Despite the similarities of the house on the outside, the inside was completely different. Brown cardboard boxes were piled along the hallway, leading into the spacious lounge room which was attached to a small kitchen and dining. There was also a staircase leading to the upstairs floor.
"So why'd you decide to move here?" I asked Sophie as we walked toward another large stack of cardboard boxes.She whipped her head around, her red hair flying behind, surprising me.
"I didn't decide to move to this dump," she replied harshly,"Now how about less talking and more moving these boxes?"Her green eyes boring into mine, pupils hiding millions of unsaid secrets.
"Ahh okay then." Deciding to just drop it and without another word said we got to work.
***
By the time lunch arrived we had brought in and set up all their main pieces of furniture. Downstairs was finished and all was left were their own bedroom supplies, clothing and things. Sophie sat down on their worn-leather couch patting the spot beside her, signalling me to sit down beside her. I hesitantly sat down before turning to look at her.
She was staring at the wall opposite us, clearly her mind was off somewhere else.I sat awkwardly beside her resisting the urge to run my fingers through her croppy red hair. She was really attractive and it felt weird to admit this to myself. I wasn't one who felt like this about girls I just met.
Something being chucked at me breaks me out of my thoughts. I looked down and on my lap was an Xbox controller. I hadn't even noticed that Sophie had gotten up and was now standing opposite me by the TV.
"Up for a challenge, dweeb? I'm told I'm pretty good at COD". She says turning on the console and then picking up a controller for herself. It was if a button had clicked in my head and I smirked at her.
"You're on."
***
I didn't usually play many video games but I had versed Carl on Call of Duty a couple of times. But wow, I definitely didn't see this coming. When she said she was good, I didn't exactly plan on her being that good. Sophie was beating me and she was ruthless. We were playing one on one, Nuke Town, and the score was 15-27.
Battle strategy was definitely not working for me this time. Both of us were sitting on the couch furiously pressing buttons with our sweaty hands, each determined to win. Although the atmosphere was competitive and a little tense, it had been the most fun I had had in a while.
Finally I laughed and threw my hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay! You win YOU WIN!" The game had to stop otherwise I was going to embarrass myself further and since we were neighbours now, I would rather not have have this thrown in my face continuously. The score was now 28-49.
"YES! I WON, I WON, I WON!!!!" Sophie jumps up off the couch and starts to run around shouting and cheering until she slips on the carpet, landing on her butt. I was laughing hard now, I get up and give her the controller.
"Halo, a classic, lets go." Now Halo was a game I could play. Let's see who will be cheering now, besides the falling over. She looks up at me, obviously intrigued by this challenge.
"Game on."
***
Hours passed by incredibly quickly and before I knew it, it was late afternoon. The day went surprisingly well, especially due to the awkward introductions. I was at the door just about to leave, Sophie had walked me out.
She looked at me and smiled, "Hey thanks for the help with the unpacking. You're actually okay to hang out with."
"You're only saying that cause you beat my ass at CoD. We should do this again sometime." I laughed.
Her smile faltered, "Maybe."
And with that she turned and went back inside with a quick goodbye. I was left at her doorstep, a wooden door in my face, the chilly air surrounding me and a smile on my face.
I whispered to myself, "What are you doing to me...?"
