Deepest Desire

Weird Girl Next Door

I returned home fuming with anger. I had to come with Sherry's fresh cream and I knew very well how my mother was going to react. I was so pissed at that punk-looking girl that I wanted to slap her until I have calmed down.

I straight away headed to the kitchen, my expressions gloomy, and kept the items on the kitchen counter.

Just as I was heading to my room, escaping my mother's lecture, she called me. “Astra, what is this? You know this isn't what I wanted.” She frowned at me and waited for my answer. What was I supposed to say? That a weird girl with no brain spilled all the cream on the floor right in front of my eyes and I couldn't do anything.

I chose to lie instead. “There wasn't any left so I could only get this,” I said. It wasn't fully a lie. There wasn't any left other than that one pack.

She sighed, disappointed. “I guess I had to work with this one today.”

“Sorry Mom” I apologized, feeling bad to see her upset. It was all that girl's fault and I despise her.

I went to my room and noticed my phone ringing. I gazed at the screen finding Olivia's name on it. I smiled and received her call. “Hey”

“You are coming right?” she inquired, having doubts.

I rolled my eyes and said yes for the fifth time since we made this plan. “I'll be there in ten minutes.”

“See you soon then” she chirped and ended the call.

Olivia's house was just a block behind mine and it will take less than five minutes to go there. I wasn't in a very good mood. I couldn't help but think about the girl's smug smirk and the way she mocked me. Argh! I hate it.

I never saw it in this neighborhood. Maybe she was new. Who even let her stay here?

I sighed and stopped myself from thinking too much over useless things.

**

I pressed the doorbell standing on her front porch and waited for Olivia to open the door. Seconds later, they pushed open and I was welcomed with Carol's smiling face.

“Hello, Carol” I chirped, smiling widely.

“Astra! Come on in” she beamed and invited me in. She closed the front door and walked beside me.

“Olive has been waiting for you” she informed, her tone was light and filled with humor. Her shoulder-length curly hair bounced as she walked. They were like springs and I had this weird urge to touch them.

Deleting that thought from my mind, I joked, “She misses me so much.”

She laughed and she couldn't deny that wasn't true. She offered me some cookies but I refused to say I was full. “Forgot your Mom feeds you, sweets, every day,” she said with humor in her tone.

I smiled giving her a look.

Carol, Olivia's Mom was a great human being. She was chilled and easy to talk to. I find it easier to share things with her than my Mom, probably because Carol gives the best advice and knew what teens went through.

She was doing some paperwork and leaving her alone to do her work, I headed upstairs where Olivia was waiting for me.

The room's door was open and I thought of surprising her. I tiptoed in, trying my best to not make any sound. She was lying on her princess bed reading some kind of magazine. She gets easily scared and it was fun to scare her.

Just as I passed the door and was tiptoeing towards Olivia, Jamie popped in front of me making a loud scary sound. I screamed in horror. My heart was beating so fast. He started laughing and Olivia joined him too, meeting my eyes.

They planned this. Dammit. They performed the trick I was going to perform on them. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Alex approaching me.

“Geez Star, you get scared so easily,” Jamie said dramatically, still laughing at my reaction.

I rolled my eyes and shoot a dirty look at Olivia.

“Damn you all” I tried to sound angry but I couldn't control myself from laughing. I joined in their laughter and laughed until we all were satisfied.

“It was Oli's plan. So I ain't have a hand in it” Jamie revealed, innocently raising both his hands as if he was the thief and I was the cop.

“Don't you dare try to back out now? You were the one who executed it” Olivia argued, making her eyes big as she faced Jamie.

They both will continue with their argument if no one stops them.

“Fine fine. I didn't mind it anyway and we all know Olivia is the one who gets scared easily” I asserted, wickedly smiling at my best friend.

“Agree” Alex chimed, bobbing his head. I could barely see his eyes since his hair covered them like bushes. Jamie nodded as well, wiggling his eyebrows at Olivia.

We played games, talked, and shared infos about what was going on currently. Carol brought in juice and chips for us.

“I don't wanna go to school tomorrow” Olivia grumbled, sipping the juice with the help of a straw.

“Yeah. I haven't completed my Chem assignment yet” Jamie chimed in, agreeing with Olivia. In our group, Olivia and Jamie were the ones who fight a lot yet their thoughts were the same. On the other hand, I and Alex were more amused seeing them fight.

“Oh, please. You never complete any assignment” Olivia retorted, scowling at Jamie.

Jamie ignored her words and asked me, “Star, can you give me give me yours?”

I shook my head. “Nuh-uh. Mr. Morris will know right away you copied from me.”

He made a puppy face but I wasn't going to fall for that.

“You sure are a d**k,” Alex said, facing to Jamie. Being the President of the School's council and team member of lacrosse, Alex hates it when someone grumbles about work.

“Well, change of topic” I put down the glass and glanced at them. “You know that old dark house? Well, someone is residing there.”

Astonished, they exclaimed. “After a long time huh? I was considering it use it for the Halloween party this next month” Jamie mused.

Now to think of that, Mom would be going to give them cupcakes this evening and as much as I was curious about them, I thought I should go with her. I never initiated to go with her to the charity building so she would be surprised to hear that from me.

It was around twelve and knowing that my time was up, I left Olivia's and went to my home. I had to again be gloomy and bored. I was a single child and even though it was good I sometimes felt the need to have a sibling with whom I can share my thoughts. That wasn't going to happen ever so thinking won't make my wish come true.

**

I was in the kitchen with Mom as she packed the cupcakes in a beautiful box. As expected she was surprised when I told her about me going with her to greet the neighbors.

She packed them neatly and when it was done, she handed the box to me.

“Let me wash my hands first,” she said, and walking to the sink, she washed her hands and wiped them with the help of the small towel.

She was dressed and my Mom looked good in anything she wears.

The maroon dress really suits her though.

“Are we ready?” she quipped and I bobbed my head giving her a small smile.

She informed Dad about our departure and we headed out of the front door.

September evenings were mild but it sometimes got colder as the sunsets. She took the box from but I urged to take it from her. For the lost cream, I could do that.

The house which was once dark and haunted was now lit and looked like someone could live in there. I was nervous, maybe because of meeting them. We entered the gate and walked up to the front porch. I gulped softly and waited as Mom pressed the doorbell.

Keep it cool.

The door clicked and when it opened, a familiar face displayed in front of me. I froze and I blinked twice to make sure what I seeing was false.

But there she stood, the weird girl with the same brooding expression and that same attitude. She was as surprised as me.

“You got to be kidding me” she mumbled but it was loud enough for me to hear. Yeah, same girl.