The War Within Me {ON HOLD}

Questions

           

CHAPTER 6

I watch as Garrett runs across his backyard with his brother on his back and the American football tucked in his arms, a whole crowd of boys chasing after him. In a matter of seconds, he makes it past the ditch they've marked as the homerun. I can't help but smile as Garrett pumps his fists skyward in victory as his opposing team pouts. His little brother, Harley, laughs as Garrett playfully tickles him and puts him on the ground.

Though I almost have a heart attack as Garrett celebrates with his team, and we make eye-contact. At first, I don't feel anything, but then it kicks in. My heart speeds up a little too much and I become super sweaty in an instant.

He says something to his friends real quick, then starts to jog towards my porch. Time seems to slow down in the most cliché way, and my legs start shaking as he smiles at me. His sweaty, perfectly blue coloured shirt, and black shorts seem to fit his semi-muscular body perfectly, and match his short, golden-brown hair angelically.

Snap out of it, Nova!

Garret plops down next to me almost comically, and I try my hardest not to blush.

"Hey Nova!" Garrett exclaims too enthusiastically as he looks over at me, "Why aren't you coming over?"

I shift uncomfortably and look away, "Uh. I dunno. I just never really socialize with the people here, I guess. The idea of this campfire makes me really nervous."

Crap! My accent's coming through!

See, I was born in Islington, London and lived there until I was eight years old. Then my father insisted we move back here to his hometown of Woodland, Louisiana. Not like it mattered...after years of physical abuse from my dad, he decided to just leave, because my mom was "too much to handle." Then, of course, my mum had to get cancer, and I was left all alone... Anywho, my mum's British and went to college with my dad. I eventually grew out of the British accent, but it still comes through when I'm nervous or angry, and I still use quite a bit of British phrases.

And there I go again, getting lost in my thoughts.

"You have an accent?" Garrett asks, almost excitedly.

I laugh nervously, "Uh, yeah. I was born in London. It comes out when I'm angry or nervous."

Garrett's eyes go wide and he smiles bigger than ever before, "Holy sh- I mean, holy crap, dude! That's freakin' awesome! I think accents- well, any accent besides the American accent- are just the coolest thing ever!"

I push some of my hair behind my ear and let myself smile a little bit at him. "Thanks, Garrett."

"No problem. It's really cool," he seems deep in thought for a few moments before he perks up, "How about we get to know each other a little more, so you're not so nervous?"

"Uh...okay? And how do we do that?"

"A questions game, of course! I ask you five questions, and you have to answer then as honestly as you can, and vice-versa."

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no. This could turn out so bad. "Sure. You start."

Really, Nova?

"Alrighty," I giggle a bit as he smiles and thinks of a question, "How about...oh! How long have you lived here?"

"Nine years."

"Cool. So, where in London where you born?"

"Islington, London. It's a small town, really."