Red Rose

Chapter 2

A few hours passed, with us chatting away, playing board games, going onto social media and having a laugh. It was starting to get really dark outside. I let out a tiresome sigh.

Avery, had her feet kicked up on the coffee table; her pale skin contrasting with the black seat she was sitting on, Sam was laying across the ground, his arms spread out in an angel position, Max was standing beside Ellie, whose face was now glued to a book, as per usual.

"So. What are we going to do?" I question as the others shrug, "There has to be something you guys want to do," I suggested a few more board games I had, but no one really bothered to say yes, or suggest their own.

That was until: "What about a scary movie?" Avery suggests. Of course she would go there. What was I expecting?
"Okay. Enough with the jokes. You know Vex wouldn't let us," Ellie declares, her face still in the book, not moving to face up as she spoke. I interrupted before Avery's mimicking could annoy me anymore.
"Seriously? Of course I'm not going to let you! If my dad walks through these doors with us watching a movie like that, I'd be grounded!"
"Damn. I never knew you were a pussy," commented Avery, the unwelcome statement being stored into my mind for later.
"I'm not a pussy," I roll me eyes, hoping that if I roll them far enough, I'd be able to find something that is actually interesting.
"Then let us watch one," Sam croaks, his head tilted with a guilty look on his face, pursing his lips. I look around the room to find everyone else doing it, except from Ellie, who still has her eyes glued to the book. I wonder what she's reading?

"'It' would be a good film, wouldn't it?" Avery winked at me, trying to make me laugh, but it failed. Horrendously. I turned towards Max, who pouted at me, one lip over the other, his eyes glimmering as he held his hands in a dog like position.

"No," I said, fiercely, "If you guys want to watch a movie, me and Ellie are going upstairs," I added as I got out of my seat, shaking my head disapprovingly.

Ellie didn't even budge when I said her name; she really must be glued to the book...

As I walked over to Ellie: "Grab us something to eat," Avery blurted out, causing me to stumble on the rug.
"Oh, yes my mistress. The world definitely revolves around you, so of course I'll be your slave for the rest of the day!" I said with complete sarcasm.
Though, she obviously didn't get it: "You said it, not me. And I'm happy to have a slave for the day!"

I scrunched my fists into tight balls, and started to pace towards her, my teeth gritted together like two cars colliding together.

"Woah!" I here the boys yell, scrambling to their feet, making their way over to me. I let out an angry grunt as a reply. However, before I could reach Avery, whose back was now pressed firmly against the back of the chair, my arms reaching out to her, ready to strangle her, both of the boys wrapped their arms around my stomach and my free arm, causing me to struggle. As I wriggled and squirmed in their tight grasp, I heard Ellie's book turn pages, but I couldn't concentrate on that right now. Avery throat was asking for a good squeeze.

"Take her upstairs, now!" Yelled Sam, looking at Max.
"Hey! Why me?" He questioned back.
"Because she likes you more!"
"Wait what? No she doesn't. She likes us both the same!"
"Nu-uh,"
"Uh-huh,"
"Oh my god, would you all shut up?" I screamed, finally stopping the fight to grab ahold of Avery's neck. She sunk further down her seat until her back was leaning on the sitting part of the black chair. I grunted as I faced Avery, looking her in the eye.

"Well, you weren't gonna let me rummage around, were ya?" She claims. I crack my knuckles as a way to calm myself down. My face turns back to its olive colour, instead of that angry red blush.

I face Ellie, who was now sitting comfortably, looking at her phone. I skipped over to her and yanked the device out of her hand, turning to place it on the mantelpiece. She gawks at me as I turn back towards her, her jaw open wide and her arms in a questioning position. I walk back over to her, as I hear the others turn the TV on, scrolling through the channels. I grip Ellie's arm tightly and drag her to the staircase while she struggled the whole time.

As I set a foot on the stairs, I hear a quiet buzzing sound. Not a regular buzz, no. I walk back into the living room to see if anyone else heard the noise. They obviously did as they were scanning the room for an answer. All eyes met mine for a second. Then the TV flickered on and off.

My heart started racing. I didn't like this. The lights were turning on and off uncontrollably. I was freaking out. I let my grasp on Ellie's hand go and sprinted towards the kitchen door while the power remained on. I fiddled with the desk, draws, the cupboards, searching for what I needed. And then my hand laid on it. My torch. My mother's name still pressed onto it. I gripped it with both my hands when I heard screams coming from the living room. Then everything turns black. Everything. I run into the living room, tripping on the carpet and small things on the floor before turning on the light, to see Ellie huddled in a little ball on the floor, Max freaking out by the door, Avery curled up on the sofa, her hands over her ears and Sam in Max's arms, well, trying to get into Max's arms.

They all looked at me as our only chance of sight gleamed brightly into their eyes. "I never knew you were a pussy!" I remarked at Avery, trying to get her back from earlier on. Now probably wasn't a great time to do it though. She just glared at me, giving me a death stare as she forced her eyes onto me from her spot on the sofa, her legs crossed into her stomach.

And out of nowhere, a clap of thunder. We all screamed and Sam managed to snag a spot in Max's arms. Oh, if only I had my phone. This is gold.

We laughed for a little bit, all of us, until the laughter dies down. I walked back over to them, in a hurried power walk, scared of what could be out there.

You think I'm stupid for being scared of the dark. Wait until this happens to you!

Everyone was starting to stand up, when from out of the corner: "guess what I'm thinking!" Avery suggested.
"Oh boy, would I like to know!" I hummed sarcastically. She just rolled her eyes at me.
"Horror stories!"