The house next door

Chapter 15

I could still feel the lingering presence around me, as I slowly made my way back to the bed where I left Hailey sitting.
Confused as I am, I decided to continue my conversation with her.

"Sigh, so where were we?"

Hailey: I just think we should find out what's in that house next.
Maybe it has something to do with Marcus.

"Why would you think that?"

"Oh my gosh Emily, clearly he's hiding something from you, from all of us in fact, something that he doesn't want us to find out. I just think we should begin there".

"Oh..ok so when should we go?" I whispered.

"We definitely have to go a day when he's out".

"And what about Jacob?".

"He could stay at my house".

I let out a breath of air, just thinking how frustrating this could get.

"Okay, lets do it" I replied.

~~
A couples hours passed, and Hailey and I finally decided to make our way downstairs.

"Who's hungry?" I yelled.

Me!! Marcus and Jacob responded in unison.

"Spending the day?" I asked.

"Can I?"

"Why not, I like your company".

Hailey and I decided to prepare a meal of baked chicken, baked potatoes and fresh salad with a glass of lemonade.

"Something smells good in here", said Marcus.

"Actually we're all done, can you call Jacob in please?".

~~
We sat down to eat in silence. I could feel the lingering stares from Marcus as he sat down opposite from me. Though I tried to ignore it, it started to become a bit overwhelming.

Hailey broke the silence, by asking Jacob if he wanted to hang with her brother on Saturday.

Jacob: really, that'll be great.

I could see Marcus's eyes glaring at Hailey's as she spoke to Jacob. Turning his head sternly in my direction, I quickly looked down into my plate and pretended I didn't see.

About 30 ministers after finishing our meal, we all decided to watch a movie.

Marcus and Jacob set up the movie, while Hailey and I prepared some popcorn for us to eat while watching the movie.

Hailey: do you think Marcus know what we're up to?

"I hope not, umm can we not talk about this right now? Spending time with Jacob is all I need right now."

Hailey: Yea sure.

We sauntered back to the living room, where we saw Marcus and Jacob sitting comfortably waiting for us.

"So what did y'all decided on?"

"Wrong turn 2", they said in unison.

"Ohhhh"

I quickly ran up to Marcus's room to grab two blankets. On my way into his room, I heard a loud creek coming from the flooring. I turnt around realizing that there was a loose wood. I knelt down to discover what it was when I suddenly heard a deep voice.

"You getting through?"

"Gasp, Marcus u scared me".
"Umm Yh I was just looking for ring, I think it slip off my finger".

He stared straight at me with a stern look on his face covering it with a smile, he quickly said, "I'll help you then".

"No it's ok we should get back to the movie".

I scurried our the room, Marcus following behind me.

Hailey: what took y'all so long?

"Nothing! Let's just start the movie yeah.

~~
We were already 30 minutes into the movie and I could see Jacob covering his face. A giggle escaped my lips as looked at him.

Hailey: Urghh the popcorn is already finish.

" let's go make some more then, Marcus can you pause the movie please.

Marcus: hurry back, it's getting intense.

"Haha, sure".

Hailey and I quickly put on a pot with oil and added in a piece of butter. We then placed the popcorn in it and within seconds you can already here it popping.

We got 4 cups and filled it with soft drink while waiting for the popcorn to finish.

After the popcorn finished popped, we quickly placed it in a bowl and went into the living room to continue our movie.

~~
During the movie, I could hear gasp, screams and a lot "run run run" coming from Hailey, Jacob and even Marcus.
I must say it's nice seeing Jacob happy.

An hour and a half has passed and the movie was finally over. I checked my phone and it was already 6:30pm.

Hailey: I should get going.

"Sure, later, reach safe.

Hailey: bye guys.

"Okay that was a really scary movie" Jacob pronounced.

I let out a light giggle and told him it was time for a bathe. As he made his way upstairs, I kept watching him as he disappeared, leaving Marcus and I alone in the living room.

"Soo".

"Soo".

I didn't really can't thank you enough for allowing Jacob and I to stay here this long.

He smiled and said, " you're my girlfriend so it's okay".

Laughing lightly, I thought to myself, is that word even accurate anymore. I mean... "am I really his girlfriend still?" I questioned.

"I'm gonna head upstairs to take a shower myself".

"Can I join?". He said with a smirk.

"Ehh, I'm really tired Soo.."

"It's ok. I'm just going out for a bit then".

"Sure. Be safe".

And with that he left. I peeked through the window to see him getting into his car and driving off. I contemplated if to go back into his room to see what was in his flooring.

Before I know it, I was already on my way to his room. I opened up the flooring and saw a brown box covered in dust and cup webs. I picked up the box dusting it off .

As I slowly opened the box, I saw pictures of a family standing outside of a house. Though it looked familiar I couldn't remember where I know this place from considering it was pretty new.

Flipping through the pictures, I heard the sound of the front door opened, panicking, I quickly put the pictures back into the box and placing the flooring board back where it belongs.

As I quickly tried to exit Marcus's room. I could see a figure already approaching.

"Gasppp".