FRIENDS

ANEIKA

I looked up to the building. It looked tall and eerie from the outside. It had overgrown grass spread across the front yard, there was even a huge vine growing up the side of the towering gray stoned building. The house looked old and beaten down. I pulled my hoodie tighter to my body. This weather was ruthless tonight.
I walked over to the sign that was now laid across the messy grass, fallen from years of wind and rain. I dusted of the vines that covered the words.

Welcome to Ms. Jones's IFTG

This was it. I took out my phone seeing a text from Khari asking about school. I had to skip school to be here, this was more important, besides what my mother doesnt know wont hurt her. I typed a quick reply and shoved it back into my purse. I walked up the worn down wooden steps. They didn't feel stable as I rang the doorbell which I could hear it echo throughout the building. The step collapsed from underneath my foot, making my boot puncture the moist ground under the stair.
I pulled my leg out of the hole; great my good boots ruined. I was so busy trying to get my foot from the hole I hadn't noticed that someone answered the door. It was a young girl in blue scrubs, but the thing that made her stand out was her short bright purple hair. She smacked on a huge wad of gum as she spoke. "Oh don't worry about that, it was old anyway." Her voice was so monotoned. She led me inside the building which from the inside looked more like a home. This was a home. Cozy brown furniture filled up the huge first floor while abstract rugs laid on the old wooden floors, and lit candles scattered the tables. It looked like a modern mansion. And a huge staircase sat in the corner of the room. I started to follow her through the home. "So who are you again?" I asked.

"I never told you my name." She said popping her gum which echoed through the house.

"Oh well then, who are you?" I said a little annoyed with her nonchalantness.

"My names Vicky, I'm Ms. J's caretaker. She told me she was expecting someone." She said stopping at a door and knocked. I noticed that she was in her socks. She certainly was enjoying the benefits of the job. And why did she even need a caretaker? She didn't seem to be that old.

"What?" A small voice from inside answered.

"Your guest is here to see you Ms. J." She blew a big blue bubble and started smacking again. At this point I wanted to smack her.

"Oh come in, come." Jones answered.
Vicky pushed open the door revealing a cozy bedroom. The bed was enormous taking almost a third of the room. Ms. Jones just looking like a spec upon it. A crackling fire sat off to the side, which seemed to be the only source of light currently in the room filled with more brown Victorian styled furniture. Jones cleared her throat and sat up, Vicky hustling over to assist her but in return getting an evil eye. "I can do it myself." She huffed.

She stood up and slid on a pair of slippers that matched her gown. "Now Vicky if you'll excuse us." She shooed Vicky out of the room, closing the door behind her with one finally pop of the gum.

"I wish she'd stop that. One of these days I'm going to take a pin and pop that airhead." She noticed me still standing by the doorway. "Oh come in and stay a while I don't bite... Good people." She chuckled and sat at one of the chairs by the fire place. She patted the cushion of the arm chair beside her. I set my purse down and took a seat.

"Now tell me your name again dear, I've met too many young girls in my lifetime."

I cleared my throat. "I'm Aneika, I called you to see what you could tell me on Cece or... Talia."

"Ahh yes Talia and Cece." She seemed to be lost in thought.

"And? Their two different people?"