Seeing Red

Amara

I ripped a strip of tape off the last large cardboard box the movers had left in my new bedroom, back aching from painstakingly picking at the edges for entirely too long. Someone had accidentally packed my army knife, which my whole family was adamant that I didn't need. Guess they were wrong. I would never understand why my parents took so much care in packing up our whole lives when we would just unpack everything not even a week later.

It was my first time waking up in the new house, in a new town, and I already felt lonely. And not that I would ever admit to it, but I was nervous to start school on Monday. High school social life is always difficult, but I'm going to assume it'll be especially difficult for me, since I'm entering senior year two weeks into the school year.

My little sister bounced through my open door just as I unstuck the tape from my fingers and reached up to smooth my baby hairs back under my blue bandana.

"Amara, come outside and play with me!" she panted, leaning against the door frame. I rolled my eyes, trying to be angry but failing. It was impossible to be angry with Kelsey and her puppy dog eyes despite the fact that if anyone else had disturbed my peace and quiet, they would have seriously regretted it. I liked to think I was fairly levelheaded, but I for sure had a temper- only when necessary, of course.

"Sure thing, munchkin," I smiled, "I'm all done, but give me a second to wash my hands,"

She beamed. Like me, Kelsey had long chocolate curls and hazel eyes. The only difference was that hers was cut into a sweet bob, while mine ran unchecked down my back and all the way to my hips. In the bathroom mirror, I frowned at said curls which were pulled into a sad pile on top of my head. After flipping my hair upside-down and shaking it out, I splashed some water on my face before reapplying a layer of my favorite strawberry chapstick. The last thing I wanted to do was scare my neighbors away before I met them, and my Saturday morning bedhead would definitely do the job. 

As soon as I closed the lights and shut the door behind me, Kelsey jumped up, tiredness already forgotten. 

"Race you outside, Mara!" I heard her voice call as her little legs carried her down the stairs faster than I would have thought possible. I couldn't help but smile. At least Kelsey was making the best of her new home. 

With that comforting thought in mind, I followed her downstairs and out the front door only to face a less than comforting surprise. Kelsey had somehow managed to wander out of my line of sight in the short time it took me to walk down the stairs. Why would a 10 year old wander away from her sister, I thought over and over, trying to think logically instead of pacing and stressing, before hearing the answer barking from behind the house across the street.

I had always wondered who was living in that house, anyway. Most of our elderly neighbors had brought us banana bread or some sort of casserole, but no unwelcome welcome gifts from the picture perfect Pinterest house across the street. Huh. 

"Kelsey? Kels?" I called, jogging across the street and taking the liberty of letting myself through the gate into their backyard. It was only fair, nothing was going to keep me from finding my sister anyway, even if I knew she was probably fine. There was nothing Kelsey wanted more than a dog and my family had moved so many times that my parents thought it unfair to put an animal through that. Obviously not so unfair that they put their two children through it, though. But no complaints, I've had some pretty great memories around the country. 

Just as I thought. After closing the gate behind me, I turned to find Kelsey rubbing the belly of a well-fed and absolutely adorable baby Bernese Mountain Dog. Who said that I haven't been secretly wishing for a dog all these years? And when I say baby, the dog was probably around the  same size as the fun-loving 10 year old who was already sporting some serious grass stains on her pink leggings. What a cute kid. 

A loud cough came from behind me, jolting me from my thoughts. I whirled around. 

"Hello?" 

A tall girl stands on the porch steps behind me, hand on her hips. Her brown hair cut bluntly below her jawline and full bright red lips were definitely less than expected from this adorable cottage, but all I can focus on is the suspicious look on her face. This neighborhood seems like the type to gossip over tea and I officially think I've ruined my high school experience. Shit.

"Hello yourself, stranger," The girl raises an eyebrow, "Any reason you're in my backyard making friends with Benny?" 

I turn to stare at my sister and the fluffy dog, who obviously haven't realized they'd been caught. They're not about to help me out here, but I don't exactly care that much after seeing the smile on her little face. This is the happiest I've seen her in weeks. Mystery girl clears her thought and I'm jolted from my thoughts. 

"Fuck, I'm honestly so sorry, we were in my yard- and then we were here- well, she- my sister- was here, and then I was ju-" 

My face was definitely flushed 50 shades of pink. My pale skin easily showed whatever emotion I was feeling. 

She laughs. "It's okay, babe, come inside. You're the new family across the street, right?" 

We entered the kitchen and I could hear the the heels of her platform boots clicking against the tile floors until she hoisted herself up and onto the counter. 

"So new girl, I'm Kayla, welcome to Waybrook," She winks, "You're Amara, right?" 

If I wasn't already surprised by an alternative teen living in a picturesque country house, my jaw would have dropped. 

"How do you know my name?" 

Kayla smiles. "Small town, baby. Get used to it." 

She swings down from the counter and grabs my hand before leading me deeper into her house. 

"I was just thinking that I don't like anyone in this town and here you are. Call it intuition, but I think we're going to be best friends, so you can call me Kay," she says. "By the way, your sister will be fine outside, all our other neighbors are in wheelchairs." 

Kayla, no, Kay, stops all of a sudden and turns around sharply, my nose almost hitting her shoulder. The girl is tall and she's got class, I got no complaints. 

"Wait here for a second, I think I left my phone outside," she grimaces, "Super sorry, hang tight and I'll be right back." 

Typical me that I could ever hope to avoid drama. Not even ten seconds after she leaves, I hear a loud knocking on the front door. Not trying to be rude, I ignore every survival instinct drilled into me by my parents and I rush to open the door. Standing before me, all tall dark and handsome, is the most beautiful guy I've ever seen, but also the most angry.  Good job, Amara. How're you gonna get out of this one?