The Lockup

Chapter Three - 3647 AE

I pulled ahead of Matt as we raced back to his house. I don't doubt that he's quick, but believe me. My feet are much lighter and speedier than his. In the end, of course, I managed to get to his front door first. I waited for him as he jogged up onto the porch beside me.

If it were a Shard neighborhood, then I would have just went inside. It was a Cracked neighborhood though, meaning that a Shard such as myself would have to be escorted into a home of anyone with a higher economical - and social - ranking.

"Come on. Open the door." I told him, slightly pushing him in the direction of the door. He stood next to me grinning, knowing that I wasn't allowed inside. Oh, how he drove me crazy. Not crazy for him, of course. The make-you-want-to-smash-his-head-into-a-wall crazy.

"Eh... Nah, I'm fine right here." Matt answered nonchalantly. Then, he made it a point to lazily plop down onto one of the wooden chairs that was on the front porch. Was he seriously getting comfortable now?!

The porch was fairly small and had a wooden railing to barricade the edges. My house didn't even have a doorstep. The flooring was stone, plus the pine green mat that sat in front of the door. Mom had actually knit a rug for our porch, but it was carelessly blown away in the wind. The remainder of the house looked like a cheap log cabin - made entirely of wood on the exterior.

"Matt... This isn't fair and you know it." I let out a huff of breath, looking behind me at the neighborhood children as they were attempting to ride bikes with flattened tires. At least they had bikes to ride... And a road not made of dirt. "Someone is going to catch us out here and what'll they think? Robbery? Loitering?" He smirked at this, relaxing back into the chair.

I huffed in anger and annoyance. "Fine. Be that way." I turned, crossed my arms, and sat down. "Woah!" I shouted, eyes widening, arms flying, as my butt landed roughly on the ground. My gaze then aimed at Matt, who had rudely pulled the chair away from me. "What the heck!" I asked, ignoring the pain that would be followed by a nasty bruise the next day.

Matt cackled, bursting into boisterous laughter. His eyes were watering too. Did he seriously find this funny? "You... Your face!" He pointed at me then held his hands over his chest as he began to laugh. "That..." He paused and wiped a tear from under his eye. "Was wonderful." I sighed as he began laughing again and stood, brushing off my pants as I waited for him to finish.

Three minutes later - three whole minutes! - the laughter ceased and we were left in silence.

"What do I gotta do for you to let me inside Matt? I'm hungry and..." My eyes flickered over to the door, then to his backpack, and lastly, back up to him. "And we can't just sit out here with a bag that looks sketchy... What do you have in that thing?" I poked the bag with my toe. He shrugged. "Ugh!" I threw my arms in the air in an exasperated manner, rotating on my heel to face the street. I kept my back turned towards him.

He was silent for a good minute. I was about to turn around and open that door when his voice surprised me. "Well, I mean, there is always one thing." I heard the mischief in his voice. I bet it was written all over his face too.

"What?..." I asked cautiously, slowly easing the word from my lips.

"You have to... Wait a minute." I heard him stand from behind me and I nearly jumped out of my skin when he placed his hands on my shoulders. He quickly turned me so I faced him. Yeah, the face of an evil mastermind with a not-so-masterful plan. His hands released my shoulders and a smirk plastered itself onto his face. "You have to..." He spoke slowly, making me quite impatient. It didn't help that he paused in between each word.

"Speak now or forever hold your peace." I interrupted him and he creased his brows. "And believe me, you'll be holding that peace when I knock your teeth out." I clenched my fists at my sides and his eyes widened. I bet he didn't doubt me. When I said something, I meant it. A promise was a promise; and oath was an oath.