The Boy Nextdoor

I woke up on the couch with my mom stroking my hair smoothly. I looked around me and confirmed that I was in the living room, oops! and I was still putting on the clothes from last night. I checked the time on the wall clock and saw it was already a bit late, 10:29 a.m. for how long have I been asleep?

I was supposed to go to the grocery store today.

" Mom,"

I calmly called as I struggled to sit on the couch still feeling a bit sleepy.

" Good morning sweetie,"

Her voice brightened when she spole. As melodious as it should be. I looked up at her, her smile giving joy to my heart.

" You seem happy,"

I told her and approached her then threw a hug around her while she patted my head lightly.

" Why did you sleep all in black? Still mourning your sister in your dreams? I understand how painful this is Scarlett but we shouldn't let this be an obstruction to our future, okay?"

" Of course mom,"

I gave her a small smile hoping she wouldn't go further, I didn't want her invading into it because invading into this could lead to other questions which could eventually lead to a question that would make me spill out the whole truth.

Recalling my adventure last night, I drew away from mom and quickly got off the couch.

" I better go prepare to go to the grocery store,"

" Don't flatter yourself, Max and I are coming with you. He's in the shower already and that reminds me, we'll be going to pay a visit to the new neighbors next door. They actually paid their respect yesterday while you were in your room bawling your eyes out,"

She said making her way to the kitchen.

" I already made pancakes. I just need to make some sauce and I'll be done,"

Hold on! Did...did I hear my mom correctly? Did she just say we would be visiting the neighbors next door? The one with Ralph in it! Oh my God! I couldn't even stand the sight of him anymore, not after what I saw yesterday. Basically, he was working with some bad guys and ironically his dad doesn't know about it, I was sure his sister doesn't know about this too or maybe they were just being ignorant. I had always wondered if he had a mother because from the look of things, no woman or lady except his sister was living with them.

After brushing my teeth and taking a shower. I slipped into a wide short gown which stopped just above my knees. I let loose my short hair which stopped right at my neck. My dress was complete with my favorite black barbie sneakers.

I took my purse and slowly made my way downstairs where I heard movements and talks from my mom ordering Max to seal up the packed pancakes.

" Scarlett, hurry up,"

My mom's sudden scream nearly threw me off balance. I recollected myself and finally made it down the stairs to meet them coming out of the kitchen with Max holding the pancakes.

" Let's go,"

We all stepped outside, Max and I waiting for mom to start up the crazy car which only polluted the air with its choking smell, I coughed and sneezed at once really disturbed by the smoke. It took a lot of time before mom got out of the car when she was sure the engine was warmed and okay.

Taking one careful step and another...slowly, until I was left behind mom and Max. My fear arising once again, reminding me of the ridiculous act I had pulled out yesterday. The mysterious handsome man I had met and all sorts of people I had seen, the situation I had encountered and my life nearly at its end.

All these happened in one night, if mom knew about this, I swear she would have had me squeezed in her palms.

The soft knock on the door summoned my attention back to reality, making me realize we were already standing at the neighbor's door. My heart accelerated and I even began to feel hot despite the chilling weather.

It wasn't like he saw me yesterday or something and even if he did, he wouldn't recognize me...he shouldn't even recognize me, at least for my sake.

" Mrs Brooks, what a pleasant surprise. I'm happy you're doing okay,"

The man who appeared to be in his fifties open up to my mom and they both pull into a short embrace.

" How are you fairing? Please do come in,"

With a sigh, I got into the house after they had all gotten inside. The thing or perhaps the first person my gaze fell at is his son, Ralph! Geez!

He was seated on the couch, with his headphones over his head, a game pad in his hand which he used to play the video game that displayed on the large television on the wall.

The decor of the house was quite impressive, a flower at each corner, a small rounded table at the center of the room. The walls were painted in green and white, the ceiling also pure white with a normal dropping bulb.

" This is my son, Raphael,"

"...Oh shit! I think she's a better baddie bitch than the other squirrel you got, Thompson."

First time impression, great! It's a second impression for me though.

" You naughty kid,"

Mr Blake, the name of his father, annoyingly pulled off the headphone Ralph had over his head.

" Hey, hey, hey, dad!"

The bitter expression on his face told more than he could say. When he sighted us, his expression softened and he took a deep breath before getting up from the lounge.

" Now you made me lose my game for the hundredth time today,"

" You should at least say hello to our visitors, stop being a brat for once and pretend to be a well mannered child,"

Ouch! That hurt really bad. Ralph said nothing, he simply threw his pad on the lounge before making his way to the stairs.

" I'll be in my room, call me if you need anything,"

Mr Blake heaved a sigh and sat next to mom. He apologetically looked at us and forced a thin smile.

" I'm sorry about that,"

My mom shook her head and laughed even though I knew she didn't find it funny.

" It's okay, it's a common behavior in kids this days, especially the male one,"

She playfully nudged Max who tiredly rolled his eyes.

" You wouldn't understand even if I told you. My son is worse than you can ever imagine. He's been corrupted by his friends and even when I try to talk him out of his bad behavior, he simply shrug it off like all I'm telling him are nothing but gibberish,"

I could hear the pain in his voice, almost as if he would cry any time from now. I totally understood how he felt. With what I had seen, I knew the kind of person Ralph would be.

" Well, the only responsible one is my daughter but she's not home now so I'm stuck here with that trash of a son... thank you for coming, you don't know how relieved I am,"

Mr Blake deeply exhaled as if he was lost in thoughts, the mood in the atmosphere became tense and quiet, kind of ridiculous too.

" I...I could speak to him if you don't mind, Mr Blake,"

And there went my babbling mouth. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my two incredible families glancing at me with the purest shocking expression I had never seen. Mr Blake also seemed taken aback but he also seem to conceal his shock as he cleared his mucus throat while I sit there with astonishment, surprised by my attitude. Perhaps, this was my curiosity part.

" I'll appreciate that, I mean... that's if he'll even listen,"

" I don't really think it's a good idea Scarlett,"

Max stepped in, a slight hint of concern reflecting in his voice. I gaze at him, a thin smile forming on my lips.

" It's okay!..." I stood up.

" His room is upstairs by the left. You should knock before getting in, he actually doesn't like people,"

He sure doesn't like people because he was a heartless monster who sneaks out at night to do deals with some bad guys.

I got to his room, my palm itching to just pull the door open to see how he'd react but then it wouldn't be nice if I ended up being his next target. The dread thoughts of yesterday's adventure sent shivers of fears through me.

Taking a deep breath, I place a knock on the door and before receiving a reply, I made my way in.

" What the fuck..."

Taking in the sight in front of me, my eyes went wide in shock with what I saw. Ralph was seated on his large bed, a packet of cigarettes seated next to him while a burning cigar in between his fingers.

He glared at me puffing out the smoke.

" The fucking audacity my dad had to let you come here,"

I gulped, surprise momentarily rendering me immobile.

" I..."

" Don't even think about it," He got on his feet, trotting towards me.

" Get the your filthy body out of my room,"

His plain blackish yet somehow cat eyes diverted from my face and roamed down my body, as if trying to inspect me, making me feel so uncomfortable and a bit insecure.

Well, I had always had insecurities about my so-called beauty, with acnes all over my face, my short hair, spotty skin, I certainly didn't consider all of that as beautiful.

" Not bad for a girl like you,"

" Excuse me?"

He smirked at me, fixing the cigar behind his ear.

" Would you like me to proceed or would you like to take your leave now?"

His brows rose with seriousness and fury. Two options for me but I guess the second one will do. I turned away and walked out of the room, the loud banging of the door did no justice to calm me down. I head back to the living room finding that Mr Blake and my mom were both into a world of their own. Max was obviously getting bored by all of this.

" He didn't even let me try,"

I dryly said making sure my disappointed expression is quite obvious.

Mr Blake sighed with a nod of his head. Minutes later and we headed back to our domain, sitting our butts inside the crazy car that mom struggled to get the engine to function.

We arrived at the grocery store in no time and bought some items that I was sure could last us for a while.

After all the small shopping, we retired to the car, mom and Max getting in while I walked over to the booth and arranged some of the items we bought since it kind of made me uncomfortable when I tried to sit in the car.

Shutting the booth close and wary of my steps towards the back seat, my gaze unconsciously moved around the less busy town until it stopped right at those familiar eyes.

Those grayish eyes that stared at me with such intensity.

I blinked rapidly, trying to process the unbelievable sight in front of me. Is that...

Jones!