I tie my hair into a bushy ponytail as I manage to turn down the heat on the stove,whilst at the same time I'm having a quietly terse conversation with my father over the phone.
"...yes,we got in safe.Sas is taking a light nap,she says she has 'jet-lag'" I add the last bit unintentionally.I do not want to share jokes with this man.But I do find it funny that Sas says she has jet-lag when we've travelled for only four hours,by car too.To an empty house,as usual.I hear him chuckle lightly,but I don't join in.
"But you travelled by car,didn't you?"he assumes,as I stir the spaghetti a little so that it doesn't stick.
"Yes"
I answer curtly,and he gets the message.He sighs.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you guys settle in,the shifts I have tonight are a bit hectic,but I promise I'll be home before midnight,I promise"
he says contritely.I'm not really paying attention to what he's saying as I taste the source,but I nearly snort at the last part.As if his promises count for anything.He is our father.He should know right now that Sas and I need at least one parent available,considering things.But,like our mother,of course his job comes first.
"Colleen,I really-"
"Its Jen.And should I leave some dinner for you?I'm making ' bolognaise "
I cut across his unneeded explanations.He sighs again
"Of course.I'd love some home made food for a change.Thank you" he says quietly.I quickly hang up when its clear that there's nothing more to say.I only offered the food because it seems as if I've made too much for two.But he doesn't need to know that.I'm busy setting the table when the doorbell rings.Sighing with frustration,I go and check who it is.I'm not really impressed when a guy who looks to be a few years older than me stands there and stares at me.It takes me fifteen seconds to shut the door in his face,before I head back to the kitchen to fetch the cutlery.The doorbell rings again.Growling,I stalk back and swing the door open roughly,and lo and behold,it is the same guy,only now,his expression looks blank.Crossing my arms,I raise an eyebrow at his persistence.
"For such a cool looking lass,your manners truly suck.You must be Colleen" he says calmly,with a deep drawl.I ignore his intended insult.
"Its Jenner" I correct him reflexively,but he only looks up and blinks at me once with big green eyes,before looking down at the papers he is holding,as if I haven't said anything.
"Doctor Matthews said Colleen would be here.I was meant to drop these off to her,and since you are the one who fits the description,you ARE Colleen,and I'll just hand them over to you"
he says,before pushing the sheaf of papers to me.Curiously,I look at the logo on the top centre of the first page,and realise they are registration forms to the new college I will be attending.
"I live right across from you,so if you need anything.."and only then do I remember that there's a person in front of me.I blink,waiting for him to just leave.He doesn't.
"I'm Adam Mead,by the way" he offers,but I don't care,so I just nod.He stares at me with his curious green eyes.
"Do you speak at all?...no?" he tries again,but I just glare.He soon gets the message though,because he sighs and takes a step back.
"So Colleen,if you need anything at all,just ask around for Adam,okay?". He says it almost suggestively,but I see the mockery in his face.
"Its Jenner" I say stonily,but he just gives me a small smile.
"You know,I'm beggining to think that's as far as your vocabulary goes....night Colleen,see you around"
He says it almost enthusiastically,but I ignore him,shutting the door on his retreating back.I forget about him as soon as I reach the staircase,my intent being on on waking Sas up so we could have dinner,just the two of us,as we always have.
