice person. He also said he wants to see me again."

"Ugh, that is so freaking cute," she groans. "I'm so proud of you, you kept your promise."