The Neighbor

five

It's been two weeks since our date. Two weeks, I've hardly seen him around, and when I do, he doesn't acknowledge the fact that I'm here. Andrew asleep on the other end of the couch as I blankly stared at the TV as if it would my question: why is he ignoring me? 

 I should have known better than to get my hopes up, I mean why would he even want to keep seeing me. I ignored him for the first seven years they lived here. Honestly, if it wasn't for Andrew's issues, I never would've even started talking to Matthew. I let out a deep sigh as I heard my fathers car pull up in the driveway, the headlights blinding me even through the blinds. His door could be heard shutting but my face fell when I heard another door shut, a female voice following. I sat up in a rush and hit Andrew's arm, he jumped up, still half asleep. "What the hell?" He questioned giving me a nasty look as he sat back down on the couch, "dad is home, I think he brought a lady with him." I whispered as the door started opening. Andrew and I both watching intently. "Kids, this is Lily Holden. She's my girlfriend." He spoke bluntly, Andrew and i shared a look, I glanced at her and gave her a soft smile, she shouldn't be punished if I'm the one mad at my dad. "Hi, you must be Alexandra. It's nice to meet you." She spoke gently, holding a hand out, I stood and took her hand, shaking it lightly before turning to Andrew. "I'm Andrew." He spoke, standing hesitantly, he shook her hand and turned, leaving the room. 

I could see the fury growing in my Dads eyes. "Andrew!" He called, crossing his arms across his chest. "It's fine, honey." Lilly spoke rubbing his tense shoulder, I mentally gagged at the sight. It never bothered me when he and Mom would show affection, then again when she was alive my dad seemed to have a joyous side, now I just find it hard to be around him. I know everybody grieves in their own way, but becoming hostile and belligerent towards his kids. The only good thing left in his life, I just can't find that acceptable, especially as a grown man. "Uh, excuse me." I spoke rushed, just wanting to leave the situation as well. I ran up the stairs, skipping every other step so I could get to my room quickly. "How awkward is that?" I asked as I tried turning the knob to Andrews bedroom door, the rule is it should be unlocked at all times, he's tried drinking behind my back twice already, he hasn't been out by himself yet sp at least I know he isn't hiding drugs in his room. "Andrew?" I knocked, trying to calm myself. A million bad thoughts running through my head. 

I pressed my ear to the door, and heard a very faint sniffle, I gasped to myself. Is he actually crying? I reached to the top of the door frame, struggling to find the little key, it fell of the edge landing at my feet. Quickly I stuck it in the door knob, turning until I felt the little pop, I swung the door open and saw Andrew sitting in front of his bed on the floor. He didn't look at me as I heard the annoyance in his voice as he spoke. "Who the hell does he think he is? He can't just replace mom." The end of his sentence dipped into a whisper as I approached him cautiously, it's not that I'm afraid of him, I just don't know how upset he is. 

I sat next to him, kind of shocked that he said that, considering I always thought he didn't get along with our mom, all I remember is them fighting. "I didn't know you felt that way." I mumbled, surprising myself as I gripped his hand, giving it a little squeeze as he looked over at me. "How are you so calm right now?" Andrew questioned, leaning back against the bed some more, I shrugged. "I'm not that calm, I'm just hiding it because I need to make sure you're okay." I answered truthfully, we've grown closer, since he's become sober. He put his arm around my shoulder pulling me back against his side. I felt a different vibe, I felt that brotherly love, like I knew he had my back. Everything hit me like a ton of bricks, I began crying into my hands, trying to muffle my sobs. "I'm sure she's nice, I don't want to be rude to her because we're mad at Dad." I spoke in between my shaky breaths, "yeah, you're right. But we should be able to do it on our own terms." He agreed with me, to which I simply nodded, feeling a sense of relief knowing we were on the same page. 

After a few minutes of sitting there, he suddenly sat forward like he had an epiphany. I raised my eyebrows, "we should go swimming, just like when we were kids, just enjoy it." He yanked me to my feet ushering me to my room. "Five minutes." I told him, shutting my door in his face and going to dig through my dresser for my swim suit. Part of me couldn't help but go to the window to look over in Matthew's yard, feeling a pang in my chest as I saw him laying out in his yard with another girl. I stared intently, trying to figure out if it was his sister, Jennifer, but it sure didn't look like her. I took a deep breath, telling myself to forget about it and just put my swim suit on. I glanced in my full length mirror suddenly feeling self conscious of my body. I never normally feel this way, I've always been a little fuller than most girls, but it never bothered me.. until now. 

I shook it off and swung open my door, Andrew not so patiently waiting in the hall for me. We trudged down the stairs, finding Dad and Lilly in the kitchen having what looked like a deep conversation, of course Dad looked angry. I made eye contact with him as walked to the back door, sliding it open and disappearing into the backyard. My ears were flooded with the noise coming over the fence from the Johnson's yard. I walked down the steps of the pool and dunked my head under the water. When I popped back up, Andrew was jumping into the water, a genuine smile on his face for the first time in a long time. 

"What ever happened with that kid?" Andrew asked, as we heard loud laugh from next door, I gave him a look, "well we went out and then he stopped talking to me." I snapped, instantly regretting it. "Want me to beat him up?" Andrew retorted, almost sounding serious, I splashed him, "no, it's whatever.." I trailed off, trying to take my mind off the subject. The mood stayed pretty dreary for a while, as all we could hear was noise from next door. Andrew shocked me as he pushed himself up out of the pool, heading towards the fence, he walked up and crossed his arms on top of the fence. "Hey, you." He pointed towards someone, I couldn't see who but I gasped as I saw Matthews head pop up on the other side of the fence. I whirled around in the pool in utter humiliation as he just saw me gasp at the sight of him. "Could you and your little girlfriend keep it down, you're killing our vibe." Andrew spoke, a harsh undertone in his voice. "Uh, yeah sure." Matthew mumbled, awkwardly walking away from the fence, I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. I turned once I could hear Andrew getting back in the water. "What the hell?!" I shrieked, sinking myself deeper in the water, just wanting to escape this feeling.