Everything I Didn't Say

t w e n t y - s e v e n

TWENTY-SEVEN

~ September 3rd 2013 ~

WITH SWIFTNESS I didn't even know I possessed, I lifted my hand and rapped on the door in three, fluid movements. I paused momentarily; hand outstretched in front of my face and admired the plum nail varnish coating my fingers. Jenna had done them for me a couple of days ago and they'd lasted well.

Through the wood of the front door, I heard a male voice shouting "Mom! The door!" and a woman scolding something I couldn't understand: "down girl! No - not the armchair!"

There was a crash from inside the house, making me take a tentative step backwards. I checked my wristwatch fleetingly to see if it was the right time, the time they'd told me to come at. Yes, it was ten past six. I wasn't late and I wasn't early, I was impeccably on time.

Waiting for a couple more moments patiently, I was rewarded with the door being flung open by a breathless-looking Alicia. Her cheeks were flushed red and her hair was scraped back at the nape of her neck with strands escaping their hold.

"Isla!" she greeted with a smile, opening the door wider. "I'm so glad you could-"

Suddenly, faster than a bullet from a gun, a blur of yellow had streaked through Alicia's legs and leapt at me. I let out an "oomph!" of surprise as the wind left my chest and the shape knocked me to the ground.

"Lola! No!" Alicia exclaimed in horror.

I struggled to sit up while the dog on top of me showered me with kisses on my face and neck. "Whoa ... whose is the dog?" I questioned in confused, attempting to stand up but being shoved down again.

"Lola! Stop it!" Alicia reached down, helping me to my feet. When I was safely upright again and Alicia was brushing down my shirt and leggings, the Labrador puppy bounced around us, tail wagging mischievously.

"Is she your's?" I asked disbelievingly. Alicia didn't seem like the type to go around taking in strays - especially not with her expensive carpets.

"Unfortunately, yes" Alicia said apologetically, dragging the puppy into the hallway by its collar. I followed her in, shutting the door securely behind me.

"Well, this is new" I commented.

"Ha" she chuckled, letting the dog go. It immediately streaked off into the kitchen and a deafening crash ensued after her. Alicia squeezed her eyes shut grimly. "That would be my grandmother's vase ..."

"When did you get her?" I questioned.

"A couple of days ago I made the decision on a whim. I was passing a local dog shelter and just had a moment of desperation. She was the first dog who caught my attention with her big ears and all" Alicia shrugged as if to say it wasn't her fault. "I just thought ... it's going to be really lonely around the house after today, without Jared. And I didn't want to be all alone so the first thing that came to mind was a dog."

"I think she's adorable" I told her truthfully.

"Yes, well, she might be more appealing if she didn't keep peeing in the dining room and last night she barked for so long that I had to let her upstairs and sleep on my bed."

"That's just puppies though, isn't it?"

She nodded with a sigh. "I know, it'll take some getting used to but I'm already infatuated with her" she smiled to herself.

I took an opportunity to scan their house. I'd been here more than a few times during the summer but I was always surprised at all the new décor that was reinstated each week, due to Alicia's ever-changing mind. I glanced up at the new picture that hung on the wall, Jared in his blue graduation robe and hat with his arm around his mother, grinning widely at the camera. I'd taken the photo, with Xavier stood beside me, clapping along with the other students waiting outside of Mayday High. It was a sad day but it was redeemed by Alicia taking us all for dinner in celebration.