The Sixteenth Summer

Chapter 8

I got home and ran into the house, running to my room and slamming the door behind myself. I put my forehead on the door, and tried to breathe.

I composed myself within a few moments, and turned to go sit on my bed.

I screamed.

"What are you doing here!?" I screamed.

A pair of blue eyes and a head of dark hair stared me down, and Elijah didn't look sarcastic and smiley like he usually did. He looked serious. Concerned even.

"MOM!" I screamed.

"What?" She was at my door within seconds.

I pointed at the light skinned boy sitting cross legged on my bed.

She laughed.

"Oh Honey, that's just Elijah! He moved in down the street a few week's ago. He was just looking around. He's a nice boy!"

I rolled my eyes.

　

"I've already the pleasure of your daughter's aquiantince Mrs. Kenne." He said, flashing my mother a movie star smile.

She laughed and went back to cooking.

Elijah got up, crossed my room in four strides, and closed the door.

Whoa. It just got hardcore. I went into panic mode.

He looked at me, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Calm down. I came because I wanted to talk to you."

"We couldn't have talked outside?"

"Some one could have heard us."

"Who? Out there? There's 65 acres of grass and trees!"

He blinked.

I sighed, sitting down on the bed. He came and sat beside me.

"I know you went into that house today."

"I know you know. I tripped over you on my way out."

He smiled a little.

"Yes. You did. Look, It'd be a good idea to stay out of that house if you can." He said this, looking right at my eyes, stony calm washed overhis face. Something burned in the back of his eyes. Worry.

"What? Why?" I said, standing up, "Did you seriously come over to my house so you could boss me around about some meaningless old crusty house?"

"Look, just trust me, it's a really bad idea to go in there it's dangerous-"

"What, I step on a rusty nail or something? Give me a break! I'll get a tetnus shot."

He just looked at me. Or really, almost through me.

"Look, I just didn't want you to get hurt-"

"No you look. I've lived here a lot longer than you have, and I've always wanted to go into that forest. And if I do go into that house, or I do get myself hurt, well all that's really none of your damn bussiness, is it?"

He just looked at me, nearly emotionless. There was a hint of pain, or maybe anger in his eyes.

He just shrugged and then got up and left.

He wasn't gone long before I heard the voice again, like it was carried on the wind.

"Except it is. It is my bussiness."

A shiver ran up my spine, and I decided to go to bed without dinner that night.