The House of Smoke and Nightmares

Chapter Two: The blooming of a friendship

“What happened?” Diane asked. She was equally astounded, but for a different reason. “Did you find your phone? I have been waiting for thirty minutes. I thought something happened to you.”

“I…”Fred said and turned in the direction where he had seen Diane earlier and there was no one there. “I found it. You, you…”

“You what?” Diane became even more anxious.

“Nothing. Why were you running?”

“I thought something had happened to you.” Diane spoke in worried tone. Fred took her into an embrace and sunk his head down her neck, smelling the sweet fragrance of the Cocoa butter on her skin.

“It is okay. I am fine. Nothing happened…” He said while looking around frantically.. Diane nodded and rested her head on his chest. It felt so soothing.

 ***

Back in her room, Diane chortled merrily as she recalled her conversation with Fred. He was picky and proud like she thought he was. After all, he would not have been rescuing her from the bullies in her class if he was a self -absorbed.

“He wants to get to know me better.” Diane chirped, burying her head down in the pillow. This time she made sure she had secured her glasses, keeping them in the pouch.

“Diane!” Irene called her.

“Yes, mum.”

“It is time for dinner, honey.”

“I am coming.” Diane said.

Meanwhile, Fred was also thinking about Diane when his mother called him to the dining hall for dinner too.

“So, how was school, Mr. Terry?” his mother Freda asked.

“School was great, mum. We have an architectural project at the moment.” 

“That is good. What about you, Marina?”

“School was okay, although our teacher is boring.” Marina sulked.

“Do not focus on the teacher, Angel.” Brad Terry, their father said. the man was a psycho- social analyst at NBCI.

“You will not progress if you focus on the boring teacher.” He went on.

“Your dad is right. You need to focus on what he is teaching.” Freda agreed.

“I know but Accounts isn’t for me, Mum. I want to be a doctor like you.” Marina said.

“Alright. If you do well in Science, we will consider a change for your major subjects then.” Brad told her.

“What about you, Fred? Are you alright with Architecture, Math and Science?” Brad asked his son.

“All good.” Fred agreed.

“Fred had a genius for a girlfriend. Why wouldn’t he be alright with the subjects?”

“Chloe is not into sciences. Her mother told me that she wants to be a News Anchor.” Freda commented.

“Not her, mum. There is a new one. She lives across the street” Marina retorted making her brother chock on his food. Brad and Freda laughed.

“You mean Mrs. Krauss’ daughter, Diane? My son is officially a player.” Brad remarked and laughed again.

“Honey, stop talking nonsense and give him some water.” Freda chipped in.

“We are just friend.” Fred defended himself.

“Don’t lie to them, Freddie.” Marina spoke in a chortling intonation making everyone laugh.

“I know Diane is a good girl but you can’t have two girlfriends at the same time.” Brad advised his son. “You better choose one.”

“I vote for Chloe. She is a friend’s daughter.” Freda said.

“You are being bias, honey.”

“But she is my choice.”

“Diane is my choice.” Brad said.

“Diane is my choice too.” Marina said.

“It is two against one.” Brad chirped.

“Don’t get too excited. The final decision is up to Fred.” Freda told them

“Fred, you tell us when you make a decision.” Brad said patting his son’s back

***

A sudden harmattan wind blew vehemently, disturbing the neighbourhood of Foxdale. Diane was tossing around in her bed, feeling restless. The grotesque shadows of swaying trees pervaded her window, instilling fear in her already frightened mind. She wondered how a beautiful and peaceful night had turned so violent in the shortest period of time. Was it a sign of a bad omen? She wondered to herself and turned to the window which was shaking vehemently. Suddenly, she saw a figure of a girl standing erect by her window. The girl had a fringe just like hers and although it was dark, Diane could see that she was wearing familiar attire; it could have been a school uniform but Diane was not sure so, she peered at the window in dark, trying to make sense of what she was seeing but it was too dark to ascertain whether it was an illusion or not. After rubbing her eyes, Diane peered back at her window and there was nothing. Diane recoiled and reaching for her bedside lamp, switching it on immediately.

Apart from her the room was devoid of a living soul making her wonder whether she was seeing things or not.

“Perhaps I should be sleeping with my glasses on.” She muttered to herself and lay back on her bed. The wind stopped blowing violently and there was some peace and quietness at last.

Diane woke up early in the morning and went out for a jog at the park. She was half way the track when she felt someone running behind her. Still disturbed by what she saw at night, Diane stopped nervously and turned to see who it was.

“It is you.” she chirped as her eyes fell on Fred.

“Did I scare you again?” Fred asked, chortling merrily.

“No.” Diane lied and took a seat on the turf. “Do you come here often?”

“No.” Fred chortled and sat down beside Diane. “I saw you through my bedroom window and decided to follow you.”

“Are you a stalker now?” Diane said and laughed.

“I have a confession to make.” Fred said.

“What is it?”

“I have always been spying on you through my bedroom window for a long time now.”

“That makes the two of us.” Diane retorted and they both laughed.

“I wonder why we stayed away from each other when it is clear we like each other.” Fred remarked.

“I wonder about the same thing too.” Diane replied with a subtle smile.

“We should spend more time together. Perhaps our friendship will grow stronger.”

“That is a good idea.”

“Really? Then we can start today.” Fred chirped.

“What do mean?”

“Chloe’s friend Patrice is having a party tonight. We should go together.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Why not?” Fred looked disappointed.

“I can’t go. I would not even dare of attending the parties you go to.”

“Is this about status and class again? Diane you live in Foxdale, own a car and have everything you could ever dream of, so, why do you belittle your status and class?”

“It is not about status or class?” Diane answered reflectively. “I just don’t look the part.”

“I love the way you look, Diane. It suits you perfectly. I doubt if I would like you if you changed and started copying this party girls around.”

“Your words are soothing to the ear.”

“And your voice is lovely to listen to.” Fred said.

“I see you have mastered the poem the teacher gave us.”

“It was easy to master it.”

“You are just as smart as I am but no one notices it.”

“I try, Diane, but it is no joke that you are the most intelligent at our school. In fact, you have always been that way since kindergarten.”

“I thought you had forgotten about that.”

“There are so many things I can forget but not you.” Fred remarked in a tender voice. Diane blushed.

“Now I understand why girls like you.”

“And why do girls like me?”

“Your charisma is irresistible.”

“Does that mean you have also been captivated?” Fred asked. Diane wanted to confess her love for him but she changed her mind as she felt it was improper to confess love to a boy.

“It’s supposed to be the other way around.” her inner voice pounded, cautioning her against it.

“I asked you a question, Diane.”

“We should run another lap.” Diane said, getting on the track.

***

 “Diane, get the door!” Irene shouted from the shower room. The doorbell had ringed twice now.

“Alright, mum.” Diane said as she walked to the door and slowly opened it.

“Hi!” Fred chirped and held a bouquet of flowers in her face. “For you.”

“Thank you, but what is the occasion.” Diane said, looking a little shocked.

“I have come to take you to the party.”

“I told you I can’t go.” Diane said, pouting.

“But I want you to go with me.” Fred said, mimicking her. Diane laughed and asked him to come into the house.

“My mother will not allow me to go with you anyway.” Diane said as she offered Fred a seat.

“What won’t I allow you to do?” Irene asked as she walked into the lounge.

“Mum, you are soaking wet.” Diane blurted.

“I am sorry, I had to come and see who had visited us at this hour.” Irene said. “It turns out it is Fred Terry; our beloved neighbour.”

“I am attending a friend’s party and I thought of taking Diane along with me, but she said you will not allow her to go out with me.” Fred said.

“She is just being paranoid. The girl is always indoors that I worry she will be lonely for the rest of her life. I am happy that the two of you are friends now.” Irene chirped.

“All thanks to our school project.” Fred said and chuckled. “So do I have your permission to take her out, Mrs. Krauss?”

“Of course you do. Just make sure you are both back before 10 o’clock.” Irene responded warmly.

“I will go and change now.” Diane said and ran upstairs to her room.

“Look at her. She is so excited.” Irene chirped. Fred chortled as his gaze shifted t the floor. It was wet because of the water dripping down Mrs. Krauss’s gown.

“You should go and finish up, Mrs. Krauss.” Fred said.

“Oh yeah you are right. I will call Bea to come and mop the floor” Irene said and walked away immediately.

The party house was filled that it was hard to spot anyone but Chloe and her two friends managed to find Fred and Diane and approached them.

“This is Diane.” Fred introduced even though the three girls already knew her.

“Hi.” Cloe chirped and hugged Diane flustered her. Meanwhile, Marble and Patrice just stared with disdain.

“I wonder why Fred came with her.” Marble whispered into Patrice’s ear.

“Yes, me too. She is a party pauper you see. She is going to wreck my party.” Patrice replied in a much lower tone.

“Anyhow, this is your chance to snatch Fred away from Chloe.” Marble whispered with a smirk.

“You are right. Do you have what I asked for?”

“I would never disappoint you.” Marble said and took something out of her bra. It was a small vial and inside it was a bluish substance. Patrice hid it in her hand and excused herself.

“Diane, don’t be nervous. We are all friends here, right Marble?” Chloe said.

“Yes Chloe is right.” Marble readily agreed.

“Thank you.” Diane said.

“Chloe, Diane. You two should take a sit. I will go some drinks for you two.” Fred offered.

“I will help you out.” Marble said.

“Alright, thank you.” Chloe said and took Diane’s hand as soon as Fred left

“Let go of me. I am your rival.” Diane’s inner voice pounded as Chloe led her to a nearby sofa.

“Let us sit here. They will be back soon.” Chloe remarked smilingly, forcing Diane to smile. After a while of waiting, Chloe stood up anxiously.

“Where are you going?” Diane asked nervously.

“Just relax. I will go and see what is taking them so long.” Chloe said.

“Gosh, am I a babysitter now?” Her inner voice pounded as she walked away and just then, Patrice arrived with a tray loaded with five glasses of juice.

“This is for you.” she said, handing a glass to Diane.

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Where are Fred, Marble and Chloe?”

“Chloe has gone to look for Fred and Marble in the kitchen.” Diane replied.

“Oh okay. Thanks.” Patrice answered and sat down, waiting for them to return. Suddenly, Chloe came back looking upset. She grabbed the nearest glass of juice and gulped it down. Patrice stood up to stop her but it was too late as the glass was empty.

“I made this especially for Fred.” Patrice pouted.

“You made this for Fred. Tell me; are you also after him just like Marble?

“What? You mean Marble-

“Yes. I saw her shamelessly throwing herself at him. Luckily, he jerked away. Are you also trying to steal Fred away from me, Patrice?”

“No, no.” Patrice stammered as she grabbed the cup away from Chloe. “Please come and sit down. I will go and check what the matter is.”

Chloe agreed and took a set. Diane watched them silently. Patrice left immediately after whispering something into Chloe’s ear. Suddenly, Chloe began to feel dizzy.

“My head is spinning around.” she said.

“Should I go and find Fred for you?”

“Yes.”

Okay.” Diane said and dashed in the direction that Patrice had gone to. She later came back with Fred and her twos friends. They both looked angry and disappointed. Fred carried Chloe in his arms and took her to Patrice’s room to lie down.

“Did you take anything?

“No.” Patrice lied

“She gulped down a glass of juice which Patrice prepared for you.” Diane confessed. Fred looked at Patrice suspiciously and turned to his girlfriend. 

“The juice was obviously drugged.” Fred commented. “You had better keep her here until morning. You will surely get in trouble with her parents if they find out about this.”

“The juice was not meant for you, Fred. Diane is mistaken.” Patrice said and gave me the evil eye.

“Fred, I want to go home now.” Diane said, feeling uncomfortable.

“Yes, sure. Let’s go.” Fred agreed and took Diane’s hand. “Call me when she works up tomorrow and do not forget to inform Aunt Betty that she is staying over.”

“Alright Fred.” Patrice answered disinterestedly and turned to Marble with anger. “You lying and conniving fool. You ruined my plans. Leave my house now.”

“I will not ever come back.” Marble said and left angrily.

In his car, Fred stole glances at Diane as he drove them back home. Her silence was killing him immensely but he had no way to express it to Diane. Suddenly, Diane spoke first and broke the silence.

“How well do you know Patrice and Marble?’

“To be honest, I don’t trust them. I think they crush on me secretly.”

“Both of them?”

“Yes and I wonder why considering I am dating their friend.” Fred remarked naively.

“I don’t blame them. You are a good catch after all.”

“You mean that?” Fred slowed down and turned to look at her.

“Focus on the road.” Diane said.

“First answer me.”

“I will answer you if you take your eyes off me and drive.” Diane retorted

“You are stubborn but I am equally stubborn.” Fred said, still looking at her. Diane suddenly screeched, making Fred come to an abrupt stop and they both hit their heads; one on the wheel and the other on the dashboard. Fred clasped his forehead. It was bleeding but he rather turned to see how Diane was doing.

“Are you alright?” He asked her. Diane leaned back on her seat and nodded even though the world was spinning in her eyes.

“We should stay out here for a while and recuperate.” Fred said and adjusted her seat backwards so that she could be in a slouching position.

“I am sorry, Fred. I saw someone in front of us. I thought you were going to hit her with the car.” Diane explained. Fred nodded and caressed her face.

“It is okay.” he said and looked ahead. “But there is no sign of the person you saw. Maybe they ran away.”

“No, Fred. It was that girl again. I wonder who it is” Diane thought to herself.