Lights in the Woods

Caprice

I smiled at the girl, shifting slightly where I was sitting. I needed to get up, that much was clear. "I sort of guessed so, yeah," I chuckled, and I eased out of the chair.

The girl sat down, and when she saw me looking around, she laughed. "You're supposed to be another row up," she informed me.

I let the relief I was feeling flood my features, and she smiled at me as I went around the row to my seat. "Thanks for that," I said as I sat down, this time in the correct place. I didn't mind having to move, I was just thankful to be in the right spot now.

"Don't sweat it," she answered with a flip of her hair. I never quite understood why some girls did that so obsessively.

I gave an easy smile there. Maybe I could get through this and even score a new friend. That would be something. "I'm Gavin," I introduced.

"I heard," she noted. Oh right. The classic introduction had gone down yesterday. Same old thing as always, the kind that comes straight out of everyone's nightmares. When she saw my expression, I think she knew I was thinking over the who scenario. "I'm Peyton," she interrupted. Well, my train of thought was put to better use in this conversation anyways.

I smiled, and I was about to answer when the teacher walked in. Well, the class shut up, and we got right to it. Our day, that is. I know it isn't very interesting from experience, and I can assure you that if I went into some superb amount of detail trying to explain that, you would be just as bored as I was sitting through the whole ordeal. Really, is there nothing that can be done to spice up days likes these? The routine seemed set in stone already. I would bring out interesting points in time, but there really weren't any. Let's summarize this way: I made a few friends, I did my work, I got out of there. That was much easier, wasn't it? Surely you don't want to hear more than that.

When the bell finally did ring, I felt myself spring out of my chair. I needed to pick up Leila after all. Someone had to, and as I said before, my mother had work. That made it my job, not that I minded too terribly much.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Shane asked from behind me. Right, Shane. I did mention that I made some friends, didn't I? Really, you shouldn't worry so much. I can handle myself.

I turned and smiled, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "I've got places to be, catch you later," I answered him.

"Alright, but don't forget what I said about Friday," he replied.

I laughed at that. "Right. Friday. Your place. Wouldn't miss it for the world," I assured. I told you I'd be fine. I was even invited to go somewhere, fancy that.

"Good, because I have a feeling a friend of mine is really going to want to meet you," he said. I only rolled my eyes, and I headed out of the classroom and into the crowded hallway. Everyone was trying to leave at the same time, of course, but surely you understand the discomfort I must've been feeling with the whole crowd. My old school was much smaller, but I suppose this wasn't terrible. It couldn't be. As soon as my feet touched the pavement, things were somewhat better. Fresh air filled my lungs and cleared my head in one single intake, and I walked over to the car to attend to business. I drove to the elementary to get Leila. She bounded toward the car and hopped in, telling me all about her day and how amazing everything was. Wow, it must be great to be that young, don't you think? We all were once, and I find it amazing that we come out to be who we are regardless.

Leila smiled and hopped out of the car when we got home. She took her bag and she started skipping toward the doorway. "Come on, slow poke!" she called, her hand resting on the knob.

I took my own and followed her, opening the door to let her inside. "After you, m'lady," I allowed, and she pranced into the house. It was just like any other night, just home from the daily grind that we all participated in daily. Today, our mother might not be home for a little while, which left it to Leila and I to entertain ourselves. Of course, that wouldn't be hard. We started by making a snack in the kitchen. Today's masterpiece was just junk food. I know mom wouldn't have liked it, but it made Leila happy, and I never claimed to be a proper parent. I'm just the brother. After snack, homework was on the list of things to do. She complained, but we both needed to knock a few things out of the way. Of course, it was probably much easier for her to fill out one of the, "all about me," sheets than it was for me to keep up with math, but such is life. Time leaves no one untouched. After puzzling through all of that, I put on a movie. She wanted to watch Peter Pan, and so that's what it would be. It didn't really make a difference to me at this point. It might've been a favorite at one point, but I was older now. Things had changed since then.

"Gavin, I'm bored," she complained as the end credits rolled down the screen in a blur of pointless waste. I can't remember the last time I spoke to anyone who watched them, but I suppose it meant a lot to the people in the film.

I chuckled, "Sorry to hear that, Leila." This never amused her, but our mother should be home at any time now, and that would surely content her for the foreseeable. Sure as the sun, she groaned, crossing her arms with a huff.

She clearly wasn't really in the mood for all this, and dealing with grumpy children had never been my forte. "Come on, you have to be able to think of something. You're supposed to be fun," she complained.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you," I answered. This really wasn't uncommon, but what else was there? There weren't many board games that two people could really make interesting, and she never liked checkers. Really, it seemed as though I was up the creek without a paddle.

Leila sighed, and paused for a minute to think. "Why don't we go explore outside?" she asked.

I frowned. I don't have a problem with the woods, I promise, but it was getting close to sunset, and we hadn't been out before. It would be a dreadful shame to be eaten by a bear or something out there. Of course, I can definitely defend myself, but a coyote, or some such creature, would probably make quick work of little Leila. Still, she looked up at me with those begging, pleading, puppy-dog eyes, and I suppose I gave in rather quickly. "I guess that's okay, but we need to be quick, got me?" I checked.

She nodded. "Mom's coming home soon then?" she asked. I nodded in reply, and she ran off to put on her shoes. I leaned against the door in the meantime, ready to go, looking out the window at the woods. What could be out there?