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Chapter Seven

My head resting against the wall, I scroll down to check for more results.

'Ugh this door is literally so stubborn.'

Oh my, look who's talking.

'Nessa? Can you stop using your phone for a minute? It's irritating to see young people sticking their heads into useless technology devices.'

'Said the jerk who spends 24 hours on her Android.'

Flame flips her hair. 'That's ANDROID. This is IPHONE.'

'I can't see the difference.'

'Yeah, because you're an idiot.'

I smile. 'Why, thank you.'

'Anytime, anytime.'

I sigh loudly. 'Flame it's almost 7:00.'

'Yes, I checked my watch a few minutes ago.'

'Okay where's that idiot who told you about this door?'

She doesn't look back. 'Uh......he lives southwest on this street. Northwest on my side.'

'I don't speak your language.'

'Ugh. He lives right next door.'

I stroke my chin. 'Wait a sec. That's Mr. Lollipop.'

'MR. LOLLRUM, NESSA.'

'Whatever. He's like a 100 years old.'

'Old people are old delights.'

My eyes go wide. 'YOU'VE BEEN SEEING HIM?'

'Why, thank you for your late concern. And yes, I have been seeing the old pal.'

'Since when?'

'Three months ago.'

I nod my head. 'Oh yeah, of course. Three months ago you weren't even in town.'

'I was in town.'

'Oh yeah?'

'Well, I lied to you. It was my brother who went out not me.'

I narrow my eyes. 'Really.'

She smiles. 'Really.'

I slide down again.

I think I will have to go to a psychiatrist. You know, just to check if I don't have schizophrenia.

'What's that?'

'Huh?'

I look up to see Flame staring directly at the door.

'What's what?'

'THAT.' She points at black, fluffy stuff covering at the end of the door.

I bend and squint my eyes. 'It may be fungi. Or waste of some animal.'

'An animal would come to poop here of all places?'

'You never know. Grandpa's cat released poop on the neighbor's face.'

She scrunches her face in disgust.

'Yep. Had an opportunity to smell the stuff. Quite charming, to be honest.

'Shut up Nessa.'

We both took a good while to stare.

BUZZ!

'Oh, shucks. I had my tuition today.'

Flame worriedly looks at her phone.

I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. 'No sweat. We'll come back another time.'

That's a BIG if.

'Yeah, maybe.'

We both turn around.

My walk breaks into a slow run and I throw myself over the fence.

I look at Flame, hands in her pockets and hair shining.

......what is that?

'Oh my god.'

Flame raises an eyebrow. 'What is it?'

I point behind her. She follows my finger and a soft gasp escapes her mouth.

The door is open.

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