There's a famous uninhabited mansion in Lark Creek, Virginia where an accident occurred seven years ago. Mysteries surround it, and people say that you'll hear strange noises coming from the inside of the mansion. No one in Lark Creek has the courag...
"She can teach a melody to the birds, And problem solving without a word She can tell the richest man how to need, Oh right after telling him about me." —Perfect by Jon McLaughlin
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As we were leaving the church, Leslie faced me. She was wearing a strapless white dress and a blue denim jacket that she'd customized with sequins and other girly stuff, and white flats. I also saw something glittering on her lips: lip gloss. Leslie looked sexy this way. Then again, she looks sexy and charming in whatever she wears.
I frowned inwardly. Looks like she's ready for her date.
"You sure you don't wanna come with me, Jess?" she asked for the umpteenth time. "I'm sure Nigel won't mind."
Yeah, right. I shook my head. "It's okay, Les. I still have to water the plants in our greenhouse, anyway." And I don't want to disturb you two, I added in my mind.
Leslie sighed, defeated, though she was giving me a look that I couldn't define. "Well, if you're sure, then..."
"Leslie, dear, you're not coming home with us?" Mom asked when she overheard our conversation.
She nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Aarons. I still have to tutor my classmate in geometry at the pizza house. I hope you don't mind."
"Do your parents already know 'bout this?" Dad asked as he started the engine of the truck.
"Yes, Mr. Aarons," Leslie kindly replied.
"Well, we don't mind, if that's the case." Mom smiled. "As long as you take care, all right?"
Leslie returned Mom's smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Aarons. Good-bye, Mr. Aarons, Joyce Ann, May Belle."
Dad nodded, and my two little sisters hugged Leslie. The heck? They were making it look like she'd be going on a vacation far, far away for many months.
She hugged them back. "Hey, I'll bring home a box of pizza for you all. The cheese special, family size."
The two cheered and happily climbed onto the back of the truck.
"You don't have to, Les," I said.
She waved a dismissive hand. "I don't mind, Jess. 'Sides, it'll be my treat."
I put my hands up in surrender. "Fine. You win. Well, you better go now, or you'll be late for your tutoring session."
She was about to say something, but suddenly decided against it. "Yeah. See you later, Jess," she said eventually.
I smiled a little and waved good-bye as she walked away. I wondered what she'd been supposed to say in the first place. Then I headed for the truck and noticed Dad was looking at me with raised eyebrows.
