Forgive, Never Forget: Book 1

Chapter 6

The gang was just outside the house of Crystal. Even though Nick and Ron had been to her house before back in their primary years, they had come over for video games and hanging out. This was different. Way different.

Nick was scanning Crystal's glorious house. It fooled their eyes to think that this was a glorious house smiling with the marble walls that it had. Make everyone who came upon the oak door to think that a rich, happy 8-year-olds had resided in this house. Really, Crystal's brother was going to college, enjoying the pleasures while she was stuck in the social prison that was high school. 

Crystal's mind had fogged up with the bubbly and frivolous memories of their 10-year-old selves when she had met them and play video games with them. She won those games all the time. She smiled at the thought but it had been hastily erased from her face when thinking if she would win the game of magic that she was playing at. Now her friends had to too.  

"Wow, Crystal. Even though I have been to this house a few months ago, it still stands as glorious as ever." Nick commented. 

Crystal drew her breath in and let the cool air escape onto her face whilst sending drips of sweat running down her neck. She covered her hands over the brass doorknob and entered the house where everything was about to change...

                                                                                       ***

The creaking of the door seemed so satisfying as they set foot onto the woolly chocolate carpet that wound around their bare feet. The sounds of brushing feet on the carpet sent shivers up Crystal's spine. She felt warmer at the comfort of her home, after the 6 dreaded hours of school and her filthy cousin Daniel.

"I'm back here." Crystal whispered to herself.

She felt more deeply about home as if this was the last time she was going to see it.

Crystal beckoned to Nick and Ron to go to her room to talk about the complicated works of magic and what was going on with Daniel.

"Hello, Nick. Hello Ron." a honey-like voice came from the kitchen. Crystal turned her head to see who it was. She looked exactly like Crystal, just a little bit taller; the same cute fringe and ebony hair that glinted in the sunlight. The same chocolate-brown eyes that Crystal bore, but these eyes appeared duller with a melancholy look in them. This woman had creases in her forehead as if she was containing all the stresses in her life. Yet she still smiled subtly when greeting the two boys that entered her house and her dulled brown eyes only sparkled by the slightest.

"Hi, Mum." Crystal casually replied to her mother whilst nodding her head.

"Nick and Ron just came over to our house to umm...." Crystal paused. A thought clicked into her head and replied straight away.

"Play video games."

Although her mum only knew Crystal for 15 years, she could tell that Crystal wasn't emitting the whole truth. She folded her arms in doubt.

"Did they find out whats happening with Daniel and the other?"

"How did you-"

"Mums know everything." she winked at her daughter and tried to change the conversation into something more "casual". Unfortunately, Crystal and her mum's definition of casual are quite different.

"So, Nick. I hear that Crystal has been talking a lot about you." Crystal's mum replied sweetly.

"Mum!" Crystal hissed and gave her mum her signature warning look. Her mum mouthed the word 'fine' and continued talking for a little bit.