Cavities on a Stick

Nut-Ella

I ran my finger on my bed room wall, trying to memorise the names of the states of America.
New York, New Hampshire, New Mexico ....

"So you passed out?" Ann asked rubbing her arm— the one I twisted earlier when she told dad I was behind the Spaaz graffiti on Mrs. Aina's front gate.

He didn't need to know that. What good is this information to a person four thousand miles away?

Besides it wasn't me. Do I look like someone who'd spray paint that rapist cat's name on a gate? I was simply the helping hand to young Rick from A11 who got scratched by it and needed some steam to cool off, so we painted the graffiti on Mrs. Aina's gate because she's the only one in this neighbourhood who won't sue you for little pranks.

"Hmm." I went. New Jersey! "The tan doesn't suit you."
"Really?" she got up to look in the mirror.
"Really." I said. "I think I should go, the poor fellow thinks he gave me a panic attack."

Texas, Florida, Ohio, "I've been getting this odd feeling lately."
"What feeling?"
"I'm disturbingly... never mind. "

"It's Justin, stay away from him." Ann said.
"Or maybe it's you." I gave her a silly smile. "You came and suddenly I feel funny."

Ann dropped back on the bed.
"Will you walk me to his place?" I asked.
"With a broken arm?!" She yelled.
"It's just a sprain."
"It's broken!"

Later that day I called Justin because Ann wanted me to inform him before going over. Looking back, I don't think I agreed to coming over and I most certainly didn't want to walk in on something.

"Hello?" He answered on the third bell.
Damn it he answered. I mouthed. Ann glared at me in return.
"Hi." I said. "It's Ella from the nurse's office."
Kill me.
"You're back in the nurse's office?!" He freaked out.
"No, no, no!" I jumped, heart thudding in my chest.

"Good." He swallowed. "How do you feel?"
"Much better, thanks." I said, waving a cup at Ann, asking her to fetch me some water. "I was wondering... are we still on?"

Ann smacked her forehead. This was not going as smoothly as I'd rehearsed earlier. I could feel the panic rising again.
"Damn you." Ann mouthed.
"Damn you." I breathed.
"Damn... damn me?" Justin asked.
"Not you!" I flinched. "Can I come over, do you still need me to— need my help?"

"Sure."
"What time?" I asked gazing back at Ann, who's hazel eyes hadn't blinked in so long, my eyes watered.
"Quarter past 7."
"Cool..." I don't know what quarter past seven looks like.

Around 8, Ann popped her head through the bedroom door with a plate of both pancakes and waffles in hand. "The knight's downstairs."
"How can it be downstairs?" I asked.
"What?"
"The night."
"The knight!" Ann snapped. "Victor called, he's downstairs!"

'"Victor can't come along."
"You said Justin loved him!"
"Not literally!"
"Ella, Liam won't let you go alone." In his absence, Ann insisted on calling dad by his first name. Partially because he found it offensive, which made Ann all the more keen on using it.

"It's five streets away," I said. "If hell breaks lose, I'll call Vic and he'll be there in no time."
"Liam won't approve."
"Who will tell Liam?"
"Ella if something happens, he'll find out on his own." Ann said. "It's better to be the freak then to be in trouble."

"For the love of God, Ann!" I said. "I can't tag him along."
"You said so yourself, you don't feel okay around Justin."
"I said I don't feel okay around you."
"Fine!"  She said raising her hands in defeat.

The Frosts' had the most blossomed house— with vines that travelled up the front creme walls and pillars. The stone driveway led from the white iron gate and parted mid way to take you to the backyard or to the front door.