She Walks the Halls

In Which They Don't Study

Boxes lined the walls of the entrance. Some were empty, others still had a few things in them, like summer clothes or kitchen appliances. All of the boxes were labeled with a silver metallic sharpie that made some sort of pun depending on the contents. The handwriting was curly and neat, definitely, Simone's doing.

"Okay, girlies, I'm going to pick up Drew and Angie. Be back in a bit!" Simone's dad informed them as he shut the door behind him.

Adley felt something cold wrap around her elbow and travel down. She looked down to see Simone's dark fingers curled around her wrist. Her arm was lifted forward as Adley was dragged up towards the staircase.

"Come on, I'll show you my room," Simone half-whispered. Adley trailed behind, following the loose grip on her forearm. The pair went up the steep stairs, around the corner of the hall and into Simone's bedroom

The room was octagonal in shape. The walls were a dusty pink with a white shag carpet. A black queen size wicker bed was pushed up against the back wall next to the door. Directly across from the bed were three tall french windows that surround a small chest with a cushion on top of it, a multipurpose seat. On the other three walls were a bookcase, a dresser and a desk, all painted white. On top of the bookcase sat an army of small cactuses in artsy glass pots.

"Whoa, nice room!" Adley said breathlessly as she spun in the center like she was Belle in the library. The ceiling was high and arched, with small, glittery streamers hanging from hooks, "When did you move here? This room is so decorated already!"

Simone grinned widely and glanced around her room, "Only a few days. I spent days leading up to my mom shipping out moving in, then we had a nice day out before she left. I barely left my room until then."

Adley let out a chuckle, "Sounds like me every day!"

They laughed. Simone threw herself down onto her bed and she spread herself out like a starfish on the bed.

"I hope you don't mind my questions but is your mom in combat?" Adley stopped in her place.

"No, not anymore," Simone's eyes dropped to the ground, "But that is actually how my parents met."

"Your dad was in the military, too?"

"No. He was a doctor in a recovery hospital, my mom got hurt in the Gulf War."

"Typical love story," Adley smiled and peered into Simone's gold eyes, "Love to hear it sometime."

"Why not now?" Simone jolted upright and pat a spot on her bed, beckoning Adley to sit.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"So 1991, the Gulf War was coming to a close," I began, "Mom's on a raid when some genius throws a hand grenade into the distance, but the shrapnel flies far and fast. It hits my mom in the head. Everything goes black, then she wakes up in a recovery hospital. The doctor replacing her bandages is fairly attractive."

Adley giggles.

"They talk while she's in rehab. They've been best friends ever since. That is, until, 1995 comes around and the doctor finally beats the friend zone!" We both laugh, "They date for four years. They get married in '99. They figured if Y2K was happening, might as well be married during it. The first minutes of the new millennia were spent during their first dance as man and wife."

Adley sighs, "So romantic!" she giggles in a valley girl voice.

I grin back, "One year later, I slip and slide out of my mom and now I'm here."

"And you ruined it!" Adley laughed so hard she nearly fell off my bed.

"The story's still adorable!" My dad was at the door smiling at the two of us with Drew and Angie at his heels. They were poking each other like mad because what else would a bunch of six-year-olds do?

"So how's that math homework coming along?" He chuckled.

"Oh, right, that's why I'm here!" Adley giggled.

Dad gasped, "She speaks! Okay, guys get to work," he warned us, "You too, kiddies."

The twins ran off downstairs. They giggled wildly as they raced each other to the table to start their homework. Dad followed shortly after. Before he did, he turned back to us, "You girls are welcome to help with dinner if you'd like after you're done."

"Thanks, dad," I smiled, excited for Adley to get to know my family and lighten up a bit.

Dad shot finger guns at us and I fell back as a part of the joke. Adley followed suit and also pretended to be shot. Dad was downstairs at this point but we were still laughing. We stared up at the ceiling for a little bit. The streamers hanging from the beams glittered and shuddered in the soft autumn wind. I rolled on my side to face Adley. She rolled to face me. The breeze blew her hair out of her face, revealing her bright eyes. I moved closer...

"Well, we should get started on that homework now!" She mumbled and jolted upright. She leaped off the bed and fumbled through her bed for her books. I sighed and mentally kicked myself while I get my own book. I turned back to see her sitting on the bench next to my windows. The light shined around her, perfectly forming a silhouette about her. The open windows let in more breeze. Her short hair rustled gently with the wind. Her math book was balanced on her knees and she held a pencil between her middle and forefinger, wiggling it back and forth causing it to hit the page quietly.

"You know you can sit over here?" I reminded her.

"Yeah. I'm fine though, it's okay."

"Hey, I'm sorry about-"

"It's fine," Adley said sharply. She didn't sound very confident.

"Suit yourself," I tossed myself back on the bed, "My bed's super comfortable."

"I'll manage," She smiled defeatedly, "What problems are you having trouble with?"

"Imaginary numbers. You mean to tell me that after 16 years of learning that math makes up the whole damn universe, I have to learn that numbers are an illusion?" I joked to break the tension. Adley giggled weakly, letting me know that I somewhat succeeded.

Now let me get something straight: I knew what imaginary numbers were. I understood most of the material. I knew I wanted to get to know her. I knew I wanted to see her again and again instead of her just being this quiet enigma. I knew I wouldn't be studying. I knew I wanted something more. I knew everything in that moment other than what more I wanted.

"Hello? Earth to Simone?" Adley was at my side, tapping on my shoulder attempting to disrupt my thoughts. I jump back to reality to feel her other hand on mine. I nod and she reluctantly pulls away.

"At which point did you zone out?"

"I didn't. I was just hyper-focused on what you were saying."

She cocked an eyebrow, "Sure. Then do... Hm... number three."

"Fine," I smirked. I breezed through the problem like the wind outside, "See? You're a great teacher!"

It was her turn to smirk, "You wanna go help your dad with dinner now?"

I nodded in reply. She stood up to leave, but stayed in place, waiting for me to get up, "What are you looking at?"

"You."