Sway

Chapter two - Spencer

            § Chapter two - Spencer §

   “Damn dude. You got a chick living next door now.”

   “Huh?” I stare hard at the screen in front of me.

   “That person we saw earlier – the one laughing at us? Totally a chick. Definitely got boobs.”

   For a second, the words don’t click. I press A and Y furiously but it doesn’t matter. The words ‘You Lose’ flash repeatedly across the screen as I drop the controller onto the floor. 

   “Wait, it was a girl?” My head snaps in his direction and a groan of horror stretches out of my mouth.

   Why? Because Chris is standing at my damn window with a pair of binoculars glued to his face.

   With the sound of my trainers scuffing the wooden surface being the only warning, I throw myself across the room, tackling him to the ground.

   “Dude! What the hell?” He shouts, the binoculars flying out of his grip.

   “You idiot! That’s my neighbour – chick or not. You can’t spy on her!” I growl, standing up and dusting myself down.

   He makes a low noise of annoyance and shakes his head, clambering back up with difficulty. “Well, excuse me for being curious!”

   I give him a pointed look. “You were being nosy, not curious.”

   “I was being curious,” he mutters with heavy emphasis.

   “Haven’t you ever heard that curiosity killed the cat?”

   “Well duh. But satisfaction brought him back you dork.”

   I slap my hand to my forehead and turn away from him. I glance in the direction of the house across from me. The flimsy material of the curtains shrouding her room is almost transparent.

   I turn back to him. “That game is worthless. It should be burned.”

    Chris just grins his monkey grin. “Just ‘cause you can’t play it dude.”

   “No. It’s awful.”

   “Saying that Soul Callibur is awful is like saying you hate chocolate,” he laughs.

   I throw myself back onto my bed. “You’re an idiot.”

   “So’s your face. You don’t hear me complaining.”

   “That’s so immature.”

   “I know,” a moment of silence. “You don’t... you don’t think she’ll tell everyone at school about that, do you?”

   I tilt my head in his direction. He looks nervous. “I don’t know,” I shrug. 

   But despite my cool exterior, inside I can’t help my quaking. If it got out that we’d decided to don capes and tights to pretend to be Superhero’s... we’d be laughed at even more.

   “Hey, maybe she doesn’t even go to our school!” He says hopefully.

   I shake my head. “There’s only one high school here around here for miles. One. There’s no way she’s going anywhere else.” 

   “Yeah. Still, I can’t believe someone moved into that house. It’s been empty for... god knows how long.”

   “Since forever,” I shrug. “As long as I can remember anyway.”

   Before he can say anything a loud, wet snuffling becomes evident. Mollie. “Will you let her in for me?” I ask him.

   “You’re so lazy dude. Luckily I’m leaving anyway.”

   “You are?” I sit up a little more.

   He glances out the window, noting the darkening sky. “Yeah, it’s getting late now. It’s only three. Shouldn’t be so damn dark already.”

   I sigh. “Sure. See you Monday dude.”

   “See you.”

   A second after the door shuts, a cold wet nose is pressing into the palm of my hand. I look down into the sorrowful eyes of the blonde greyhound. I stroke my hand down her side. 

   “Hey girl,” I say comfortingly, patting the bed beside me. She hops up without further encouragement, settling down beside me, her head on my chest.

   I close my eyes feeling a wave of tiredness hit me. That’s what you get for staying up all night playing games. Will I ever learn? Hell no.

   When I stretch my arms out over my head, my fingers connect with a coolness that makes me jerk in response. When I sit up to look at what it is – my eyes land on the binoculars.

   I wet my lips, share a glance with Mollie. I feel my fingers itch. I know what I’m doing it wrong... but I can’t help it.

   I pick the binoculars up and point them in the direction of her window. Now, with the magnification, I can see clearly into her room.

   One wall, I notice instantly, is covered in paint, the image impossible to decipher. Her other walls are covered in photos and posters. I feel my eyes widen and a smile cross my face when I notice a few posters that cover my own walls as well.

   Then I take in the girl herself. Short red hair, large green eyes and freckles. Lots and lots of freckles. They don’t quite go with the cigarette hanging from between her red lips. 

   As I watch she grasps several still rolled up posters. Her face scrunches up as she spins around as if trying to find a spot to place the posters. Finally she shrugs and drops them to the ground, exhaling a loud puff of smoke before stubbing it out in a little ashtray.

   I feel my breath choke to a stop in my throat when she reaches down and unclips her dungarees, dropping them to her ankles. She's wearing black shorts beneath - if they can even be called shorts. She then lifts her shirt over her head in one movement. My throat feels dry as I struggle to swallow. For about ten seconds I stare, my mouth open as I take in the smooth paleness of her skin, the dips and curves, the splatters of freckles.

   Then, with a groan I throw the binoculars across the room, hearing them hit the wall with a satisfying thud. I lie back on my bed, close my eyes tight – the picture refuses to leave me. 

   It takes several attempts, but soon I’m once again in control of my breathing. When I open my eyes I see Mollie sitting up and staring at me. Just staring. 

   I feel my cheeks reddening and I push her away, standing and running my fingers through my hair, tugging at the strands.

   I almost regret my decision to glance back at the window – but then I realise she’s gone. Crap. What if she saw me? What if she’s now on her way over here to tell my parents? Crap, crap, crap, crap –

   Or not. I watch as she exits her backdoor, glancing around fugitively. Then, she walks out her garden and down the road. She pauses for a moment, runs her fingers through her hair as if contemplating on what to do next.

   Finally, with a shrug of the shoulders she turns right. If she had decided to go left, I doubt I would have followed her. In fact, I know I wouldn’t have.

   But as it is, she chose to go right. Right being where one of the most dangerous forests is. Teaming with big cats and wolves.