Sometimes You Need To Let Down Your Hair

Chapter 5

       Crash!!!!!!  My dreams vanished, and I sat up straight in my bed. I looked around my dark room, and nothing seemed out of place. After seeing no immediate threat to my safety and well being, I decided to go back to sleep. Boom!!!!  Well I guess not. I grumbled to myself and got out of my bed slowly. After feeling the cold floor, I grabbed my slippers out of the closet. it took a few minutes though because they had immediately been shoved in with everything else in an unorganized way when I had unpacked.

       After feeling the soft fabric around my feet I went ahead and shrugged on a night robe. If an intruder was in my house they did not need to see my form fitting tank top and night shorts. Before leaving my room I peeked out of my window. It was still dark outside. I shook m head as another crashing sound made me move with more urgency. I grabbed a flashlight and looked around for something I could use as a weapon. Of course, I had nothing other than heavy books that would even possibly hurt someone. 

       Then I had an idea. I ran to my closet and pulled a wire hanger from the bar hanging across the top, right under the shelf. Then I untwisted it. Now I had a long, sorta sturdy piece of metal. I looked around for a paperweight, and found one that looked like an owl. It was heavy and made out of rock, so I secured it to the piece of wire and made sure it would stay. Now I could hit someone with this. I almost laughed at myself. I must look really stupid. 

       Despite my appearance, I opened left my room and cautiously searched my house. After checking mother's room I saw that she still hadn't made it home. She should've been home by now, I thought to myself as I continued to search. Then all a sudden there was a crash behind me. I jumped and turned around. The beam of my flashlight shone on something small and dark. I shook my makeshift weapon at the thing, and it's glowing eyes looked up at me. I screamed and ran back to my room. Once inside I slammed the door shut and threw down the paper weight contraption. Then I heard a scratching noise at my door. Oh shoot!!!

       I needed a phone or something, so bad. What was that thing?! I looked out my window at Lucas's house. Maybe he could help. After all, who else was here! No phone, no parents home, and no clue about what to do. I made a quick decision. I opened the door, barreled through the animal, and shut the door behind me all in one swift motion. I ran downstairs and out the backdoor. The animal didn't follow me, and I was glad. But there was no way I was going back in there alone!

       I contemplated just sitting out here all night when I realized I was in my night clothes. Then I disregarded the idea. I could ask for Lucas's help. I tried to climb the fence and failed, so I dragged over a lawn chair and did it that way. Once in his backyard, I felt really awkward. What would his parents say if they found me out here? I prayed that his room had a window facing the backyard. I picked up a rock and surveyed the back of the house. One room had it's lights on still, and I saw a dark figure move behind the curtains. 

       Taking a big breath, and a big risk, I threw the rock at the window. The shadow of the person stopped moving and peered out of the curtains. It was Lucas! I waved shyly, and he looked really confused. He gave me a cautious wave back and rubbed his eyes. After a few minutes, Lucas came outside. His hair was a disheveled mess, but it looked cute. I felt my cheeks redden. He wore a worn out star wars t-shirt, and had a pair of night pants on. 

       "Is everything ok, or do you have a habit of showing up to guy's houses at night in just your pajamas?" he asked. 

       "No everything is not ok. There is something in my house!" I whispered fervently. He raised his eyebrows, so I explained what I had saw. To my dismay he chuckled, and said "Well I guess there is probably a raccoon in your house."

      "What do I do about a bloodthirsty raccoon?!" I asked. He chuckled again and told me that he'd help me run it off if it would make me feel better. I thanked him, and then we walked over to the fence. "Wait, don't you need to tell your parents?" 

       "No, it's probably fine. By the way, how did you manage to climb this fence?" I gave him an offended look.

       "What, you don't think I can climb a fence?" I crossed my arms and gave him a good glare.

       He shook his head and replied, "Well alright, then go ahead and climb it. If you need help just ask." I walked over to the fence and silently prayed that I had suddenly had gotten the ability to climb the fence. I hadn't. After a few futile attempts I looked at Lucas. He hid his laughter behind a grin, but I could tell he found this amusing. 

       "Fine. Could you please help me?" He nodded, and helped give me a boost over the fence. A boost right over the fence, and to the other side. Where I proceeded to fall face first into the ground. Before he could see I jumped up and wiped myself off . Then I looked down at my feet and realized I still had the stupid slippers on. Great way to embarrass yourself in front of your new cute friend, I said to myself.

       In no time he was on my side of the fence and asked me where I had seen it last. I told him it was on the second floor by my room the last time that I saw it. He nodded then asked for my flashlight. Then I realized I had left it turned on and abandoned by the fence before I had climbed over to his side. I picked it up and gave it to him before asking what we were going to do. 

       He told me to grab a broom and a rake, so I pulled him into the mudroom and grabbed them. He took the broom and brandished it like a sword. I couldn't help but laugh. He gave me an incredulous look, and asked why I thought his sword was funny. I just shook my head and smiled mischievously. 

       We went upstairs to the second floor and listened for the raccoon. "Should I turn the light on," I whispered softly. Lucas shrugged his shoulders in a noncommittal way, so I decided to go ahead and do it. Just as I walked over to where the switch was located and was about to flip it on, a scary hissing noise made me stop. I looked at Lucas with wide eyes. 

       Then all a sudden the raccoon was there. Lucas waved the light and broom at the raccoon, and after watching him for a second I joined in. The raccoon freaked out and ran away from us, so we used this to our advantage. We ended up coaxing it out of the house by scaring it. When it went out the kitchen door, it stopped and hissed at us. Lucas took a step forward and waved his broom at the creature, and then it disappeared over the back fence.

       We put the broom and rake up, and I grabbed back my flashlight. "Thank you for helping me get rid of the raccoon," I said shyly. 

       A dazzling smile lit up his face, and I decided to walk back out into the yard, after all the mudroom was a little cramped. In the backyard I made a quick decision and gave him a small hug. Then I waved goodbye. He waved back then climbed over the fence. I walked back inside and made my way up the stairs. Once I was in front of the door that led to my room, I heard mother come through the door. I threw open my bedroom door, stepped through and closed it behind me. Then I ran as quietly to my room where I jumped under my covers and acted like I was asleep.

        I heard mother make her way up the stairs to the second floor. Instead of going to her room she stopped in front of mine. I heard the door creak open and her heavy footsteps come up the stairs. My heart sped up, and I kept my eyes shut. I tried to relax, so it looked like I was sleeping. But my body was tense. Mother came into my room, and I felt her gaze land on me. She walked over to my bed, and I heard her stumble a few times. Then she whispered, "Goodnight." Her hot breath smelled like alcohol.

       As soon as my drunken mother stumbled out of my room and down my stairs, I shuddered. Mother didn't get drunk! Maybe that was why she was so late though. My heart didn't stop being loud, and I waited a few minutes before opening my eyes. My room was dark, and I was alone. I took a deep breath and let my mind wander. Then my thoughts turned to chasing away the raccoon with Lucas. I smiled to myself, and then I felt my cheeks redden as I remembered that hug. 

       I realized how close we had been, and how thin my night clothes were. I stared up at the ceiling and face-palmed myself. I was so stupid sometimes. I laughed to myself and thanked God that I had kept my sports bra on under my thin tank top.