blurry | ✔️

chapter nine

       

I had been over here a thousand times, but Charlie's house never ceased to amaze me, especially now that it was nighttime and all of the lights were on. Right in the middle of the roundabout driveway was a large, three-tiered fountain that was fully lit-up, the water making soft sounds as it pooled together. The house itself was incredibly modern, one of those homes that looked as though several squares and boxes were constructed beforehand, different rooms and areas, and then placed together in random fashion. It was entirely white, seemingly made up of only windows, and two stories high with a balcony that extended out over the carport. It was one of the most beautiful houses I'd ever seen, and coupled with Charlie's car, I could tell that his family had money.

We both got out stepped out of the car. Charlie's arm was tight around me, leading me up the cobblestone path, my heels teetering, scaring me out of my mind that they might have gotten caught in one the cracks and completely snapped in half. I was already nervous enough as it was. We were at the foot of the stairs that led up to the doorway, and as if on cue, the door swung open and two figures emerged.

"Charles!" a woman's voice exclaimed from above us. I could barely see what with the lights practically blinding me, but I could only assume they were his parents.

"Mother," Charlie said.

Mechanically, I made my way up the steps along with Charlie's assistance, my eyes beginning to adjust to the light. Charlie's parents were patiently waiting, their smiles plastered on, the exact types of people I would have imagined lived in a house like this. His dad was dressed in a pair of khakis over a blue button-down that was securely fastened with a tie at the top and a black belt at the bottom, his hair gelled back in perfect position, his shoes shined to the point of almost glowing. His mom was wearing a matching blazer and pencil skirt set (light pink—salmon, she later corrected me) and draped around her neck was a string of pearls, which I figured had to be real. They looked straight out of a catalog, and I felt like a street walker in my too-short dress and hooker shoes.

"This must be her," his mom said, extending her hand to me. "Hillary, is it? I'm Pamela. It's so nice to finally meet you. This is my husband, Charles."

"Not to be confused with this Charles," the dad said, reaching over to pat his son on the shoulder. "I was the first." And then he laughed one of those dad laughs, the ones where you can literally hear each "ha."

"Well, come on in, you two," Pamela said once I'd said hi, gesturing for us to go ahead into her home. "I'm sure it was a long drive, and dinner awaits your arrival." Charlie laced his fingers through mine, and I followed him as he stepped over the threshold.

"Welcome to our humble little abode," she continued as they stepped in behind us, even though there was nothing humble or abode-like about this place.

I smiled politely and said, "Thank you for having me."

"Make yourself at home, darling," she said, and I tried not to think about how many times I had done just that, because Charlie insisted I didn't mention it. "Any friend of Charles is a friend of ours." I couldn't but think that everything she said sounded rehearsed, like she owned a book of cliché sayings and was trying to see how many she could pack into one sitting.

Out of nowhere, I heard a sharp barking sound at the same time I felt something bump violently up against my ankle. I shrieked and jumped back, hiding behind Charlie's arm, fearing for my life. I looked down to see a small dog, fluffy and white (sparkling just like everything in this house), staring me down with its teeth bared, a low growling sound coming from its mouth.

"I didn't know you had a dog," I said to Charlie.

"Oh, sorry," Charles said. "That's Victor. Victor, leave it!" He snapped twice at the dog and pointed to the other room, and Victor turned around, scurrying in that direction. "He doesn't exactly like new people. He thinks he's bigger and scarier than he is." Charles laughed, but I felt embarrassed that I'd screamed so loud over the tiniest dog I'd ever seen.