Chapter 2:1 -School
I’d set the clock. Being late on the first day in a new school was not an option. Not an option for me at least. The other girls weren’t too happy when the alarm set off in the early morning. Mandy sat straight up, shocked and annoyed by the sound of the alarm. Her hair was a real mess, tangled on one side and completely flat on the other side. Adeline hid under the bed cover and curled up into a ball. Me?
I’d been awake awhile before the clock turned mad. I was nervous about school and puzzled about Rogan’s reaction. For the rest of the weekend no one saw Rogan except Blake as they shared room. So I couldn’t explain the situation to him. Was it supposed to be like this every morning? Forever? Surely not. Maybe a week, at most. I mean, he had kissed me so he couldn’t hate me that much. But then again, what the hell was I doing in his home. I could understand him but if his weird behaviour was going to be prolonged… What a dramaqueen. Those were the thoughts swirling around in my tired and confused head. When the alarm started I’d been awake two hours already.
-Turn it off! Mandy complained and threw her pillow in my direction.
Somehow did the three of us walk into the kitchen together. Hazel looked at her daughters with wide eyes as they sat down at the table with grumpy and tired expressions.
-What are you doing up so early?
-Edi’s alarm woke us, Mandy muttered and buttered a loaf with half-closed eyes.
Adeline put her head on the table and went back to sleep. She really was as I had thought her to be. Short fiery hair, multicolour painted nails and a small body. She reminded me of me. Except I was black and she was a rainbow.
-Amazing. Thank you Edi. You have no idea how hard it is to get these girls up. I hope you set that clock tomorrow as well, Hazel winked to me.
-No! groaned Mandy.
I smiled happy, this was exactly how I’d imagined a family breakfast and it would be perfect if it wasn’t for…
Blake walked into the kitchen and swiftly made a sandwich.
-Rogan? Hazel asked worried.
-Says he’s gonna eat at school, Blake answered as he pushed the sandwich into his mouth.
-Oh, she simply said and turned back to the stove.
Owen put down his morning paper and fixed his eyes on his eldest son.
-He’s making his mother unhappy. Tell Rogan that he has to eat breakfast here tomorrow morning or he’ll be grounded.
-Owen, no, it’s alright. He just need time to adjust, Hazel protested.
-Fine. Next week, Owen said and went back to his paper.
Blake nodded encouragingly to his mother before he disappeared with the sandwich in his mouth. Mandy snorted as she tried to lick up the jam from her sandwich on her fingers. She was a lot perkier after a sugar boost.
-Like he’ll last a week, he doesn’t have ‘nugh money for eating out each day, she said. –Are you done? Mandy continued and pointed at my sandwich which I’d barely touched.
-If we go now, we’ll catch the early bus and don’t have to huff and scuff with the rest. And also, I can guide you through school before the mass arrives.
I stared blankly at my sandwich.
-You can eat it on the way, Mandy said and pulled me up.
Mandy and I took our things and walked off to the bus. I don’t know how she did it but somehow Mandy managed to look like an old school film star despite the early start of the day. Her hair lay completely flat and her makeup was flawless. Beside her I was invisible, or rather I would be if I wasn’t dressed completely in black.
The blocks of flats formed a square surrounding the common green. I saw a swing hidden by overgrown bushes, it looked rusty and instable. It could be the perfect hiding place for me when I needed to be alone which would probably be soon. I wasn’t used to being surrounded by so many people every second of the day. The walk to the bus took us less than three minutes and Mandy used the time to verbally illustrate how the school looked like a prison or a grey cloud on a sunny day. She didn’t really raise my expectation of my new school, but it didn’t matter as it could never compare to my old school. It had been a private school with squeaky old floors of wood, great teachers who enjoyed their work and lunch food from a well reputed restaurant. The building dated back to the 18 century and every classroom oozed with history. By Mandy’s description I expected this new school to by a lump of grey and boring concrete, with plastic floors easy to sweep but always in the strange colour mixture of puke and mud. The classrooms smelled, supposedly, of chemicals and crushed dreams.
When we finally reached the bus stop I let out a sigh and wondered why I’d bothered setting the alarm last night. As if my dark mood couldn’t get worse we happened upon Rogan, waiting by the bus stop. He’d plugged his ears with music and didn’t notice us until Mandy hit him over the head with a textbook. He pulled out the earphones and glared at Mandy (rightfully so as she had hit him) and then at me. What had I done? Was I supposed to prevent Mandy from hitting him by reading her mind or what?! And yes, I was overreacting, but this boy made me made like no one else. At least I kept it to myself, unlike others. I stared back at him but he avoided eye contact.
-What? Rogan snapped at Mandy.
-You forgot your book, she said and waved the book she’d just hit him with.
Rogan grabbed it, stuffed it into his bag and walked away.
-What are you doing? The bus is coming soon, Mandy called after her brother.
Rogan ignored her and put in the earphones again.
-He’s just a tad crazy, Mandy said and turned to me. –You’ll get used to it. Or not. Probably not.
The bus arrived and we took seats far back in the bus. At the next stop Rogan got on. When he saw us he choose a seat in the front. Far away from us. Or was it just me. Wasn’t this avoiding business going a bit too far?
-Crazy, Mandy muttered under her breath. –He must have run to get to the next stop. Why do that when he simply could have stayed put.
She rolled her eyes.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Merula 1:3
Chapter 1:3 -Strangeness and charm
The next morning came too sudden. I was ripped out of my dreams by the sound of sizzling bacon and sausage, boiling water, the morning paper being turned page by page and voices discussing some trivial matter. It was nothing like home. For the first time since I got here I felt uneasy and the memories from yesterday popped up in my head right on cue. But I easily pushed them away and got up. Both Mandy and Adeline were up and I looked forward to see what the younger sister actually looked like. Somehow I pictured her with short spiky red hair. I checked my face and hair in a tiny mirror on Mandy’s bedside table. My short black hair stood out on all sides and my blue eyes looked extremely tired. Had this been home I wouldn’t have bothered and just walked out in the kitchen with my hair all crazy but this wasn’t home. I searched the room for a brush. Besides the mirror the little table was covered by tons of makeup, scattered all over, a brush full of red-brown hair and some vintage looking jewellery. From what I had seen yesterday after my and Mandy’s shop tour she was a vintage lover. Her own story, that she told me when we drank coffee, behind her nostalgia of the past was simple. When she was young and just started school the Evaeus family had been poor, a lot poorer than now, and they had bought most of their clothes second-hand. They used to visit different stores and at one there had been a mix of clothes from every decade. As a little girl Mandy thought the old beautiful dresses were a lot prettier than the clothes she wore. It had been her dream since then to wear a dress like that. From what I could see from her room she had succeeded in her dream. Her bed was covered in dresses in all kinds of colour and shapes. I imagined that when she went all out she would look like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
I tip-toed outside the kitchen before I coughed up some courage to meet the whole family I was going to live with for a long time. They sounded like a happy family. I could hear them joke with each other. Maybe I would like it here.
I took a step forward, tried to make it look natural as if I came direct from the room instead of standing outside eavesdropping.
-Oh, morning Edith. Oh right, you wanted to be called Edi, wasn’t it so? Mandy’s mum, Hazel, smiled warmly and pulled out a chair for me beside Mandy and her dad, Owen. There were two twin brothers sitting opposite me and they watched me closely. They looked like I’d pictured Adeline, with spiky red hair. But Adeline wasn’t there. Neither was Blake or the third, or was it the fourth, brother.
-Who are you? One of the twins asked me.
-You look like a boy, the other twin said with innocent eyes.
Before I could respond Hazel answered instead of me.
-This is Edith and she’s going to stay with us for awhile. Be nice, boys. I’m sorry Edi, these are my baby boys, Chase and Alli.
Hazel filled my plate with scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon and fried tomatoes. This definitely wasn’t home. At home I ate yoghurt with muesli and fresh fruit.
-I hope you didn’t sleep all too bad in the camp bed? Hazel added with guilty green eyes. –We’ll get you another one as soon as we can afford.
-Oh, it’s alright, don’t worry about it.
Blake walked into the kitchen with a dazed look. Hazel immediately turned to her son.
-How is he? She asked with a low, tense voice filled with worry. –He came home late last night.
-Yeah, but he was happy then, almost chirpy, Blake shook his head in disbelief and sat down by the table.
-Oh, that’s good, Hazel said hopeful and filled her son’s plate to the brim with breakfast.
-Yeah, but this morning he’s a bit surly. Bad dream I suppose.
Hazel’s smile turned down a little in the corners, but she tried to keep it up.
So far, I understood that they talked about the fourth son. Or was it third? I started to count on my fingers.
-Oh, well, maybe he’ll cheer up with some breakfast, Hazel said transparent and turned to the stove.
-Doubt it, mum, Blake said. –Mornings are never good.
-Blake, your mum’s only trying to be positive, his dad chided him.
-She won’t have much for it, she’ll only be disappointed. I’m off now, before hell breaks through.
Blake disappeared into the hallway.
-Blake, you hardly ate anything! His mum called after him.
-I ate enough. I’ll be home late, gonna watch flats with friends, he called back and the front door closed behind him.
-What was all that about? I whispered to Mandy. Their conversation had made me curious, it was as if I had been watching some soap opera.
-Hm, Mandy answered distantly, too busy concentrating on her sandwich. –Oh, that. It’s about my little brother, he’s moody.
At that time Mandy’s little brother walked into the kitchen. But he wasn’t all that little. He must have been around my age. He had dark hair, resembling his father more than his mother. The corner of his mouth was turned down and he looked really grumpy. He looked, all in all, moody. He took Blake’s seat and Hazel placed a plate with food and a cup of tea in front of him. He reached for the honey which stood right in front of me. He must have noticed me because he lifted his head and our eyes met. I looked into a pair of dark brown eyes. Brown and warm like brownies.
-Oh, right, Rogan this is Edith, she’ll be staying with us while her parents are away.
Those brownie eyes narrowed and their warmth disappeared. He pulled back his hand as I’ve bitten him and quickly rose from the table. A few seconds later a door slammed and Hazel sat down in the chair Rogan just left. She looked exhausted.
-“Surly” is misjudging it completely. I don’t understand, why he’s reacting this way? Hazel sighed.
I knew the answer. Who would expect the girl you kissed yesterday to show up in your kitchen the following morning? Mornings really wasn’t his time of the day.
But still, was this the way to react? Couldn’t he just pretend like nothing- like I had to do! He could at least have said hi. We’d kissed, ok, so what? It wasn’t the end of the world and it was only the two of us who knew. I, for sure, would bring this secret to the grave. How embarrassing wouldn’t it be for me to say “oh, was that your son, we kissed yesterday”. It just a kiss! Did he have to slam the door as if he was upset over something big, like… being grounded, I know it’s not that big of a deal either but it was the best my shocked brain could think of. This was overreacting for sure. The more I thought about it the more upset I got. His behaviour was completely out of line. Rude even!
Another door slam, some brisk movement in the hallway and yet another door slam. This time the front door I concluded from the sound it. The whole family breathed out.
-Oh dear, don’t think we’ll see him for the rest of the day, Hazel sighed once more.
-Yeah, lucky us, Mandy cheered unenthusiastically with the sandwich in her hand and the twins giggled.
-Mandy, her dad rebuked her.
Mandy put on a fake innocent look with pouting lips. Owen went back to reading the papers with a snort.
-Are you done with your breakfast? Mandy asked me and I hardly got to answer before she dragged me away from the kitchen.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
The next morning came too sudden. I was ripped out of my dreams by the sound of sizzling bacon and sausage, boiling water, the morning paper being turned page by page and voices discussing some trivial matter. It was nothing like home. For the first time since I got here I felt uneasy and the memories from yesterday popped up in my head right on cue. But I easily pushed them away and got up. Both Mandy and Adeline were up and I looked forward to see what the younger sister actually looked like. Somehow I pictured her with short spiky red hair. I checked my face and hair in a tiny mirror on Mandy’s bedside table. My short black hair stood out on all sides and my blue eyes looked extremely tired. Had this been home I wouldn’t have bothered and just walked out in the kitchen with my hair all crazy but this wasn’t home. I searched the room for a brush. Besides the mirror the little table was covered by tons of makeup, scattered all over, a brush full of red-brown hair and some vintage looking jewellery. From what I had seen yesterday after my and Mandy’s shop tour she was a vintage lover. Her own story, that she told me when we drank coffee, behind her nostalgia of the past was simple. When she was young and just started school the Evaeus family had been poor, a lot poorer than now, and they had bought most of their clothes second-hand. They used to visit different stores and at one there had been a mix of clothes from every decade. As a little girl Mandy thought the old beautiful dresses were a lot prettier than the clothes she wore. It had been her dream since then to wear a dress like that. From what I could see from her room she had succeeded in her dream. Her bed was covered in dresses in all kinds of colour and shapes. I imagined that when she went all out she would look like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
I tip-toed outside the kitchen before I coughed up some courage to meet the whole family I was going to live with for a long time. They sounded like a happy family. I could hear them joke with each other. Maybe I would like it here.
I took a step forward, tried to make it look natural as if I came direct from the room instead of standing outside eavesdropping.
-Oh, morning Edith. Oh right, you wanted to be called Edi, wasn’t it so? Mandy’s mum, Hazel, smiled warmly and pulled out a chair for me beside Mandy and her dad, Owen. There were two twin brothers sitting opposite me and they watched me closely. They looked like I’d pictured Adeline, with spiky red hair. But Adeline wasn’t there. Neither was Blake or the third, or was it the fourth, brother.
-Who are you? One of the twins asked me.
-You look like a boy, the other twin said with innocent eyes.
Before I could respond Hazel answered instead of me.
-This is Edith and she’s going to stay with us for awhile. Be nice, boys. I’m sorry Edi, these are my baby boys, Chase and Alli.
Hazel filled my plate with scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon and fried tomatoes. This definitely wasn’t home. At home I ate yoghurt with muesli and fresh fruit.
-I hope you didn’t sleep all too bad in the camp bed? Hazel added with guilty green eyes. –We’ll get you another one as soon as we can afford.
-Oh, it’s alright, don’t worry about it.
Blake walked into the kitchen with a dazed look. Hazel immediately turned to her son.
-How is he? She asked with a low, tense voice filled with worry. –He came home late last night.
-Yeah, but he was happy then, almost chirpy, Blake shook his head in disbelief and sat down by the table.
-Oh, that’s good, Hazel said hopeful and filled her son’s plate to the brim with breakfast.
-Yeah, but this morning he’s a bit surly. Bad dream I suppose.
Hazel’s smile turned down a little in the corners, but she tried to keep it up.
So far, I understood that they talked about the fourth son. Or was it third? I started to count on my fingers.
-Oh, well, maybe he’ll cheer up with some breakfast, Hazel said transparent and turned to the stove.
-Doubt it, mum, Blake said. –Mornings are never good.
-Blake, your mum’s only trying to be positive, his dad chided him.
-She won’t have much for it, she’ll only be disappointed. I’m off now, before hell breaks through.
Blake disappeared into the hallway.
-Blake, you hardly ate anything! His mum called after him.
-I ate enough. I’ll be home late, gonna watch flats with friends, he called back and the front door closed behind him.
-What was all that about? I whispered to Mandy. Their conversation had made me curious, it was as if I had been watching some soap opera.
-Hm, Mandy answered distantly, too busy concentrating on her sandwich. –Oh, that. It’s about my little brother, he’s moody.
At that time Mandy’s little brother walked into the kitchen. But he wasn’t all that little. He must have been around my age. He had dark hair, resembling his father more than his mother. The corner of his mouth was turned down and he looked really grumpy. He looked, all in all, moody. He took Blake’s seat and Hazel placed a plate with food and a cup of tea in front of him. He reached for the honey which stood right in front of me. He must have noticed me because he lifted his head and our eyes met. I looked into a pair of dark brown eyes. Brown and warm like brownies.
-Oh, right, Rogan this is Edith, she’ll be staying with us while her parents are away.
Those brownie eyes narrowed and their warmth disappeared. He pulled back his hand as I’ve bitten him and quickly rose from the table. A few seconds later a door slammed and Hazel sat down in the chair Rogan just left. She looked exhausted.
-“Surly” is misjudging it completely. I don’t understand, why he’s reacting this way? Hazel sighed.
I knew the answer. Who would expect the girl you kissed yesterday to show up in your kitchen the following morning? Mornings really wasn’t his time of the day.
But still, was this the way to react? Couldn’t he just pretend like nothing- like I had to do! He could at least have said hi. We’d kissed, ok, so what? It wasn’t the end of the world and it was only the two of us who knew. I, for sure, would bring this secret to the grave. How embarrassing wouldn’t it be for me to say “oh, was that your son, we kissed yesterday”. It just a kiss! Did he have to slam the door as if he was upset over something big, like… being grounded, I know it’s not that big of a deal either but it was the best my shocked brain could think of. This was overreacting for sure. The more I thought about it the more upset I got. His behaviour was completely out of line. Rude even!
Another door slam, some brisk movement in the hallway and yet another door slam. This time the front door I concluded from the sound it. The whole family breathed out.
-Oh dear, don’t think we’ll see him for the rest of the day, Hazel sighed once more.
-Yeah, lucky us, Mandy cheered unenthusiastically with the sandwich in her hand and the twins giggled.
-Mandy, her dad rebuked her.
Mandy put on a fake innocent look with pouting lips. Owen went back to reading the papers with a snort.
-Are you done with your breakfast? Mandy asked me and I hardly got to answer before she dragged me away from the kitchen.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Merula 1:2
Chapter 1:2- Strangeness and charm
Great. I’d lost Mandy. And she had my bag. With my wallet. She had my ticket as well.
The day had gone by in a blur and I had enjoyed every second. Mandy and I had scoured the city thoroughly in the chase of useless stuff that we in the end didn’t buy. We were two of a kind, Mandy was a penny-pincher and I had money enough to make me passive, there was nothing I wanted and there were nothing that suited Mandy and had the price she liked. Instead we treated ourselves some coffee and cookies and chit-chatted. Suddenly the sun had begun to set and Mandy checked the time, it was ten minutes until the last metro. We rushed over to the station and got our tickets. As we waited for the train to arrive Mandy thought of the great idea to buy some sweets for the journey home so I told her to use my money and in a few seconds Mandy vanished with my bag containing the money and my ticket with the words “I’ll be right back”. When she didn’t return after a couple of minutes my wreck of a brain begun to overwork, after all this day had been spinning too fast to begin with and my feet moved on their own. I walked around on the platform while trying to remember which train I was supposed to take. So I lost Mandy.
I turned around, stood on my toes to see better but I couldn’t find her anywhere on the platform. A train arrived. Was this the one we should take? I didn’t know. It screeched and stopped. The doors opened and people rushed out and people pushed to get in. By the door stood a boy, oh well, almost a man. His hair was dark as chocolate and his eyes were dark. Handsome, yes, but what shocked me was how familiar he felt. He lifted his head and our eyes met.
-You know what train to take? He asked with a low voice.
I must have looked lost.
-No but I’m going to…
The speakers drowned out my voice and told the passengers to get on board, the doors were closing. I was puzzled, what should I do? Mandy was nowhere to be seen and what if this was the right train? It was supposed to be the last one. The doors beeped warningly and suddenly someone tugged my arm and I was on board. I looked into a pair of warm brown eyes.
-This is the right train, the low voice informed.
I took a step back to focus. It was the guy with the brown hair who had pulled me on board.
-Are you sure? I asked nervously, scanning the platform after Mandy as the train begun to roll.
-Yes.
-Oh, alright, then, I answered and felt really naïve to believe in a stranger I’d just met. –Edith.
As if offering my name and hand would make us any less strangers. But he took it all the same.
-Rogan.
It was something in his eyes that draw me to him, not only the fact that he was attractive. His eyes were the same as grandma’s, brown and warm as the brownies she used to bake. My cheeks flushed, I was staring! But I wasn’t the only one. He was staring right back at me, examining my body with his brown eyes. When he realised I stared at him for staring at me his sunburnt cheeks reddened.
-I’m sorry, didn’t mean to gape, it’s just…you seem familiar, he excused himself with a sweet smile.
-Likewise, I said abruptly before I begun to drool. His smile was too sweet. I didn’t even like sweet stuff, preferred liquorice. –You have the same eyes as my grandma.
-Oh, Rogan raised an eyebrow.
Had I offended him?
-You two have eyes like brownies, I mean they’re brown like brownies, and warm. It’s just, she used to bake brownies, that’s why, not that she’s making them anymore. She’s dead.
It felt like I had spilled out my whole family history or something. This was just too embarrassing. I usually wasn’t a talker, I preferred silence and awaiting the right moment to utter something knowledgeable. I couldn’t stand people who let floods of meaningless and empty sentences flow over you until you drowned. And now I’d turned into one myself. The Victoria falls. Not one of my finest moments.
-I’m sorry for her death, Rogan said and put an end to my shame.
-Oh. Thank you.
Our eyes met briefly and then he looked the other way. At least he could do that. I was crammed into a corner. I either had to face his beautiful face or look right into his chest. He looked well trained though.
The train made several stops and at each more people got on than there were people getting off. It was crowded. And at that point the smart people controlling the train sent out the ticket collectors to check every passenger’s ticket. Fellow travellers moved restlessly and took up their tickets from various pockets, bags, handbags, front and back pockets on their jeans and wallets. There were a lot of sharp elbows. I rolled my eyes, sighed and begun to search my own pockets for my ticket only to remember that Mandy had mine. Wherever she was.
-Shit, I muttered under my breath.
-No ticket? Rogan asked with his eyebrows raised a little.
-No, it’s just that my friend has it. And my bag. And my wallet.
-Oh, bad luck, Rogan frowned his forehead with compassion. –It’ll be expensive for you.
-Could have guessed. Want to pay? It was after all you who pulled me on this train.
Rogan smiled, at least he could appreciate humour.
-I can help you, but I don’t think you’ll like it though.
-If it’s free I’ll do anything you tell me to.
He smiled again. He had to stop that or I would eat him. Unexpected he attacked first. He bent forward and kissed my lips, not really kissing just keeping his lips to mine. My eyes must have been wide as footballs. I looked straight into his brownie eyes.
-Act, he muttered across our pressed lips.
Oh, right, as if the ticket collector would be tricked be that. Two teenagers making out, yeah right. How did he even come up with this idea? But I did as I was told, it wasn’t much of a loss anyway and I had told him I would do anything he told me to do. So I reached up to put my arm around his neck, stood on my toes to even our height and I put some effort into the flat kiss. This wasn’t what he’d expected from me, I could feel his body stiffen and his eyes glanced nervously at mine but then he did his part of acting too. He wrapped his warm arms around my bony body and pulled me closer to him. In the corner of my eye I saw the collector approach and I closed my eyes, hoping for snow in hell. And it snowed.
But it took at least seven minutes before either I or Rogan noticed. We got a bit entangled in our acting. When I finally released him his brown eyes had a different glow and I guessed mine had as well.
-You would be a really good actor, I complimented him to make the situation less embarrassing.
He smiled, his cheeks flushing a bit. So much for making it less akward.
-Yeah, seems like we actually got away with it. But I’d say it was because of our excellent teamwork.
The rest of the trip we talked, no more kissing. I wouldn’t really recommend kissing a stranger, no matter how familiar he seems and has eyes of melting chocolate.
Rogan had a similar humour to mine and we laughed most of the time. Then his stop came and I waved him off.
Before the doors closed Mandy was standing before me with worry in her eyes.
-You got on the right train, she said amazed as she pulled me out of the carriage before the train begun to move again.
-Just lucky.
-Lucky me, Mandy said relieved. –Mum would have killed me if I’d lost you on the first day you’re here. It would be just like me. Sorry by the way.
-No damage done, Mandy, I smiled to her, after all it was me who’d lost her.
I was really tired after the long day. When we got back to block 71 and the Evaeus’ flat Mandy and I kicked off our shoes and dragged our feet to her bedroom which was now my bedroom as well. A squeaky camp bed had been put by the element underneath the window. Beside it stood a suitcase, the one dad had packed in a rush. I sighed and sat down on the bed. I didn’t want to think about it now. Once again I didn’t see much of the younger sister except for that red mess of hair and some toenails sticking out from underneath the cover. Had she stayed in bed all day? I had never slept in a camp bed before let alone a squeaky one but I was too tired to care. I flung off my clothes and replaced them with whatever t-shirt I could find and snuck into the bed. That night I dreamt of Rogan. How could I not?
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
Great. I’d lost Mandy. And she had my bag. With my wallet. She had my ticket as well.
The day had gone by in a blur and I had enjoyed every second. Mandy and I had scoured the city thoroughly in the chase of useless stuff that we in the end didn’t buy. We were two of a kind, Mandy was a penny-pincher and I had money enough to make me passive, there was nothing I wanted and there were nothing that suited Mandy and had the price she liked. Instead we treated ourselves some coffee and cookies and chit-chatted. Suddenly the sun had begun to set and Mandy checked the time, it was ten minutes until the last metro. We rushed over to the station and got our tickets. As we waited for the train to arrive Mandy thought of the great idea to buy some sweets for the journey home so I told her to use my money and in a few seconds Mandy vanished with my bag containing the money and my ticket with the words “I’ll be right back”. When she didn’t return after a couple of minutes my wreck of a brain begun to overwork, after all this day had been spinning too fast to begin with and my feet moved on their own. I walked around on the platform while trying to remember which train I was supposed to take. So I lost Mandy.
I turned around, stood on my toes to see better but I couldn’t find her anywhere on the platform. A train arrived. Was this the one we should take? I didn’t know. It screeched and stopped. The doors opened and people rushed out and people pushed to get in. By the door stood a boy, oh well, almost a man. His hair was dark as chocolate and his eyes were dark. Handsome, yes, but what shocked me was how familiar he felt. He lifted his head and our eyes met.
-You know what train to take? He asked with a low voice.
I must have looked lost.
-No but I’m going to…
The speakers drowned out my voice and told the passengers to get on board, the doors were closing. I was puzzled, what should I do? Mandy was nowhere to be seen and what if this was the right train? It was supposed to be the last one. The doors beeped warningly and suddenly someone tugged my arm and I was on board. I looked into a pair of warm brown eyes.
-This is the right train, the low voice informed.
I took a step back to focus. It was the guy with the brown hair who had pulled me on board.
-Are you sure? I asked nervously, scanning the platform after Mandy as the train begun to roll.
-Yes.
-Oh, alright, then, I answered and felt really naïve to believe in a stranger I’d just met. –Edith.
As if offering my name and hand would make us any less strangers. But he took it all the same.
-Rogan.
It was something in his eyes that draw me to him, not only the fact that he was attractive. His eyes were the same as grandma’s, brown and warm as the brownies she used to bake. My cheeks flushed, I was staring! But I wasn’t the only one. He was staring right back at me, examining my body with his brown eyes. When he realised I stared at him for staring at me his sunburnt cheeks reddened.
-I’m sorry, didn’t mean to gape, it’s just…you seem familiar, he excused himself with a sweet smile.
-Likewise, I said abruptly before I begun to drool. His smile was too sweet. I didn’t even like sweet stuff, preferred liquorice. –You have the same eyes as my grandma.
-Oh, Rogan raised an eyebrow.
Had I offended him?
-You two have eyes like brownies, I mean they’re brown like brownies, and warm. It’s just, she used to bake brownies, that’s why, not that she’s making them anymore. She’s dead.
It felt like I had spilled out my whole family history or something. This was just too embarrassing. I usually wasn’t a talker, I preferred silence and awaiting the right moment to utter something knowledgeable. I couldn’t stand people who let floods of meaningless and empty sentences flow over you until you drowned. And now I’d turned into one myself. The Victoria falls. Not one of my finest moments.
-I’m sorry for her death, Rogan said and put an end to my shame.
-Oh. Thank you.
Our eyes met briefly and then he looked the other way. At least he could do that. I was crammed into a corner. I either had to face his beautiful face or look right into his chest. He looked well trained though.
The train made several stops and at each more people got on than there were people getting off. It was crowded. And at that point the smart people controlling the train sent out the ticket collectors to check every passenger’s ticket. Fellow travellers moved restlessly and took up their tickets from various pockets, bags, handbags, front and back pockets on their jeans and wallets. There were a lot of sharp elbows. I rolled my eyes, sighed and begun to search my own pockets for my ticket only to remember that Mandy had mine. Wherever she was.
-Shit, I muttered under my breath.
-No ticket? Rogan asked with his eyebrows raised a little.
-No, it’s just that my friend has it. And my bag. And my wallet.
-Oh, bad luck, Rogan frowned his forehead with compassion. –It’ll be expensive for you.
-Could have guessed. Want to pay? It was after all you who pulled me on this train.
Rogan smiled, at least he could appreciate humour.
-I can help you, but I don’t think you’ll like it though.
-If it’s free I’ll do anything you tell me to.
He smiled again. He had to stop that or I would eat him. Unexpected he attacked first. He bent forward and kissed my lips, not really kissing just keeping his lips to mine. My eyes must have been wide as footballs. I looked straight into his brownie eyes.
-Act, he muttered across our pressed lips.
Oh, right, as if the ticket collector would be tricked be that. Two teenagers making out, yeah right. How did he even come up with this idea? But I did as I was told, it wasn’t much of a loss anyway and I had told him I would do anything he told me to do. So I reached up to put my arm around his neck, stood on my toes to even our height and I put some effort into the flat kiss. This wasn’t what he’d expected from me, I could feel his body stiffen and his eyes glanced nervously at mine but then he did his part of acting too. He wrapped his warm arms around my bony body and pulled me closer to him. In the corner of my eye I saw the collector approach and I closed my eyes, hoping for snow in hell. And it snowed.
But it took at least seven minutes before either I or Rogan noticed. We got a bit entangled in our acting. When I finally released him his brown eyes had a different glow and I guessed mine had as well.
-You would be a really good actor, I complimented him to make the situation less embarrassing.
He smiled, his cheeks flushing a bit. So much for making it less akward.
-Yeah, seems like we actually got away with it. But I’d say it was because of our excellent teamwork.
The rest of the trip we talked, no more kissing. I wouldn’t really recommend kissing a stranger, no matter how familiar he seems and has eyes of melting chocolate.
Rogan had a similar humour to mine and we laughed most of the time. Then his stop came and I waved him off.
Before the doors closed Mandy was standing before me with worry in her eyes.
-You got on the right train, she said amazed as she pulled me out of the carriage before the train begun to move again.
-Just lucky.
-Lucky me, Mandy said relieved. –Mum would have killed me if I’d lost you on the first day you’re here. It would be just like me. Sorry by the way.
-No damage done, Mandy, I smiled to her, after all it was me who’d lost her.
I was really tired after the long day. When we got back to block 71 and the Evaeus’ flat Mandy and I kicked off our shoes and dragged our feet to her bedroom which was now my bedroom as well. A squeaky camp bed had been put by the element underneath the window. Beside it stood a suitcase, the one dad had packed in a rush. I sighed and sat down on the bed. I didn’t want to think about it now. Once again I didn’t see much of the younger sister except for that red mess of hair and some toenails sticking out from underneath the cover. Had she stayed in bed all day? I had never slept in a camp bed before let alone a squeaky one but I was too tired to care. I flung off my clothes and replaced them with whatever t-shirt I could find and snuck into the bed. That night I dreamt of Rogan. How could I not?
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
Monday, February 06, 2012
Merula 1:1
Chapter 1:1- Strangeness and charm
-Edith, we’re here.
My mum’s voice woke me up gently.
Wherever here is. I opened my eyes to a different world. I was used to houses with well-cut lawns and trimmed gardens, two or even three floor houses with balcony or veranda and at least two fancy cars in the driveway. This... I took a careful look at my surroundings, this was a suburd. Five floor flats, a common green with playground, football ground and some rusty old benches . Of course I’d seen suburds before. This was actually one of the better ones I’d seen. But it was still a completely different world to what I was used to and what I’ve grown up in. If it had been any other day I wouldn’t be scared at all, it was just a suburd, but now... I was petrified.
Mum and dad were acting strange. They’d woken me real early, the sun hadn’t even begin to rise. They had rushed into my bedroom. Dad had packed some of my clothes in a big suitcase while mum tried to get me out of bed. Then they had shoved me out in the hallway where three other suitcases waited full to the brim. My head was too slow to follow what was going on. My first thought had been that we’re going some kind of trip, a far away trip, in a hurry. I was pushed into the car’s backseat. As dad skid out of the driveway I asked mum what was going on. It was then my fear kicked in. Mum didn’t answer me instead she looked at my dad with a worried expression. When I asked again she told me not to worry. How could I not worry? But I realised that no matter how many questions I asked they wouldn’t answer any of them. I sat back and let my mind go back to sleep. And now I was here. Wherever here is. I’d never been here before.
-Where is here? I asked as I climbed out of the car, not really hoping for an answer.
-Our friends live here, Hazel and Owen. Dad and I thought you could stay here while we’re away.
-That’s not really necessary, I can take care of myself.
I had always been a loner, I preferred to be home alone when mum and dad were going on a trip rather than stay at a friend’s house.
-I’m sure you can, darling. But where are you going to stay? Mum looked at me like I was a tiny baby.
I didn’t like that look.
-What do you mean? I asked carefully.
Dad put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at him. His smile was far from reassuring.
-Sweety, we’ve sold the house.
-What?! My surprise was obvious. –But all my things...
-I’ve packed the most essential things you might need.
I could feel the panic grow in my stomach.
-Most... essential..., I tried to get a hold of myself. –And the rest.
-Sold.
-Or thrown away, dad said and shrugged his shoulders. -Here is some money you can buy new stuff with.
I could feel my knees fold beneath me. Dad grabbed a hold of me before I hit the ground. He stuffed the money in my hand.
-Let’s get her up, I could hear dad say as lifted me up in his arms.
Mum held up the door to block number 71 and dad carried me up the stairs to the third floor. On the door it said Evaeus. It was not a name I was familiar with. Mum pushed the doorbell and footsteps moved on the other side of the door. The chain was removed and the door was openend by a man in mum and dad’s age, around forty. Owen, I presumed. He had almost black hair with some grey strikes. His eyes, hid behind a pair of old style glasses, were brown and very tired. He didn’t seem surprised by my parents visit, they must have called in advance. He stepped aside and dad carried me inside. In the hall the man’s wife waited with a more alert expression than her husband’s. She had red curly hair and awake green eyes. She smiled pleasantly and despite my shock I thought she looked like a nice person. Hazel, I remembered mum had said.
-How nice to see you again, Hazel said and tilted her head a little. –In spite of the circumstances.
What circumstances? That my parents had lost their minds?! And who were these people, my parents’ friends? I’d never seen them before.
-So this is Edith? The woman with the red hair watched me closely. –You’ve grown so much, she said as if we’d met before except I couldn’t remember her.
-Let’s sit in the kitchen, the black haired man said and led the way.
In the kitchen a boy and a girl sat by the table and ate breakfast. They had red-brown hair that curled a little, their eyes were green and alert like the woman’s. Why were they awake so early? Both were older than me, maybe three or four years.
-These are our oldest, Blake and Mandy. The others are sleeping.
The woman smiled sweetly.
The others? How many were they in this tiny flat?
-Kids, this is Edith. She’ll be staying with us for awhile.
Usually by this time I would protest and say a definite NO, I’m not going to stay here, I’m going home. But dad still held me in his arms and I felt really silly so what do I say?
-Call me Edi.
That’s all I could say. Dad placed me on a chair and we all surrounded the large kitchen table. Mum and dad talked with their friends, catching up and small talk. I sat silent, watching my hands full with money.
-I was thinking of going into town today, wanna come? The girl, Mandy, asked me all of a sudden.
-That’s a great idea, Mandy’s mum said and winked at her daughter encouragingly.
My mum was equally enthusiastic. She fished up her wallet and pushed more money in my hands.
-Yes, do that. Have a great time and get to know each other, she said while nodding exaggeratedly.
I got the point already. I was here to stay and there was no use in trying to argue, they would only push more money in my hands.
-If we take the sub now we’ll be there when the shops open, Mandy said.
Great, I’d just got here and now I had to leave again. But I didn’t protest. When she rose from the table so did I. I followed her through the hallway to what seemed to be the living room and into what had to be her bedroom. There were two beds, one was empty and a mess and the other one was still occupied. Red hair stuck out from under the sheets on one side of the bed and on the other side some odd coloured toenails popped out as the creature under the sheets moved.
-That’s my baby sister Adeline, she’s…, Mandy scratched her head with her fingers. –She’s twelve and the youngest. I’m second oldest after Blake, he’s twenty-one and I’m nineteen. How old are you?
-Sixteen.
-Oh, great age. Lots of love and emotions.
I couldn’t tell if she meant it or if she was just sarcastic. I raised my eyebrow questioningly and she smiled.
-Or maybe it was seventeen, don’t remember. Mandy shrugged her shoulders. –Anyhow, you’ll share this room with me and Adeline.
-Oh.
I observed my surroundings with a judging eye. The bedroom was tiny and if another bed would fit it would be a miracle. But hey, if the room was totally cleaned out and renovated then maybe I would fit in here… somewhere… Mandy picked up a few things and put it in a bag and we went back to the kitchen.
-We’re off then, she said and left for the hall.
Mum and dad rose from the table and hugged me.
-We won’t be here when you get back. You understand, don’t you?
I nodded. This would be such a moment when you pour your heart out. But I don’t cry. Not anymore. Not since grandma died.
I hugged my parents tightly. I love them even if they were acting crazy. It felt like I wouldn’t see them for a very long time. It didn’t matter that they called it a holiday, my heart said otherwise. Not that they’d said it was a holiday either. Just that they were going away. But they wasn’t leaving me for good, they would come back some day. I just didn’t know when that day would come. Perhaps they didn’t know either, and that was why they pretended that they were going on a holiday to keep the hope up. For whatever the reason, they left me here to fend for myself. These were the thoughts flowing through my head before Mandy called from the hallway.
-So you’re five all in all in your family, I stated as Mandy and I walked to the subway just to say something.
-No, we’re eight in total. I have three little brothers as well.
I stared at her.
-Eight? In that small flat? I asked doubtful.
-Well, Blake’s trying to move out, he’s saving money for it. It’s just not going so well on that saving part as he is drinking up most of it. Mandy smiled jokingly. -And I’m leaving after summer as well. I like your hair by the way. It keeps people away, doesn’t it?
It was as if we’d known each other forever. How could she read me so easily? My hair was short, black and shaved on the left side. I had a piercing on my left ear and when I put make-up on I looked overall goth. But I wasn’t. Which Mandy had figured out with just one look. I did this to keep people away as I preferred to be left alone since no one really understood me. But she did.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
-Edith, we’re here.
My mum’s voice woke me up gently.
Wherever here is. I opened my eyes to a different world. I was used to houses with well-cut lawns and trimmed gardens, two or even three floor houses with balcony or veranda and at least two fancy cars in the driveway. This... I took a careful look at my surroundings, this was a suburd. Five floor flats, a common green with playground, football ground and some rusty old benches . Of course I’d seen suburds before. This was actually one of the better ones I’d seen. But it was still a completely different world to what I was used to and what I’ve grown up in. If it had been any other day I wouldn’t be scared at all, it was just a suburd, but now... I was petrified.
Mum and dad were acting strange. They’d woken me real early, the sun hadn’t even begin to rise. They had rushed into my bedroom. Dad had packed some of my clothes in a big suitcase while mum tried to get me out of bed. Then they had shoved me out in the hallway where three other suitcases waited full to the brim. My head was too slow to follow what was going on. My first thought had been that we’re going some kind of trip, a far away trip, in a hurry. I was pushed into the car’s backseat. As dad skid out of the driveway I asked mum what was going on. It was then my fear kicked in. Mum didn’t answer me instead she looked at my dad with a worried expression. When I asked again she told me not to worry. How could I not worry? But I realised that no matter how many questions I asked they wouldn’t answer any of them. I sat back and let my mind go back to sleep. And now I was here. Wherever here is. I’d never been here before.
-Where is here? I asked as I climbed out of the car, not really hoping for an answer.
-Our friends live here, Hazel and Owen. Dad and I thought you could stay here while we’re away.
-That’s not really necessary, I can take care of myself.
I had always been a loner, I preferred to be home alone when mum and dad were going on a trip rather than stay at a friend’s house.
-I’m sure you can, darling. But where are you going to stay? Mum looked at me like I was a tiny baby.
I didn’t like that look.
-What do you mean? I asked carefully.
Dad put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at him. His smile was far from reassuring.
-Sweety, we’ve sold the house.
-What?! My surprise was obvious. –But all my things...
-I’ve packed the most essential things you might need.
I could feel the panic grow in my stomach.
-Most... essential..., I tried to get a hold of myself. –And the rest.
-Sold.
-Or thrown away, dad said and shrugged his shoulders. -Here is some money you can buy new stuff with.
I could feel my knees fold beneath me. Dad grabbed a hold of me before I hit the ground. He stuffed the money in my hand.
-Let’s get her up, I could hear dad say as lifted me up in his arms.
Mum held up the door to block number 71 and dad carried me up the stairs to the third floor. On the door it said Evaeus. It was not a name I was familiar with. Mum pushed the doorbell and footsteps moved on the other side of the door. The chain was removed and the door was openend by a man in mum and dad’s age, around forty. Owen, I presumed. He had almost black hair with some grey strikes. His eyes, hid behind a pair of old style glasses, were brown and very tired. He didn’t seem surprised by my parents visit, they must have called in advance. He stepped aside and dad carried me inside. In the hall the man’s wife waited with a more alert expression than her husband’s. She had red curly hair and awake green eyes. She smiled pleasantly and despite my shock I thought she looked like a nice person. Hazel, I remembered mum had said.
-How nice to see you again, Hazel said and tilted her head a little. –In spite of the circumstances.
What circumstances? That my parents had lost their minds?! And who were these people, my parents’ friends? I’d never seen them before.
-So this is Edith? The woman with the red hair watched me closely. –You’ve grown so much, she said as if we’d met before except I couldn’t remember her.
-Let’s sit in the kitchen, the black haired man said and led the way.
In the kitchen a boy and a girl sat by the table and ate breakfast. They had red-brown hair that curled a little, their eyes were green and alert like the woman’s. Why were they awake so early? Both were older than me, maybe three or four years.
-These are our oldest, Blake and Mandy. The others are sleeping.
The woman smiled sweetly.
The others? How many were they in this tiny flat?
-Kids, this is Edith. She’ll be staying with us for awhile.
Usually by this time I would protest and say a definite NO, I’m not going to stay here, I’m going home. But dad still held me in his arms and I felt really silly so what do I say?
-Call me Edi.
That’s all I could say. Dad placed me on a chair and we all surrounded the large kitchen table. Mum and dad talked with their friends, catching up and small talk. I sat silent, watching my hands full with money.
-I was thinking of going into town today, wanna come? The girl, Mandy, asked me all of a sudden.
-That’s a great idea, Mandy’s mum said and winked at her daughter encouragingly.
My mum was equally enthusiastic. She fished up her wallet and pushed more money in my hands.
-Yes, do that. Have a great time and get to know each other, she said while nodding exaggeratedly.
I got the point already. I was here to stay and there was no use in trying to argue, they would only push more money in my hands.
-If we take the sub now we’ll be there when the shops open, Mandy said.
Great, I’d just got here and now I had to leave again. But I didn’t protest. When she rose from the table so did I. I followed her through the hallway to what seemed to be the living room and into what had to be her bedroom. There were two beds, one was empty and a mess and the other one was still occupied. Red hair stuck out from under the sheets on one side of the bed and on the other side some odd coloured toenails popped out as the creature under the sheets moved.
-That’s my baby sister Adeline, she’s…, Mandy scratched her head with her fingers. –She’s twelve and the youngest. I’m second oldest after Blake, he’s twenty-one and I’m nineteen. How old are you?
-Sixteen.
-Oh, great age. Lots of love and emotions.
I couldn’t tell if she meant it or if she was just sarcastic. I raised my eyebrow questioningly and she smiled.
-Or maybe it was seventeen, don’t remember. Mandy shrugged her shoulders. –Anyhow, you’ll share this room with me and Adeline.
-Oh.
I observed my surroundings with a judging eye. The bedroom was tiny and if another bed would fit it would be a miracle. But hey, if the room was totally cleaned out and renovated then maybe I would fit in here… somewhere… Mandy picked up a few things and put it in a bag and we went back to the kitchen.
-We’re off then, she said and left for the hall.
Mum and dad rose from the table and hugged me.
-We won’t be here when you get back. You understand, don’t you?
I nodded. This would be such a moment when you pour your heart out. But I don’t cry. Not anymore. Not since grandma died.
I hugged my parents tightly. I love them even if they were acting crazy. It felt like I wouldn’t see them for a very long time. It didn’t matter that they called it a holiday, my heart said otherwise. Not that they’d said it was a holiday either. Just that they were going away. But they wasn’t leaving me for good, they would come back some day. I just didn’t know when that day would come. Perhaps they didn’t know either, and that was why they pretended that they were going on a holiday to keep the hope up. For whatever the reason, they left me here to fend for myself. These were the thoughts flowing through my head before Mandy called from the hallway.
-So you’re five all in all in your family, I stated as Mandy and I walked to the subway just to say something.
-No, we’re eight in total. I have three little brothers as well.
I stared at her.
-Eight? In that small flat? I asked doubtful.
-Well, Blake’s trying to move out, he’s saving money for it. It’s just not going so well on that saving part as he is drinking up most of it. Mandy smiled jokingly. -And I’m leaving after summer as well. I like your hair by the way. It keeps people away, doesn’t it?
It was as if we’d known each other forever. How could she read me so easily? My hair was short, black and shaved on the left side. I had a piercing on my left ear and when I put make-up on I looked overall goth. But I wasn’t. Which Mandy had figured out with just one look. I did this to keep people away as I preferred to be left alone since no one really understood me. But she did.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
News!!
There IS an epilouge coming up about the Broken Ones, I understand that this story doesn't feel complete yet. Which is actually how I feel about the epilouge and that's why I haven't posted it yet, I need to work on it a bit more.
Meanwhile, I'm launching (such a fancy word) my new story. For the while I'm calling it Merula (google it if you want to know the meaning of the word) but that is only the working title as I can't think of anything else. Now, how to summarize it...
It's set in real-time, in a similar society with class differences, school, busses and subways but with a touch of ... unexplainable magic. This is probable more for a younger audience, but it's still me writing them so if you like my writing style you just might love it anyhow (self-boast, it easy to get overconfident when there are people reading your stuff but never any bad comments- that must mean it's good right;P not that there are any good comments either, in fact there aren't ANY comments at all... )
Thanks to everyone who has so far followed the Broken Ones!
//J.L.Frick
Meanwhile, I'm launching (such a fancy word) my new story. For the while I'm calling it Merula (google it if you want to know the meaning of the word) but that is only the working title as I can't think of anything else. Now, how to summarize it...
It's set in real-time, in a similar society with class differences, school, busses and subways but with a touch of ... unexplainable magic. This is probable more for a younger audience, but it's still me writing them so if you like my writing style you just might love it anyhow (self-boast, it easy to get overconfident when there are people reading your stuff but never any bad comments- that must mean it's good right;P not that there are any good comments either, in fact there aren't ANY comments at all... )
Thanks to everyone who has so far followed the Broken Ones!
//J.L.Frick
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