An Open Window

Chapter 4

By 8:30, I have to scream to call Portly back into the house after letting him out, the music is so loud.

I put my headphones on, trying to do whatever I can to drown the music, to no avail.

I check the clock, and it's 8:56. I can't go to sleep, it's too early and it's no use.

I guess I'll go take a shower. I think to myself, and I go into my bathroom, turning on the tap.

The hot water flows over my body, and I sigh in relief. I let it hit my face for about ten seconds before I start to wash my body, and moving on to my long brown hair.

Once I'm done, I take some time to ponder the week, with what happened with Christian Thursday night and today. I've never considered him a friend, just some boy who lives next door to me and goes to my school. But that night felt weird. It was the first conversation we've had where we weren't bickering or it's one-sided.

It was...dare I say...

Nice.

But I find it weird (and almost flattering) how much he's noticed about me. He's never shown any sign of interest. So having this bond thing is foreign, but in a good way.

I'm jolted out of my thoughts when I hear a sound from my bedroom. I quickly shut off the shower, taking the towel I set out and drying off, putting on a robe.

I grab a toilet wand before leaving, in case I have to hit someone. I take a deep breath before opening the door and jumping in, only to find there's no one there.

I look around for a second before screaming at the figure on a tree branch outside my window.

"Don't scream, don't scream! It's just me." The figure reassures, and leans closer to the light. I sigh when I see who it is, tossing my toilet wand to the side.

"Oh my fucking god, Christian! Don't scare me like that!" I yell, opening the window.

He clumsily climbs in, falling to the floor. Once he's up and brushed off, he looks at me.

"So, uh, hi." He laughs a little. I remain stony.

"Mind telling me why you were outside my window begging to come in?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"The party was just too much for me. There were too many people this time, and it was super overwhelming." He clears his throat, tugging at his collar.

"Were you...were you, um, taking a shower?" He stammers, giving me a once-over. I look down to still be in my robe, where the front has dipped low to the point where I have major cleavage. I cover it up a bit, blushing.

"Um...yeah. I'm just gonna...I'm gonna go change." I respond, ducking back into the bathroom, internally groaning.

I put the clothes I had on today, a red long sleeve shirt and dark wash jeans. I brush out my hair, and it just bounces up in small waves. I step out, and Christian is standing in the same spot, looking around.

He spots the toilet wand on the floor, and smirks.

"Were you gonna hit me with that?" He holds back his laughter.

"I thought you were a dangerous murderer, I came prepared!" I defend.

He bursts out laughing, and I think it's the first time I've seen him smile, like a real smile. It really brightens his face and he looks happier.

Once the laughter dies, we stand in an awkward silence, and all I wanna do is go downstairs.

"Do you...want me to get you a drink or anything? Or come downstairs?" I finally ask, feeling really intimidated at the fact that this boy was standing in my room.