THE DARKNESS IN PERFECTION

CHAPTER 2: ROSE

[1 Week After Moving In]

Adam wakes up to their alarm clock. "Honey, wake up" he wakes Eve as he turns the alarm off. Eve stretches and pulls Adam in for a morning kiss. "Good dream?" Adam asks. "How did you know?" Eve responds. Adam gets out of the bed to get ready for a shower. "Usually you'd hit me for waking you up" he said then went in the shower. Eve smiled at Adams remarks. She lay her head for a bit. 'What should I do today?' she thought. She realises ever since moving out of Adams parents home, she gets bored. Mainly because there was nobody nagging at her, she likes it but it's kind of boring. She took her phone to text Jasmine. "Where is that girl?" she questioned. Ever since they moved to Brighton Avenue, Jasmine never called or texted. Its like she just, disappeared. She shrugs the goosebumps off and walks to Alex's room.

"Alex sweetie, wake up" she said while pushing his room door. Alex wakes as his mom opens the shade, bringing in the bright sunlight. He grunts and yawns, then started stretching like a cat. "Stop playing games. You'll rot your eyes" Eve said noticing the Nintendo beside his pillow.

"Mom. Can I have eggs and bacon for breakfast?" Alex ask.

"Depends, if you can shower fast enough" Eve said pointing to the shower then left his room.

Eve went back to her bedroom to check her phone and notices a text from Jasmine.

"Hey. I'm sorry. I'm very busy. I wont be replying any text or calls any time soon. Sorry" she reads the text. Eve was confused. She wasn't sure whether Jasmine being busy is a good thing or something to worry about. "You okay?" Adam asked, stepping out of the shower. "Yeah" she replied. "Just. Jasmine was ghosting me for a week and I was worried. And suddenly she texted saying she's been busy" she adds. "She probably got a job or maybe her relationship with that Eric guy didn't go well" Adam thought. "That wouldn't make sense. I know Jasmine, if she goes through a break up or anything, she'll call me. We meet every morning before this" Eve said more concerning than she thought. Adam took a while to respond. Then he continues, "Why not make friends with the neighbors? I noticed them watching us when we first moved in. They might be curious about us. Go make a good first impression. Plus, Jasmine is kind of toxic if you think about it". Eve glares at Adam for a while. "She's still my friend" she said. She got out of the room to prepare Alex's eggs and bacon to forget about Jasmine.

[That Afternoon]

Eve was painting in the backyard. The backyard gives out so much inspiration, so she decided to paint it. Despite trying to focus on her painting, she can't seem to stop worrying about Jasmine. She checks her phone from time to time, wondering if Jasmine would call or text. But she realizes that Jasmine had blocked her number. At that moment, she just stares at her painting. "This is so not it" she said then left the backyard, leaving her canvas. She got inside the house and decided to cook muffins to give out to neighbors. She opens the cabinets and realizes she doesn't have any ingredients to bake. She gave up baking cakes. "You know what. Yeah. I'll just visit them, I dont need to bring gifts. Just gotta be myself" she said to herself. She changed to some casual t-shirt and jeans then went to the neighbor's house.

She rings the house on the right of hers. Oddly, nobody answered the door. She tried ringing again, but yet nobody answered. As she was about to leave the porch, she hears glass breaking sound. A bit curious, she went to the window to see from the outside. There was nobody there. She took a long peek in the house, admiring the interior. "They must've hired a designer for this" she said to herself. After she's done, she gets off the porch and went to the house in front of it. Before she could even ring the doorbell, the door opens making Eve jump a little out of fear. "Oh hey, sorry. I was just... Hi, my name is Eve. My family and I just moved in last week" she said. The lady in front of her, looks at Eve up and down before asking if she'd want some tea. Eve gladly accepts and enters the house. The house was cold, and the interior design was simple and modest. "Sit" the lady insist and she took a seat. Eve can't help but feel some sort of tension and awkwardness in the atmosphere. She looked around once more, scanning the house. "I like your house" Eve compliments. "Don't lie" the lady said then left the living room. "I didnt mean – I mean, no I love your house" Eve said nervously. She lets out a sigh. "What is wrong with me?" she said to herself.