rumor

9

i drove down the street, stopping at the red light. "where are we going?" i asked, looking over at kian. "your house?" he asked. i nodded, turning my attention back to the road.

when the light had turned green, i placed my foot on the gas.

"anything new?" kian asked me while i drove. "not really" i shrugged, glancing over at him. "how's your mom?" he asked. "worse" i said quietly. "elaborate?" he offered. "her drinking got worse" i finished. he slowly nodded.

i pulled into the driveway, turning off my car and getting out, along with kian.

we walked up the porch and inside. "mom i'm home, kian's here" i said. "alright" i heard her from the living room.

kian and i made our way to my room, i plopped down on my bed. he sat next to me. kian chuckled. i looked over at him, "what?" i asked. "i remembered the old tree-" i cut him off, "the tree house?!" i said loudly. "can we go?" i asked, standing up and in front of him.

he chuckled, slightly looking up at me from the bed. i felt his fingers run along the sides of my thighs.

"kian!" i whined, "please? i haven't been there since sixth grade" i begged. he groaned, "fine" he said. i smiled, grabbing his hand and pulling him up.

"you drive" i said, throwing my car keys at him. he nodded, catching them and getting in the drivers side of my car. i got into the passengers side.

he turned down a dirt road and stopped by a wooded area. i saw the path and smiled. i turned on my phones flashlight and got out, running to the trail. "i haven't been here in six years" i said, "neither have i" kian smiled.

we both walked next to each other down the narrow path. he saw the ladder first and ran to it. i smiled and followed.

he hurried up the ladder and stood at the top, i took my time and climbed up. he held out his hand and i took it, helping myself up.

kian pushed open the tiny door with his foot, a small creak following. he shone the light around the inside, i saw multiple webs and dust everywhere. "can we come back tomorrow and clean it out?" i asked, "yeah" he nodded.

"do you need a ride home?" i asked, while we were walking back to the car. "a ride to the café maybe, i left my car there" he answered. i nodded, getting in the drivers seat while he got into the passengers.

"bye ki" i said as he got out. "bye ann" he joked and shut the door. i pulled out of the parking space and made my way back home, by now, it was ten thirty.