The House

Chapter 3: Raleigh

I roll my neck, and for what seems to be the millionth time, I switch the position I'm sitting in. I hate sitting on the floor. I hate it more than techno music, I hate it more than people who whistle, I hate it more than falling down the stairs. It's uncomfortable, and it hurts my back like nothing else. So now, against my choice, I sit here, quickly pulling out numerous books from a cardboard UPS box, and laying them gently in a dresser drawer, where no one will look.

I don't like my friends knowing I like to read. Just like the way I don't tell them about my family life, or anything before my sophomore year of high school. Back then, I was pretty awkward. I was always the odd one out on my lacrosse team, and I was quiet. Since then, I became more social, and really fell into a group of friends. I don't know why but, reading is one of my best kept secrets. I always feel I have to act "cool" and "sporty" around Rent and Gabe. Which really isn't that hard, I like sports. It's just that if I mention liking to read, they will probably laugh at me. So I keep my books hidden, and I only read behind closed doors. The only person who really knows the most about me - which isn't even that much, but it's still the most, is Addie. She's known me for so long, it's impossible to keep everything from her. But I'm okay with her knowing. In a way it's a good thing, having a friend like that, so I have someone to talk to.
I run my index finger along the edge of the soft, worn corner pages on To Kill a Mockingbird, and gently set it atop a stack of books in the drawer.

Someone knocks loudly on my bedroom door, and I jump, panicking. I throw Dune into the drawer haphazardly, and slam it shut, ignoring the books that shifted around in there and the loud noise it made. I quickly tip the box over, so the bottoms facing up and all the books remaining collide on the floor. Then I pretend to look busy folding clothes from off my bed.

"Yeah?" I call out nonchalantly.

The door cracks open."What's going on in here Rye Bread? Are you okay?" Addie steps into my room, a huge smile growing on her face.

"Honestly, you would've thought I had grown out of that nickname a while ago," I jokingly complain.

Addie laughs lightly. "Guess not, huh?"

I don't really know what to say next, so I just stand up and wrap my arms around her small body. She hugs me back tightly, and whispers in my ear, "Three years has been too long, Raleigh"

I take a step back, looking at her, "I know," I agree, "You look so different. But then again, you look the same."

"The same can be said for you! You're tall!" She teases. She knows I used to be short when I was young. It's not something I like to remember.

"Hey," I say sternly, "I was a late bloomer." I laugh though, and she joins in.

"So," she says, glancing at the turned over box. "Hiding your books I see?"

I put my finger up to my lips. "Shh!" I hiss, "They don't know!"

Addie cocks her head to one side and gives me a funny look. "Why not?" she asks.

"Because, I don't want to tell them," I reply.

"Raleigh, you know people won't bother you if they know you read. Reading is a good thing to do!"

I cross my arms tightly across my chest. "Well, Gabe and Rent don't think so. Besides, they've never asked, so I won't tell."

Addie shakes her head. "Just like everything else about you. You're so secretive."

I don't like where this is going. "Sorry," I tell her. "Can we just drop it? Tell me how you've been, or something. Still searching for perfect coffee?"