Tammi Lyn [DISCONTINUED]

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Unconsciously, I've been avoiding Tammi for some time now.

It's not intentional, I swear.

In fact, I came to the conclusion that I was staying away from her a week after the fiasco in the grocery store.

I didn't know why. But I do know that I don't want to make her explode like that again, especially in public places. Rumors about us might start to spread, and that's not good for either party.

We've got our own lives to worry about, thank you very much.

Sometimes life is at a standstill, much like right now.

I was on the couch watching an anime and I've been watching it for a while now, since it's a Sunday and they rerun episodes that played last week so yeah, in a way, I'm binge-watching. And to think I have unfinished homework...

Footsteps came from the stairs and I swiveled my head to see my older brother George climbing down whilst putting on a jacket. Our parents were out with their friends, leaving us alone for the day.

My brows scrunched in confusion.

"Where you going?" I asked him. I hoisted myself a little higher from my lax position to watch him put on sneakers.

George was three years older than me, making him sixteen and in the last year of high school. His chestnut hair was swept back, and I heard he was one of the popular boys known for his looks and intelligence. Whatever. Yeah, I'm a little jealous but it always happens in schools. What's the difference?

"Out," he answered simpy.

I sat up straighter. That was so vague. What does he take me for, an idiot? Okay don't answer that.

"What? Anything specific, at least?"

He clicked his tongue before opening the front door.

"I'll be back before you know it. I just gotta take care of something."

Not giving me an opportunity to say anything more, the door slammed shut.

What was that all about? That was so weird.

Shrugging it off as something unimportant, I took my previous position and switched channels since the one I'm watching has a commercial break.

I contemplated on getting up to grab some food, but before I could so much as finish a thought, I heard a shrill and high-pitched scream coming from somewhere near me.

I fell off the couch in shock, my heart thumping erratically against my ribcage. My pupils dilated and my head turned left and right, almost cracking my neck in the process.

There was a sting of pain on my palms where skin met the rough material of the mat, but those were the least of my concerns right now.

What was that?

The nearest house to us was Tammi's, and the neighbor to our other side lived at least a block away from us.

Does that mean it's coming from the Sanchez household?

Quickly scrambling off the floor and out into the welcome sunlight, I sprinted to their house barefoot, worry and fear gnawing at my insides.

Yeah, again, I know we're not that close but if I don't take action, then who will? It might be too late then.

My feet stopped when I reached their front lawn.

What do I do now?

My fist clenching tight by my side, I walked on and rang the doorbell.

The air around suddenly shifted. There was something heavy and unsettling in the atmosphere. I couldn't tell what it was, but there was definitely something. I was about to ring the doorbell a second time when the door opened and I was met with the smiling face of Tammi's mom.

"Hi Denver," she greeted enthusiastically, leaning down to grab both my cheeks and place wet kisses upon them. Ew.

I managed to stop myself from ripping my face away from her hands, focusing on the main matter at hand.

"What brings you here, hun?" she continued.

The screams were all gone, as if it didn't happen. As if it was a figment of my imagination. But no, I certainly heard them loud and clear. I was sure it happened.

"Auntie, I thought I heard a scream somewhere?" I asked instead, playing a not-so-smart kid so she'd tell me something. Psychology and all that.

Her brows joined as if confused.

"There's no one screaming, dear," she said.

Is she lying? I don't want to label her as that, because she seemed like a nice woman since she's friends with my own mom, but if she's trying to play off some impending danger then... what is she?

I opened my mouth to protest, but she beat me to it saying, "Run home now, Denver. Kids don't need to meddle in adult matters."

Her tone at the end turned cold and demanding, the door snapping shut after.

What was that all about?

Why is everything so weird?