The Spectre

Chapter Two : A Boy

The ride to Aunt Ingrid's was a little longer than I expected. We left the airport at exactly seven o'clock in the morning and it has been an hour and a half and we are still on the road. I sat at the backseat of her mini van lazily watching over the sights as we go along and not intending to chime in or even listen to their conversation. I sometimes caught my Aunt Ingrid looking at me through the car's rear-view mirror and I would be the first one to look away. There is something with the way she looks at me that I could not elucidate but I just shrugged it off and thought that maybe, that it is normal for someone who just met his or her kin for the first time. It was strange though, when she first laid her eyes on me she looked at me in a weird way. And when she hugged me I felt strangely calm and safe, like there was some kind of a puzzle piece missing within me and that I have found it when I saw her. I shook the thought out of my head and remained in my stillness. I do not know a single thing about Aunt Ingrid except that she is mom's older sister. I do not think I could trust her yet.

We took a turn at an exit leaving the freeway and saw a vast of greens, usually farm fields and trees. I haven't seen a single house nor an establishment but after a few minutes I finally did.

"Are you enjoying the suburbs, Arya?" My Aunt Ingrid called out to me. I looked at her and she smiled at me. I managed to give her a half smile as a response. "I know this place looks a bit different from where you're from but I tell you, you'll like it here." I just nodded at her.

"Your kid is a silent type huh?" She told my mom jokingly.

"Don't call her that, Ingrid. She doesn't want to be called like that. It makes her upset." Mom answered emphasizing her last word.

"She'll miss being called a kid at some point when she gets old." Aunt Ingrid said to her.

"I don't know about that. I guess she really wants to grow up fast and be a lady. You know how teenagers are." Mom laughed and I rolled my eyes. Hello? I can hear you. I wanted to tell her.

"We're here." Aunt Ingrid made a turn to enter a subdivision. "Welcome to Brentville."

"Brentville.." I mumbled as we went in and started to keenly inspect everything. The houses did not look different from where I am from. Here they also have single or duplex homes with a front porch and there weren't any fences too. Street lamps are placed within two houses apart and each house has a garbage can in front to keep in their trash. I saw a kid riding a bike and a man walking his dog on either side of the road and we passed a house wherein an old lady waters her flowers in her front yard. Everything looked peaceful and somehow, even if the place is new to me, I think I'm beginning to like it.

We stopped in front of a white, two-storey house with a long front porch  and a garden filled with different kinds of flowers. The house itself looked big enough for Aunt Ingrid and I wonder how come she still lives alone. This place can hold a large family with at least three kids.

"Come on get your stuff in while I make you guys something to eat." Aunt Ingrid told us before she went out of the vehicle. I grabbed my satchel and helped my mom carry some of our luggage inside and as soon as I entered the house I went definitely in awe. The place has a florid style with ornate walls and curtains that gave out a Victorian vibe. I saw a grandfather clock near the dining area and chandeliers in the living room and other parts of the house that needs lighting. I could also smell a bit of sandalwood in the air.

"Wow." I voiced out and my mom laughed as she heard me. I continued to fascinate myself more with the interior of the house.

"You can marvel all you want but first we have to get settled in. There's still a few bags left inside the van and you should get it. I'll help your Aunt Ingrid in preparing the food." Mom instructed and I nod in response. I went back to the vehicle to take out the remaining luggage we have.

Just as I was taking out some of the bags one by one I was a bit startled by a sudden voice from my back. It was more of a whisper actually and I could not make out the words. I turned to see a teenage Asian boy that looked Korean with small eyes and short spiky hair smiling widely at me. He wears a black shirt that says One of A Kind along with baggy cargo shorts and skate shoes and he is carrying a skateboard on one hand.

"Sorry if I scared you." The Korean dude told me. I sort of, went still for awhile as I gazed at him. He looked kind of cute but a little skinny. I like his get up though, definitely a skater. And his shoes, are those Etnies? I want one myself.

"Yeah they're Etnies." He told me smilingly.  I was startled again for the second time. Did he just read my thoughts?

"I saw you looking at my shoes, I thought maybe you wanted to know." He shrugged, still smiling. I looked at him strangely. "You're new here aren't you?" I just nod.

He pouted his lips and looked at me for awhile and I became conscious. I turn my gaze in other directions except his. I think he is even eyeing me all over. What is wrong with this dude?

"My name's Jiyong by the way, but you can call me GD." I turned my attention back at him and saw his hand offering a shake.

"I'm Arya." I told him as I reach his hand and my eyebrows creased as I took notice that it was as cold as ice and it was weird because right now the sun is scorching hot.

"It was nice to meet you, Arya." GD smiled at me. "I hope we could hang out sometime."

"Yeah, maybe." I answered plainly. "Where do you live?" I asked him.

"A few streets away from here." He answered. "Don't worry, I'll come back for you. That is if you want me to." He gave out a boyish grin.

Why can't he just stop smiling? But.. It's kinda cute..

"So? What's it gonna be?" GD asked me. Shoot! Did I just spaced out?

"Oh, u-uh.. S-Sure." I stammered. God I wanna slap myself so hard right now.

He smiled only lifting a corner of his lip, "Cool. I'll drop by at your place sometime." He told me coolly.

"Alright." I answered then shrugged.

He dropped his skateboard on the floor and before he could ride with it he turned to face me again. "It was really nice knowing you, Arya. I hope we could be friends."

"Yeah. Me too." I told him. He gave me one last smile and then left.