Boys & Bikes

Chapter 1

"I hate it, mom. I hate this" I say. Mom gives me look saying 'okay, really Lily? You've barely set foot in the house'. I shrug carelessly and drop my bag onto the old, marbled floor.

"Well you're gonna have to get over it, Lil" sighs mom, "You're living here now. Now, I think the house is beautiful! You really should be more appreciative, think of living here as a privilege". I mean, I guess she's right. Who would have thought that THE Lily Howerton from Fairfax would be living in the Netherlands for senior year? Pretty crazy, huh? I decide to take a look around. Parker comes running in through the door way like an excited little puppy.

"Mom! The backyard is sick! There's a rope swing out there!" he pants. I roll my eyes and head up the stairs, almost immediately noticing how steep and thin they are. I approach the landing and head down the dark, narrow hallway, brushing my hands against the old wall. I push open the door at the end of the hall, entering a closet-sized room. I switch the light on, to be greeted by a buzzing, dimly lit bulb looking like it'll burn out in any second. My nose crinkles as I take in the musty scent. Gross. The only other light in the room comes from the big window that overlooks the street. How come every other house on this street is decent looking and we get stuck with THIS dump?

I head back out to the hallway and yell for mom.

"What's up?" she calls back.

"Which one's my room?" I ask.

"Third floor, first door to the right!" she replies.

I glance up at the next steep staircase heading up to the dark, ominous looking third floor. I suck in a deep breath and anxiously head up the stairs. Remembering what my mom said, I look to the right at the chipped white door. Taking another deep breath, I wrap my fingers around the cold metal doorknob and push the door open. Without opening my eyes, I already feel dust. I open one eye and look around at the dark room. I shuffle across the uneven wooden floors and look around in disgust. The peeling floral wallpaper is enough to make me shiver with unease. It's like I can feel the spirit of the old lady who lived here before us. I look out of the smudged windows at our backyard and neighbor's houses behind us. Everything just looks dark and sad. I look at the bed frame. It's wooden and dirty and pieces of wood have snapped. I miss Virginia. I get snapped out of my short daze as I hear a pattering sound. I whip around to see two rats chasing each other around my room. I let out an ear-piercing shriek and back out of the room. My shoe catches on a piece of wooden floorboard that sticks out and I fall backwards. I scramble out of the room as fast as I can, even though my shoe fell off. Taking one last look, I see a rat approaching my fallen shoe. No, not my checkered vans!

"MAHMM!" I holler and sprint down the stairs as fast as my legs will carry me. She rushes to meet me at the bottom of the stairs.

"What, what is it?" she asks, worry crossing her features.

"I hate it, it's old, gross and just gives me the creeps. I can't sleep here mom, I can't." I panic.

"Well... I don't think there's anything we can do about that right now, I mean-"

"Mom, can I just sleep with you tonight? Please?" I beg. She sighs and nods, "Yeah, okay".

Milo, our black lab comes running in. At least I have something that'll make me happy. Dad comes in with a silly smile on his face.

"So. Who's up for takeout?" he smiles, "I was thinkin' Chinese?"

"Sounds good, dad" I sigh.

***

That night, we have Chinese while sitting at the temporary table. Not much conversation happening. I spend most of the time thinking. I'm gonna have school, VERY soon. And I don't think I'm ready for that.