A Crazy Phase

CHAPTER ONE: Ava is No Longer My Partner in Crime

November 3, a Saturday afternoon adventure in an almost familiar neighborhood

Ava rolled her black convertible to a stop in front of the semi-grand house on the right. It was bigger than mine with a more elegant style and three stories. The expansive lawn was huge, but the security gate was what I found hot. It was black and tipped with spikes.

I bet I could climb it.

The garage was open, and not a single car sat in the driveway. No one was home.

I let out a low whistle. "This guy knows how to live. Are you sure he won't be back soon?"

Looking over at Ava, I realized why she wouldn't respond. Her teeth were chattering, and she was bundled in three layers of wool jackets. She even had a blanket thrown over her lap. Her long midnight hair was nowhere to be seen thanks to the white beanie that sat atop her head. Her black-brown eyes glared at me.

I rolled my eyes. It was a wonder she had driven us here in one piece since so many of her limbs were confined.

"Fine. If you're that cold, put the roof up," I said.

"Thanks, Idiot. Now you let me roll it up after I've driven in forty degree weather and have frostbite on my tongue," Ava bit out, but still didn't move to put the roof up.

"Thanks, Dummy, for letting me tag along and spy on the new kid, but if we're driving around in the afternoon, I am getting my Vitamin D," I said, pointing at my too pale skin.

"It's November, Remi! The clouds are blocking the sun!" she screeched and lifted a glove-covered hand into the sky.

I smirked. "Nothing blocks the sun's Vitamin-" I jumped as I was caught off by a howl. I twisted my head back to the house.

In the the new guy's freshly cut lawn, there was a fluffy white kitten growling at something, but the larger part of the gate was blocking my view from that something.

Heck, I wasn't passing up an opportunity to see a fight. Even if it was a cat fight.

I pushed the car door open and climbed out.

"Remi! Where are you going? Get back here!"

I ignored the control freak that happened to be my best friend and shut the door.

Wrapping my hand around the cold black metal, I squeezed my head through the gate. The kitten was still there and in front of it was a golden retriever. The dog had hunched over and covered it's snout with its paws to block the kitten's attacks.

"Ava, come look at this!" I shouted.

I heard a huff of indignation, but two seconds later I heard a car door open.

I didn't understand why Ava was upset. She was the one who had the bright idea to stalk the new guy. Two hours ago she had called, and stated, "I have the perfect afternoon planned." So, of course, after she explained that we would be spying, I dressed in all black. Black leggings, black combat boots, a black tank top with a black sweater pulled over it followed by a black jacket. And then to complete my spy get-up, I topped it off with a black beanie and a nice pair of shades.

Despite my secret spy clothes that made me feel like a ninja, my mother had managed to catch me before I could slip out the door. That was a tough situation to get out of.

And then when I had arrived at Ava's house, she was clearly disappointed in my clothing choice. While she was wearing a cream-colored sweater, jeans, and brown boots, I had gone full out secret agent.

She then proceeded to bash me about how it was twelve at noon, and I would just be an object of suspicion.

I told her to shut up and let me live my life how I wanted.