Trouble Next Door

chapter fifteen

I glared at Lucas from where i stood, the scowl never leaving my face, then turned to aunt Mary.

"Common aunt, don't tell me just cause he helped you with a couple of shopping bags you're going to forget how he kept us awake with parties?"

"Oh common Maury, the young man has apologized. Its unhealthy to hold grudges."

"Common Maury." Lucas said feigning an innocent look. I felt like gagging. "Let's just forget our differences and kiss and makeup."

When my aunt wasn't looking he blew me a kiss. This guy is really asking for it. Kiss and makeup? Why didn't aunt Mary sense anything wrong with that statement? Why was i the only one who got his implied meaning?

"He didn't come here to make peace." I tried again with my aunt. This time she sighed irritated.

"Maury. I didn't raise you up to be mean."

"But aunty..."

"Enough! You will be nice to the young man, understand? Its my house and i make the rules."

"Yes Maury, listen to your aunt. It'd be in your best interest if we got along." Lucas said smirking and waggling his brows at me.

Why the hell am i the only one seeing this? Was Lucas practicing some sort of voodoo?

"Now keep Lucas entertained while i go check on the pie." Aunt Maury left the living room.

"Maury you heard what she said." Lucas said immediately. "Entertain me."

Yeah right. Entertain my a*s. I'll entertain him alright. With contempt.

"What am i? I snapped. " Your personal clown? And cut the crap about trying to make peace. Why the hell are you here?"

"Maury you hurt me". Lucas said placing his hand on his chest dramatically. "Now i'll never sleep right."

"Ah...I'd like to see that! It'd make my day." I said in mock glee.

"You're really mean." He pouted.

"Seriously? What's all this about? Helping my aunt with shopping bags, promising to mow the lawn?"

"Its overgrown Maury and your aunt is a busy career lady. And since your lazy a*s is not able to do it, probably because you spend all day gossiping with Kathy about how hot i am, i've decided to be a good neighbour and offer my help. I'm trying to be nice".

I was highly irritated. " Nice my a*s!" I snorted.

"All you do is snort. Got something up your nose?"

"You're annoying. Obviously you know i'm not buying your fake act like my aunt. And your true color is already starting to show and if you think i have nothing better to do than gossip about you. You're delusional."

"Oh Maury." Lucas said with an evil smile. " Your aunt is a smart lady. A bit too conventional but at least she's wise to know that its unfavorable to be on my bad side. You'll be wise not to mess with me."

What the hell?

"Is that a threat?"

'Its a promise Maury." Suddenly his face broke out in a huge grin. "Now be a good girl and entertain me."

"With what pray tell your Majesty." I sneered, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Uh...let me think. A lap dance will do."

"How about i give you a fist dance."

I fisted my hands. The nerve of this boy! Conveniently for Lucas my aunt came in right at that moment.

"Maury!" She snapped. "What the hell are you doing? A minute alone and you're already planning to kill the poor boy. I did not raise you up to be so violent."

"Don't worry about it." Lucas said before i could get any word in. "Its my fault. I don't expect her to be so quickly accepting. I only offered my friendship and well....I know it'll take some time and...."

"That's a lie aunt! You should have heard the things he said."

"Maury.. Aunt Maury forced herself to remain calm, trying to contain her anger.

"If it's about the lawn, i'll mow it. Don't be friends with him. He only wants to torment me."

" Enough Maury! What do you take me for?" My aunt chocked out in anger. "You think i'm like that?" Definitely. "Offering friendship just cause of the lawn? I didn't know you think so little of me."

"Its not that aunt....He's totally using you...he..."

"That's it! Go to your room. Since you refuse to get along with Lucas you'll stay in your room."

"Urgh! I'm too old for this. I'm an adult remember?"

"Then act like one!"

"You can't force me to get along with him."

Throughout this exchange Lucas bore a pathetic, remorseful innocent look. But i knew better. The snake!

"To your room Maury!"

"Urgh! Fine!" I threw Lucas a contemptuous glare and raced upstairs. I entered my room and slammed the door, making sure it resounded throughout the house. I flung my self on the bed, covering my face with a pillow to muffle the sound of my scream.

How could aunt Mary believe Lucas over me? I didn't understand. Is this some sort of joke? I mean she hated the Donnovans. Or was my aunt up to something? No, it couldn't be that. Aunt Mary was bad at pretending. Plus, i could read her like a book. I know just what to do. The silent treatment. Yes. How could she treat me like that in front of that villain.

For two days i refused to speak to aunt Mary, making her see the errors of her ways. She got so fed up with it and decided to make peace. We rarely quarreled and my aunt hated it. When i was busy one morning making a cereal for myself aunt Mary came into the kitchen.

"Aww common sweetheart". Aunt Mary said hugging from behind. Aunt Mary was strict but could be loving when she wanted to be. We were good friends and she wanted to keep it that way. I could never stay mad at her.

"I'm really sorry Maury. Perhaps i was wrong to snap at you in the presence of Lucas but you have to get along with your neighbours".

Since when?

"But..."

"No buts...."

My aunt wasn't giving up. She was stubborn. She always had to get her way. Anytime we argued about something she always had to come out the winner. I was used to this and indulged her for both our peace of mind.

"OK." I sighed, resigned. "I'll try to get along with Lucas." I felt her relax then deciding to taunt her added, "And Mr Donnovan as well."

She released me with a scowl. "I said nothing about that ingrate."

"But you said to get along with our neighbours."

"Yes, neighbours who are willing to help us mow our lawn".

I smiled and rolled my eyes. I ate my breakfast and went up to my room. I carefully avoided looking out my window into Lucas' room. I went to the bathroom to take a shower only to come back in and meet the shock of my life.