A Friend's Love

Chapter Five: First Impressions

First Impression?

In a word, the Johnstone's house was cozy. It was a simple one-story, painted white with a peeling pale blue trim. The garden was beautiful, with dozens of types of flowers and a section for vegetables and fruit. On the shaded front porch there were four rocking chairs and a collection of wind chimes wobbling delicately in the wind. Painted on the front door there were two pairs of hand prints with a name and year beneath them both. 'Cassie' and 'Jake.'

All in all, it was a neat little house. But I was really wondering what the people who lived in it were like.

My mom and I were welcomed in by a woman with soft brown eyes and hair. She was average in height and weight. Something about her smile made me think she knew something I didn't.

I hid behind my mom like a child as everyone was introduced. This wasn't like me. Usually, I would be the first one to say anything. Usually, I would crack a joke to break the ice. But this wasn't the 'usual' me. And I hadn't spoken since my conversation with Erec. Not even my mom knew what had happened, which really wasn't that uncommon because we never talked anyways. But still.

As with before, I knew talking wouldn't bring Erec or Tessa back. So I kept my mouth shut, even when someone asked me a question. It was just easier; almost like I didn't have to think. Which was good, because if I started thinking too much, I broke down.

"It's been so long since we've seen you Amy!" The woman was saying. How long had it been anyways? 11, maybe 12 years? No wonder I barely remembered her, or the rest of her family.

She pulled me into a hug, which caught me by surprise. Physical touch was something I hadn't felt since Erec had visited me a week ago. So I shied away. Even this simple hug scared me.

When I stepped away from the woman and broke the hug, she looked as startled as I did. She looked over at my mom and realization came into her expression. Then she looked at me again and smiled sympathetically.

Ugh. Sympathy. Didn't these people understand that sympathy only made it worse? They didn't know what I was going through, so they shouldn't even try to understand.

"I'm Alise." she was saying. "It's nice to finally see you again." Alise paused, as if she expected me to say something. When I just gazed behind her at the boy leaning on the door frame, Alise started to introduce him, but she was quickly interrupted.

"I'm Jake. Remember me?"

Jake Johnstone was tall and lean, with brown hair. His eyes drew my attention. They were both sea green, but one had a hint of bright blue.

First Impression? Jake had gorgeous eyes. But then I noticed his body language. He had his arms crossed over his chest and he was flexing his muscles subtly enough to not be too obvious. He hadn't bothered to try to shake my hand. At first it was a relief, and then I became annoyed. It was obvious by the look in his eyes that he thought he was too good to shake my hand. And then there was that sly grin on his face, and the way his eyes were openly checking me out. Jake was either cocky, rude, or both. And I didn't like him.

Maybe it was the reproachful look on my face that gave it away, but Jake seemed to know I didn't like his attitude.

"Come'on Amy. Don't you remember me?" he asked, his tone amused.

He found his rudeness amusing? Who did he think he was? Blood pounded in my ears. I could feel my cheeks flushing with indignation. I didn't know exactly what it was, but something about Jake annoyed me... a lot.

I found myself shifting my position and crossing my arms so I looked like Jake. A smirk slid across my face. It was an expression I hadn't shown in a while.