The Future isn't Bright

Thirteen

I shrieked and covered my face with my hands. After things died down, I peeked through my fingers. In the doorway stood a tall man, with black hair. Just like Oslo. He had bright blue eyes. Just like Oslo had, or pretended he had. And behind him stood none other than Oslo. I felt embarrassed at showing up at his house in near rags. The man that I inferred to be Oslo's father wore a suit, making all three of us feel like outsiders. What were we doing here?

"Donna?" Oslo said, stepping in front of his father.  

"You two know each other?" Jonathan, or Oslo Senior, shifted his gaze to me and back to Oslo. I continued to obscure my face with my hand.

"Yes, from the Gatherings, father" Oslo explained. Ethan nudged me.

"Are you embarrassed?" he chuckled in my ear.

"No!" I cried, yanking my hand away from my face and slapping him upside the head. Oslo smirked at me, causing my cheeks to burn red. I fiddled with my hands and stared at my feet.  

"Can we come inside?" Lucas asked Mr. Ripley, breaking the silence.

"Yes, of course. I'll have some rooms prepared for you all." Rooms? What rooms? I forced my feet to move after Lucas and Ethan, not wanting to stay here at all. But if I had a choice, I would stay with a creepy boy's family over living with Mother any day. When I saw the inside, I almost fainted.

Inside the pasty, white façade of the house was the most beautiful home I had ever seen. My sneakers squeaked on the polished wooden floor as I took in the gigantic paper lantern chandelier on the ceiling, which greatly complemented the striped walls and spiral staircase which seem to climb forever. It seemed like something out of a magazine. When I looked up the foyer, I saw sky windows letting in the gentle sunlight from outside and illuminating the numerous fancy vases inside. It was breathtaking. When I looked at Ethan, he couldn't seem to hide his amazement.  

"Lucas, you and I need to talk. Oslo, take our guests upstairs." Mr. Ripley said firmly. Oslo rolled his eyes but agreed, waving his hand for us to follow. Lucas followed Mr. Ripley to what seemed to be the house kitchen while Oslo directed us toward the staircase. Ethan followed Oslo up the stairs as fast as his crippled body could, not saying a word. I stepped onto the first stair and looked at the kitchen door, which just closed. I wished someone would have told me what was going on, but I did not seem to be getting answers any time soon.  

"Donna! Are you coming?" Oslo called down the stairs in a sing-song voice.  

"Yeah..." I mumbled, stepping on the next stair.  

I was surprised how short of a time it took to reach the second story. I had never used a spiral staircase before, and the experience was very exciting. I saw the boys standing on the second floor, waiting for me.  

"Alright, this is the second floor," Oslo announced, "This is where my parents' bedroom and entertainment rooms are."

"Entertainment rooms?" Ethan and I asked simultaneously.  

"Well yeah," he said casually, "Televisions, arcade games, you name it."

I took a step toward the hall with all the doors, but Oslo grabbed my arm, sending a wave of goosebumps up my arm. I quickly yanked my arm back, my eyes open wide.  

"We're going to the third floor first." he said firmly. For a moment, we just stared at each other. If I looked hard enough into his right eye, I could see the outline of his blue contact. Why did he wear it under the concealment of his own home? No one saw him here.  

"Um..." Ethan broke the silence, "Are you two coming?" We both quickly stepped apart, and headed toward the stairs. I quickly followed after Ethan, but Oslo offered us some space, climbing the stairs slowly.