Freedom Series: Chasing Butterflies

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Anderson tried desperately to convince himself that he wasn't a stalker as he stood out front of a quaint light blue house surrounded by a bright white, freshly painted, picket fence. There was an old beat up car in the makeshift driveway that looked like it had seen many miles and a rusted metal mailbox jutting out of the dark green grass. He looked at the address in his hands, checking the numbers on the house to see a perfect match, this was the house. The house of a person he was afraid to admit, especially to himself, that he was excited to see, Nova.

She had texted him later yesterday to let him know that his jacket would be stain free and ready to pick up Sunday evening and to let her know where to drop it off at. However, he had a better idea and told her that he would drive to her house to pick it up. After much arguing and avoidance, from her side mainly, she conceded and sent him her address.

So here he was, standing on an uneven front timidly knocking on her front door. He counted five seconds until the door was swung swiftly. He was blown away by appearance yet again like he was every time he saw her. She was dressed in character-themed leggings that hugged her hips, a gray school sweatshirt and fuzzy black socks on. Her dark brown curls seemed to be set ablaze by the setting sun and her amber eyes took on an even warmer hue in the falling light.

"Hi," She breathed, seeming to completely relax in his presence.

"Hi," He breathed back, a bashful smile taking over his face as he looked down and kicked the porch with his shoe.

"Hi," She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her face as she smiled and looked at her hands then back up at him.

"Hi," He mumbled, taking his eyes off of his shoes and to her glowing amber's that always tried to trap him.

"Hi," An annoyed voice sounded from behind Nova. As if the spell was broken Nova's eyes widened and she turned to find her older brother behind her looking less than impressed. "This is the guy you've been talking about for days? I didn't know your type was the verbally challenged, honestly, I'm disappointed in you Nova." Nigel teased, although he hid his playful intentions behind a hard voice that instantly made something bristle in Anderson.

He stepped forward and held his hand out in greeting "Hello, I am Anderson Galloway and you must be Nigel, Nova's brother correct?" He questioned shaking Nigel's hand roughly.

"Correct," He agreed taking an instant contradictory liking and disliking to the young man standing in front of him and looking at his younger sister with googly eyes. "Your jacket is in the living room." He stepped back from the door frame and moved Nova with him who glared viciously at him. So what? They had discussed that the guy wasn't supposed to come into the house but oh well. He was successfully intrigued by the guy and wanted to know more.

Anderson picked up his suit that was in a plastic bag on the couch and turned to take in his surroundings. It was nothing like he had ever seen before, everything looked so real. There were so many colors and combinations that it almost made his head spin, there seemed to be an ordered chaos going throughout the whole house that made it homey and warm. Not one modern, pale or cold object was in the house, he was engulfed by earthen undertones, homemade projects, and odd knick-knacks that he wasn't quite sure if they belonged there or was because of failed cleaning.

"Sorry for the mess," Nova apologized, breezing past him and kind of standing in the middle of the room looking around for once looking at her house through a stranger's eyes.

"No, I like it," He smiled and she smiled back. Nigel rolled his eyes, too much smiling was going on for his taste.

"Oh, well we're having dinner if you want to stay for a while."

<8>

Anderson had never laughed so much in his life, he thought while he washed his hands in the bathroom, avoiding the mirror like always. Of course, the night hadn't started out like that, with the awkward conversation exchanges with Nova that were made 5x more awkward from Nigel's sarcastic comments and snide remarks. Although as the night wore on, and they ate fried hot dogs and french fries, the ice began to melt and soon the three of them were in hysterics, trading childhood memories, and stories - although it was mainly Nova and Nigel trying their hardest to embarrass the other sibling more. Even Neil had joined them, climbing into Anderson's lap and laughing with them as he if he understood what the adults were saying.

By the end of the night, Anderson had learned Nova's favorite color was gold, her first crush was Cookie Monster, her first kiss was sadly with Nigel - a wrestling match gone wrong - and her bra size was 34C. He very much appreciated the last fact he learned, and if Nigel wasn't Nova's brother he would have thanked him.

He walked out of the and collected his freshly clean suit jacket in his arms, saddened that he had to leave so soon. However, he did not want to have to deal with an angrier Lily since she was still heated from the failed party yesterday.

"I'm heading out guys." He said, looking at the kitchen clock. His eyes widened when he saw that it read 8 pm, he hadn't realized how late it actually was.

"Already?" Nova asked, coming to stand next to him and looking at the time.

"Yeah, but thank you for the dinner its been the most fun I've had in a while." He said, sincerely meaning it.

"No problem, we enjoyed your company, I'll walk you out." She said, following him out of the door.

They walked out of the door and down the porch steps in silence, walking close enough to each other that their hands brushed quite often, a problem that neither tried to remedy. Stopping at his car they both turned to look at each other.

"So this is me." He said, smiling at her softly. Even in the dark, she was still just as radiant.

"Yep." She said, holding his gaze and smiling. 

He turned to walk away but his keys fell out of his pocket, they both down for them at the same time surprising each other and Nova tried to pull away. She lost her balance in her awkward movements and in an attempt to save herself grabbed onto Anderson who had already reached out for and fell against his chest. Strong, warm hands grabbed her arms and instead of pushing her away and steadying her, like she thought he would do he placed his warm lips on hers, completely shocking her system. Before she could react or process what had happened the comforting warmth had left her and the sound of screeching tires was heard as his car drove off.

Leaving her confused, excited, angry and scared.

.

.

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Nigel is definitely my older brother.

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