Finding My California

The Fun in Life is the Mystery

Chapter 2

After leaving school I drove to the grocery store to buy flowers, one for my room and a bouquet for our new neighbors. Last week I noticed a moving truck at the house next door, but I was waiting for my mom to be home so we can meet them together. I also picked up ingredients to make my rainbow brownies, and a welcome card. I was soon home and went to start on my brownies. I wash my hands then start cracking eggs, and get mixing. As soon as I put the mix in the oven and start the timer, I race upstairs to take a shower. My phone buzzed to let me know I have five minutes left, so I finished shaving and rinsed out my hair. I hopped out of the shower right as my phone timer went off, and then wrapped my body and hair in a robe and towel. I went downstairs to check on the brownies, and noticed they had about eight more minutes. I went to the downstairs bathroom to quickly blow dry my hair to shake out the extra water, letting my natural waves flow down my back. When I finished moisturizing my face and body the kitchen timer finally went off. I went to pull them out, almost forgetting a mitt, and noticed the heavenly smell wafting from them. It was the same smell as always, but I don't bake these very often so its sight and smell is slightly more delicious. I took them out to let them cool on a drying rack, and raced upstairs to finish getting ready. When I walked into my room I went to the balcony to check the temperature outside. It had dropped to a cool seventy-two degrease according to the outdoor thermostat, so I figured I would find a light jumper. I quickly pulled out my cream light knit sweater, pleather circle skirt, blue bubble flower necklace, stud earrings, and blue suede pumps. As soon as I got dressed and stuck my phone in my pocket, I went downstairs to cut the brownies, sprinkle a bit of caramel flakes on them, and then stick them into a pastry box. I wrapped a little bow around the box, grabbed my keys, and left with all my other welcoming gifts. I was next door within one minute of leaving my front door. When I knocked the first thing I heard was someone yelling that they were coming. A short older woman opened the door with a bright and welcoming smile. She looked to be about 5'4, with shoulder length blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a slightly tan complexion. "Hello sweetie, what are you doing here?" said the mystery lady. She spoke like she had known me for a long time.

"Hello maim, I just wanted to bring you these things to welcome you to the neighborhood. I live next door so let me or my mom know if you anything," I explained.

"Well thank you sweetie. Would you like to come inside for some milk to go with these chocolate goodies?" she questioned. This lady was so sweet and mother like, its like we grew up together or she was an aunt of mine. I just shrugged it off because I figured it was her nurturing personality.

"Um... yeah, sure that sounds nice. Oh and by the way my name is Carson, Carson De Luca," I replied. She nodded along, and led me inside. Once we reached the kitchen island she told me to take a seat in the tall chairs, and began un-wrapping the pastry box to see what she would need to prepare a dish and drink for us. In the background of somewhere else in the house I could hear one of my favorite songs playing. Once she got the plates down and was about to say something when her land line rang,

"Oh dear I'm sorry I have to take this, but you're welcome to explore the house. I turned around, deciding to explore the house, and I followed where I thought the music that was playing earlier. I went upstairs when I noticed small shuffling noises down the hall. Their house was built just like mine except a little smaller, so finding the bedrooms were easy. As I neared the end of the hall, I started hearing a male voice humming and the tapping of wood. The door was cracked open so I slowly pushed it open more to reveal a guy with chestnut hair with his back to me. Soon the humming became higher pitched and I recognized the song as Hit Me with Your Best Shot, and I stood in the door frame trying to stifle my giggles. As soon as one slipped out I cleared my throat and mystery man froze. "No please continue, it sounded like it was about to get really good," I joked to him, but his back was still to me. "If I am correct that was Hit Me with Your Best Shot, but don't worry I don't judge." I was ready to topple over in laughter but when he spoke I did not expect to him say what he did.