Show me what love is

Chapter one

It was the end of June, a nice summer day where no one would just sit at home. Everywhere you'd look, you would see people going for a walk, sitting on benches or the grass, enjoying the sun and having fun with their friends or family. Some people would play soccer or walk their dogs, others would ride their bikes or just spent time in their garden having barbecues or having pool parties. On that day Atticus was in his garage, helping his dad to repair the old truck which was standing around for what has felt like it has been a full century. His dad thought it was a good idea to repair it so he could spend some time with his son, which did not happen very often lately and so that Atticus would finally be able to have his own car and wouldn't have to depend on his parents or the bus. Of course, he could get anywhere by riding his bike whenever he'd like but because most people with 17 already had their own car, his dad didn't want Atticus to feel excluded. Both guys where in the middle of repairing when Atticus' mom interrupted them by entering the garage. "what do you two think about taking a break and saying hello to our new neighbours? I just saw them in their backyard so they should have some time now." Atticus lifted his head and looked over to where his mom was standing. He totally forgot that they have got new neighbours. Of course, his parents had mentioned it before but he didn't really pay any attention when his parents were gossiping about his Neighbourhood because he didn't really care much about other people. "Oh, of course, honey. I'm just changing my dirty close so we're not making a bad first impression. Atticus you should change too. You smell." His dad chuckled and quickly left the garage to get change. With a small nod, Atticus also made his way out to get changed before they went over to greet their new neighbours. He put the dirty shirt he was wearing into the wash basket and changed into a new, clean one. He took a look into the mirror and decided to quickly brush his hair since his dark brown hair was standing in every direction possible. He sighed and looked into his blue eyes than looking at his outfit which was a green Tshirt and a normal Jeans and a pair of black Adidas before going downstairs where his parents where already waiting in front of the door.

 He didn't really care who his new neighbours were, the only reason why he came with his parents was that his parents liked to pretend like they were the perfect little family with no problems at all and since he didn't want to be in trouble he did what he was told even if he wanted to do something else. Atticus' mom had prepared flowers from their garden to gift their new neighbours which she was caring on the way over to the other house. His dad rang the doorbell and after a few seconds, the door was opened by a small girl, probably around the age of eleven. Her hair had a blondish colour and was put into a ponytail which was held by a bright red scrunchie. Her eyes where a green which went into brown. She was wearing a white t-shirt and a red tutu which matched her scrunchie. Underneath she was wearing white tights. Her shoes were also red Converse but with glitter. She looked at the family standing in front of her with big eyes and quickly a middle-aged woman, with the same hair colour but curls and brown eyes came running behind her. "Mira how many times do I have to tell you to not open the door without me or your sister?" the girl, Mira just looked at her mom and run away into the house again. "I'm so sorry about that. How can I help you?" the woman said directed to us now. "oh no worries. We are your next-door neighbours and we just came to say hello. I'm Stephan and this is my wife Helen and our son Atticus. It's nice to meet you guys. Was that your daughter?" Atticus' dad said with a friendly smile on his lips. "oh, nice to meet you. Yeah, that was my one of my daughters Mira. My older daughter, Elli is in the back preparing dinner. We're having a barbecue if you'd like to join us? My name is Sarah by the way." "Oh really? We don't want to bother you" Atticus mom said politely but Atticus knew that his parents would never reject an invitation. "don't be silly. If you would be bothering us, I wouldn't have invited you to join. So, come on in we have plenty of space and food." Sarah let them enter the house and showed them the way to the back door which leads into the backyard. As soon as he stepped in, Atticus looked around while following the adults. The house was nicely decorated and it seemed welcoming. There were some pictures on the wall but he didn't have enough time to look at them before they arrived in the backyard. He took a look around the garden and it looked very similar to their own garden. There were some flowers next to the fence, a tree, with a swing attached to one of the branches, in one corner in the back and a shed next to it. Right next to the house was a little fireplace, a table and near it a barbecue. In front of the Barbecue, there was a girl. Her hair was straight and had a hazel brown colour with a nice ombre into dark blond in the tips. It was made into a half-up, half-down bun. Her eyes where a grassy green which matched her hair colour perfectly. She had a good body figure. She wasn't very thin or thick just normal and healthy-looking with some curves. She was wearing a pastel blue cropped hoodie and a black ripped high waisted skinny jeans which were cuffed at the bottom. Matching to the hoodie, she was wearing pastel blue old skool vans. She was just putting the steak and grilled vegetables of the barbecue on to a plate which she laid down in the middle of the table when her mom called her. She came over to where her mom and the guest where standing. "sweetie these are the Platts. Stephan, Helen and their son Atticus. They are our neighbours and will be joining us for dinner today." The girl nodded with a smile and looked at Atticus and his parents. "Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Elisabeth, or Elli like my mom calls me. But please call me Liz." 

During dinner, the parents got to know each other and Stephan and Helen told Sarah a lot about the Neighbourhood and the town. Liz and Mira also took part in the conversation, only Atticus kept quiet. He wasn't the type to talk a lot. He rather just listens and observes everything. After everyone was done eating and were now just sitting and talking Helen talked to Liz. "So Liz, what school will you be going to?" "I'll be going to Westside High. My mom used to go there when she lived here a couple of years ago." Liz answered politely. "Oh really? Atticus goes there as well. I'm sure he will show you around there won't you Atticus?" Atticus, who had followed the conversation nods quietly. "Uh sure, I guess. Why not." Liz smiled at him but knew she would, later on, ask him again when his parents aren't there because she felt like he didn't really want to. "That is very nice of you. Since you go there do you mind tell me a bit more about the school? The website didn't give me that much information and since it has been some years that my mom went there, her information probably isn't that UpToDate." She smiled at him and when he nods and agreed they got up from the table and Atticus followed Liz into her room. The room was kind of big. It had a Desk which was standing in front of the window, her bed was like a top bunk bed but instead of the bottom bed, there was a couch. On the wall in front of the couch, there was a Tv. The walls had a nice light green colour and some paintings of animals were framed on the walls. She also had a lot of plants standing inside of her room and next to the desk there was a guitar. Next to the door, there was another door which led into the wardrobe. Atticus looked around while Liz sat down on the couch. After a few seconds Atticus shyly sat down on the other end of the couch. "okay so, first of all, you don't have to show me around in school if you don't want to. I know parents can sometimes be a bit annoying and expect things you don't like." Liz softly smiled at Atticus. "oh yeah but don't worry I don't mind showing you around." Atticus looked at her and felt kind of bad. He didn't want her to think she dislikes her or something so he wouldn't want to show her around. "Well if that's the case, thank you Att." Atticus chuckled because of that nickname. "Att? Is that how you're going to call me now?" Liz smirked. "Yeah, that is going to be my name for you. So Att. Tell me something about you? What do you do for fun around here?"

_

1632 words