Every small town had that one family.
That one family parents huddled their kids away from when they passed by, whispering under their breath.
Here, that family was the Griffins.
An ancient family too rich, mysterious and isolated for their own go...
The sun rested just above the mountain peak, a brilliant palette of various pinks, oranges and yellows painting the sky's canvas a burning mahogany.
I knocked twice and waited outside Lilith's door, unsure how to stand. A few rustles and light footsteps later she stood hand concealed behind the door, almost hidden. Her slightly curled hair screened her face again. The impulse to tuck it behind her ear had me opening and closing my fist repeatedly.
She stared at me wide-eyed, waiting for me to speak. "Oh uh," I started. Instead of talking I just reached out to return her cardigan. "There it is!" She squealed. It was so sudden and random it made me smirk. Taking it from me cautiously she stepped back to the door, her other arm hidden on the other side of the knob.
"Do you want to go for a walk with me...maybe?" She murmured with uncertainty. Her eyes darted about the hallway before landing back to mine. Mesmerised by the grey coolness of them I cleared my throat, shifting my feet for no particular reason. "Of course, I'll meet you at the pond in 15? I might just shower quickly," I reasoned. "Shower before walking?" She asked, confused. "I suppose so," I replied lamely. "Um alright see you there," she said before closing the door with a shy smile.
I facepalmed myself.
Rubbing an already damp towel through my cold wet hair, I snatched my pants and socks from my drawer. Rushing my button up shirt on, i shrugged my boots on before hastily tying the laces poorly. Deciding it would have to suffice, I ran my fingers through my hair, hustling out to meet Lilith.
Mum gave me a sly look as I strode past her in the living room and stopped dead. I didn't realised they hadn't left yet.
She chuckled under her breath behind me after looking my outfit up and down and mumbling some jargon about 'teens'.
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I slowed my pace as I approached her. She stood with her back to me, her brown hair ablaze, highlighting golden red in the sunset.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, sensing my presence.
I'd come to realise that Lilith always spoke quietly, alway's hidden in some way. She kept herself shut off from the world, and in return, shut the world out of hers. She was the personification of a peaceful warmth. A single brilliant flame that refused to go out no matter who tried to dim her.
Every time I looked at her, it was if her world was moving slower. As if the sun and moon revolved around her every breath. As if she could pause the world if she wanted to. She was completely in her own bubble, out of the world's storm. "She is," I replied. She hurled round to look at me but I had already diverted my gaze to sun. She nodded glumly before turning back again. I had to withhold my smile.
