Crossing the line

Chapter 1

     'WILL YOU really do this?' Matt shouted from the kitchen as I made myself comfortable on his couch.

     'I know, right?' I couldn't help the smile appearing on my face. 'I can't believe Mrs. Murray really wants me for that!'

     He passed me an opened bottle of Lemon Soda and launched himself near me.

     'That's great news, Audrey,' he said. I took a sip of the cold, bitter-sweet drink he gave me and I shook my head.

     'For real. But what will  you do?'  His light-green eyes turned at me, and Matt gave me a confused look. I sighed. 'I know about Carly.'

     He drank all of his Soda in one move and messed up his sandy-blonde hair. 'Do you wanna talk or something?' I asked. He shook his head.

     'There's nothing to talk about.'

     I smirked a little. 'I think you need to talk.'

     'I don't.'

     'Matt,' I said, and he looked at me as he got up from the couch. 'How long have we been friends?' He refused to answer, but I knew by the look in his eyes that the number came to his mind. 'Exactly.'

     'OK,' he sighed, 'Maybe you're right.'

     'Of course I am.'

     'But I still don't want to talk about it.'

     Something screamed in me: don't let him get away with this! But what came out of my mouth was, 'Fine. Maybe some time later.'

     The next day we were heading straight to Murray family's house. Matt asked me if I needed a ride after our little talk about his ex-girlfriend and how I had no reason to refuse, I said I do. I could find the address by myself since I've been there before, but Matt's car is way more comfortable than a bus chair.

     'Are you nervous?' I bit my lip, approving. 'Don't worry,' he said, entering the end of the street, 'and trust your instincts. You'll love the house.'

     'I don't think the house is the problem,' I said, agitated. I kept playing with my fingers. 'What if-'

     'DON'T start a sentence with that. It'll be fine. You'll see.'

     I moved my eyes on the street as the house appeared and we were getting closer and closer. My hands were freezing and I thought I forgot how to breathe for a few seconds, especially when Matt pulled the car over and dragged me out. 'I said, don't worry.'

     'And I didn't say I agree to be un-worried,' I replied, looking at him with wide eyes. He practically pushed me in front of the door.

     'It'll be fine.'

     He knocked for me and I couldn't stop him. Someone had to do that, anyway. I waited quietly beside him and ignored all of his encouraging looks while Mrs. Murray opened the door.

     The first thing I saw was a big, large smile rising on her face and then she hugged me and invited us in.

     'I'm so glad you want to do that, ' she said, her voice sounding happier than ever. I forced a smile.

     'Thank you for having me.' 

     'Let me show you the area you'll be working on', she offered, then start walking and Matt pushed me from behind.

     'I'll be upstairs', he said. 'Text me if you need me.'

     All I could do was approving and following Mrs. Murray along the hall. Matthew is more familiar with this place than I am. And why would not be? He and Sean, Mrs. Murray's younger son are of the same age and have many classes together. Plus, they're both in the soccer team.

     I think I saw him once. I remember that it was the beginning of December and nearly three-quarters of high school had come on the soccer field for the found raiser. The soccer team and the cheerleaders maintained the atmosphere pretty good at that time, making a lot of money, so the party for the winter solstice was huge.

     I remember Sean jerking around, but it was a long time ago – I wouldn't even have thought of him anymore if I did not ride now through his house.

     'First of all, I want you to arrange the garden,' I heard Mrs. Murray's voice, as we crossed out.

     I shook my head as approval. I didn't know exactly why Mrs. Murray wanted all these changes; except for the disordered look of the garden in the backyard, everything looked pretty good. The exterior of the house had been well maintained, just like the interior. The furniture was tastefully selected. It all matched perfectly.

     'I know there is too little time and there are many things to do. So feel free to refuse if you think you can't handle it.'

     'Surely I can handle it,' I said, confidently.

     By the way her eyes sparkled, I knew that my answer was exactly what she wanted to hear.

     'All right then,' she smiled, obviously happy. 'When do you want to start?'

     I pulled my phone out of my pocket and opened the camera.

     'Tomorrow. But I'd like to take some photos first – with your permision, of course. This way I can sketch the garden in my notebook for adding the things I'd like to put there before we buy them.'

     'Sure, ' she said, fluttering her hand as a ''whatever''. 'Do whatever it takes to ease your work. '

     'Thank you, ' I replied, then turned around to take photos of the entire space. Their garden is huge. It has lots and lots of good places to grow flowers or trees on, but instead of that, they chose to leave it empty and charmless. The grass is too long and it tickles my ankles when I walk, but I try to concentrate and make sure I caught everything on my phone before Mrs. Murray walked me back in the house.

     'So. When do you think it's ready?'

     'Umm,' I hesitated, 'I'm not sure. Do you have a deadline for me?'

     Mrs. Murray shook her head, looking concerned. 'I want it ready in a maximum of three weeks. Is this enough for you?'

     Three weeks? That's plenty of time. I will definitely be done until then.

     This time I approved without any reservation.

     'It is perfect, Mrs. Murray. You can count on me!'

     She smiled brightly. 'Great! Now let me show you how I picture it in my mind.'

  As soon as I finally got home I started to sketch the pictures I made in the Murray family's garden. I wasn't tired at all. The only thing I could think of was the immense garden I was supposed to work on and how to meet all the requirements that Mrs. Murray gave me.

     Apparently there will be an engagement in three weeks.

     I tried my best in drawing their backyard in my sketchbook as my phone rang, deleting the photo from the screen.

     'I heard you got the job, ' Kai's voice echoed in the speaker as soon as I answered the call. 'Congratulations!'

     I knew Kai before I met Matt. He's a brown-eyed player, with black hair and a smile that makes you melt right away. He was one of my friends boyfriend when I met him, and we remained pals even if their relationship didn't work. His full name is Kailas, but he hates it, so everyone calls him Kai.

     We've never been too close, but since Matt and I have become classmates in the 10th grade, things have begun to change.

     I laughed, surprised.

     'Look who's up with the gossip. Thank you, Kai!'

     I could feel him smile.

     'I suppose if you know that, Matt got home.', I added. Kai and Matt are cousins of I-don't-really-know what degree and when his parents were transferred to another department – they work for the police – he came to live with him.

     'He did, actually.' His voice sounded amused. 'And I can not help but notice that his enthusiasm is bigger than yours. Aren't you glad?'

     'Of course I am,' I said, frowning. 'Why would you think I'm not?'

     Kai laughed, then said 'Your voice. It sounds like you're more bored than excited.'

     'Well that's because I am bored,' I admitted. 'Everything I did for the last half hour is to sketch a garden that needs to be arranged and think, I'm soo surprised my brain isn't burned already.'

     'How much time do you have to finish?'

     'Three weeks is the deadline,' I said, as I got up from the desk and launched myseld in my bed. Kai puffed, resentful.

     'And you already started working? Girl, it's just the first day. You have a lot of time at your disposal to do it all!'

     'I know,' I sighed. 'It's just...I really want everything to go out well.'

     'And it will,' he encouraged me. 'But you don't have to push yourself this hard from the first day.'

     I don't. I know I don't, and I know he's right about me needing to be in shape so I can organize everything well, because fatigue will not help me. But I will never admit it.

     Seeing that I didn't answer, Kai sighed and speaked again, in a low tone.

     'Listen to me, Audrey. Take a break.'

     This time I accepted. 'I will.'

     So I left all the stuff on my desk and I made myself comfortable on the bed, wrapped in the blanket and continued to talk to Kai until we both fell asleep.