The "Girl" Next Door (BoyxBoy)

Chapter Six

Body Art and a Family Falling Apart

Dannie and I went back to my house the next morning. I was talking to my dad and we were relaxing on the couch when my mother walked in. She didn't acknowledge me or Dannie, that or she just didn't see us. She went to the kitchen and started cooking. We had gotten here around eight, it's ten thirty now. I was mid sentence when I heard an excited squeal. I looked up.

"Uncle Jared!"

"Leaf!" He hugged me tightly like he hadn't seen me just yesterday. Then again, we didn't hang out yesterday.

"Autumn is here?" My mother asked. She walked out the kitchen with a relieved smile, but it vanished when she saw who came with me. Her eyes narrowed at him and she turned away with her nose stuck in the air. Bitch. Jared must have seen my glare because he chuckled.

"And who might this young man be?" Jared asked. I smiled brightly.

"Uncle Jared, meet Dannie. He's been my best friend since moving here." Dannie smiled and shook Jared's hand.

"You are taking good care of him, right?" Jared asked with a raised eyebrow. Dannie nodded with a smile, his eyes flickering to me for a second with an emotion I couldn't decipher before they returned to my uncle. "So, what do you guys do for fun around here?" At this, I grinned widely.

"Lots." I said mischievously. My uncle laughed and put his right arm around my shoulder.

"Let us three go for a walk, yeah?" He said looking between Dannie and I. We hadn't left yet when my dad came up to us and looked at my uncle.

"Hey, Jared. It's been a while." He greeted with a smile and hugged him. When he let go, Jared blushed lightly and looked down.

"Y-yeah, it has." He lamely replied. I stifled a laugh, as did Dannie. My dad's grey eyes twinkled with mirth as he gazed at my uncle.

"Hey, dad," I interjected, "you want to go for a walk with the three of us?"

"Sure." He grinned, "Erika, I'll be back soon. I'm going for a walk." You could hear my mother's grumbling and annoyed huffs, as well as pans, cabinets, and dished being slammed. She'll get over it. I shrugged and grabbed Dannie's wrist.

"Come on you guys!" I exclaimed. The three of them laughed at my enthusiasm and we all walked out the house. Instead of walking around the neighborhood, though, my dad drove us to the park. We took our walk there and it was pretty sunny for it being so early in March. I smiled. The trees were already showing green, the grass was coming to life, flowers bloomed, and the water of the lake glittered with an almost surreal twinkle. Children played on the slides, tried to go really high on the swings, got dizzy on the merry-go-round, and ran around chasing each other. Parents talked or watched silently as their children played and enjoyed themselves. Laughter filled the air, birds sang, and the wind blew in a cool breeze. I smiled softly.

"Hey, Autumn?" I chuckled at Dannie's tone. It was childishly cautious.

"Yes, Dannie?" I responded with a hidden smile. I was glad I had worn my bangs out; the rest of my hair was in a high ponytail.

"I know this is kind of random, but...well....um..." He stammered. I giggled this time. It was so adorable how he stammered when he was nervous. It wasn't very often that he got nervous.

"Dannie?"

"Hm?"

"Just spit it out."

"Haveyoueverhadaboyfriend?" I looked over at him and noticed his face was as red as a strawberry. I wanted to laugh, but instead, stared at him blankly.