Hiding

Chapter 2

Aaron

August 26, 1:26 p.m.

My sister, Aubrey, and I were hanging out at my best friend, Devon's, house when we notice a black CRV pull into the driveway of the house next door.

"New people. haven't seen that in a long time," he stops to think for a moment, "Actually, now that I think about it, I haven't seen new people. Like ever," my best friend, Devon, says with a quizzical look on his face as he suddenly makes this realization.

"I know, right? I mean, I've lived here even longer than you have, and the only new people I can remember coming here are you and your father when we were ten," Aubrey states enthusiastically.

I just nod at the both of them and continue looking at the black car parked in the newly paved driveway across the street. I notice how the car looks just as new as the driveway, and I begin to wonder whether it's well taken care of or if it really is brand new.

Suddenly, I saw one of the back doors open revealing a petite girl in a comfortable outfit consisting of an off the shoulder top and black leggings. The sun reflected off of her light brown hair making it look more dirty blonde. I couldn't see her eyes or much else, but I could tell that she was around our age.

The other car doors opened soon after as well as the trunk, which was filled with boxes along with something else that I couldn't quite make out.

"Hm," Aubrey sounds behind me making me jump. "I wonder who they are or where they came from. Do you think they're going to be in school with us? Oh, that would be so exciting. I wonder what..." I began to tune her out as I long interest in what was happening.

However, when I turn around I find her inches from my face making me jump backward into the window.

"Jeez Bree, do you have to stand so close?" That's when I notice the small, curious smile on her face that immediately changes to an almost devious smirk.

"Or what? We both know you won't do anything to me. Besides you should've known I'd be here since I want to see them too."

I return her smirk with one of my own as I give up the window seat she seems to be coveting at this point and sit next to Devon on the ground.

I raise my head to see Devon looking at my sister with a small smile on his face, "Been a while since I've seen that face." I follow his gaze to see Aubrey almost trying to dissect information about the new neighbors, and come to realize how right he was.

Whenever she's studying, or learning something new, or meeting new people she is always happy, but lately I feel like she's been deteriorating.

Ever since that night, that talk she truly hasn't been the same, but, in moments like these, I feel like I can see my twin coming back to who she is. With some change, I guess.

I am flung back into reality by Aubrey squealing in delight, "Look, look! They have a little puppy, it's so cute! Can we go over and meet it? I can't believe I didn't catch it before, but to be fair it is a small little puppy-" She stops to look at our faces and asks, "What?"

Devon and I had been struggling to contain our amusement before, but as soon as she asks that one little question...

We break.

After a couple minutes of unstoppable laughter, Devon and I calm down as Aubrey continues to look at us like we're insane.

"Seriously, what? There was just a cute dog that we should totally go and meet. Now, come on it won't be out forever," she says this all while standing up and gesturing for us to do the same, and like good dogs we do as she says.