UltraViolet

Chapter 9

There was something going on with my brother and the boys but I don't know how to explain it.

It started a couple of days ago.

My chest was heaving up and down as I pushed through the last couple of paces, up the driveway and through the front door. It had been a warm day today which had made my run even more of a struggle.

I slammed the door behind me, maybe a little too forcefully as I still had my music pounding in my ears. The loud noise made multiple heads turn to look at me from the living room.

'Hey pumpkin.' Dad called from his place on the sofa.
'How was your run?'

'It was good thanks.' I managed to say through laboured breathing.
'You'll be pleased to know I got caught by Flanders on the way back though.'

So we all have that one neighbour don't we? The one that likes to get in everyone's business and practically runs outside when they see someone they can talk to. You know, your local neighbourhood watch/curtain twitcher.

I normally feel bad for these people, I mean they must be lonely right? If a quick conversation with me makes their day better then I'm not going to be an asshole and ignore them. So you get it, normally I don't mind.

But we have this one neighbour. He's earnt the nickname Flanders, like the character from the Simpson's. Mainly because no matter how hard you try to be nice he's just so damn annoying.

Dad grimaced.
'How did it go?'

I groaned, partly out of frustration and part out of the ache shooting from my muscles as I leant my hands on the back of the sofa.

'Well you know what it's like. There's only so long that I can pretend to be interested in grass and ten minutes... is far too long.'

Jacob laughed.
'Well that's what you get for being away all summer. You have to have a few more conversations with him to make up for all the ones Dad and I had to suffer over the summer.'

'I'm good thanks.'
I glanced over at the other guys to see them all just staring weirdly at me.
'What?'

A little too quickly Luke answered.
'Nothing.'
He looked back at the tv screen but I could see him side eyeing me.

I glanced down at myself. I was wearing black gym leggings and a turquoise sports tank top. It wasn't like I had my boobs out or anything.

Moving past Luke I focused on the other two.  
Dylan was ignoring me but Zac was still staring. I raised an eyebrow but he just shrugged and gave me a smirk. God and boys say girls are hard to read.

'Come on Dylan, any guesses?'

Dylan sighed and finally met my eyes again.
'Abbey. Wait! No Sophie. No actually, Abbey, definitely abbey.'

'Wow, that was a rollercoaster. And no by the way. Not even close.' I shook my head in disappointment.

Dad watched us both, amused by our interaction.
'Still trying to remember that girls name?'

Dylan ignored the question but the sulking look on his face was enough of an answer.

...

The next day Zac picked Jacob and I up for school. Dylan and Luke were also getting a lift so lucky me, being the smallest I had to squeeze into the middle seat. Sense the sarcasm? Luke and Dylan were muscley boys so I was practically on their laps. Although the complaints only seemed to come from me...funny that.

Unfortunately if I thought I'd get a nice relaxing car journey I was mistaken. It was 8:15 in the morning yet Jacob decided he wanted to play the Red Hot Chili Peppers on at full volume.