by now, i'm the only one down here. that is until tyler decides to sneak in the kitchen for a late night snack, but when he sees me sitting at the counter, the twelve year old freezes.
"what are you doing mister?" i tease as i flick on the kitchen light, catching him in the act. tyler grins slyly. he always was my favorite. he looks to the refrigerator and then back at me.
"getting a snack."
"make it small and fast." i wink and he mouthes a silent thank you to me before grabbing an apple from the crisper and then slinking back upstairs into the darkness.
9:45.
it's 9:45, and this kid still hasn't shown up. i'm never the one to welcome the new kids, so i have no idea how punctual they tend to be. anna said nine and he's nearly an hour late. just as i'm about to go knock on her door, awakening her from her most likely deep sleep, i see someone looking through the screen door and i jump.
i step over cautiously, the dim porch light illuminating the figure slightly. with another moment of inspection from a distance, i decide to approach them.
"are you...him?" i question in a whisper, raising a curious eyebrow.
"uhhh...i guess? is this anna summers' place?"
"yeah."
in a flash, he pushes through the door, causing it to snap due to its poor condition, and now he is standing in front of me in the dark entryway.
"are you my welcoming committee?" the kid teases, and i roll my eyes, although, i doubt he saw.
"certainly your majesty." i day, sarcasm oozing from my tone as he follows me up the stairs quietly. i take him into my room, shutting the door so slowly a snail could probably go faster. he throws a duffle bag on my bed, plopping himself on the pink comforter. i put my hands on my hips, glaring at him.
"nice bed."
"not yours." i snack his crossed feet with my hand, nearly having to push him off the twin bed. the kid lays on the floor, looking defeated. he's oddly cheering for a teenager who's being put into the system.
"do i get the honor of sleeping here with you princess?" he asks, smirking.
