She's standing in my room looking around like she disapproves.
"Is there something wrong?" I ask looking her more closely.
"No nothing, I just thought you would have a little more of a personalized... space?" She tilted her head in confusion, "I mean, nothing's wrong with it, it just seems ordinary compared to the rest of the house."
"Oh, no you're right. I just don't like to put my personality into material items. I say things or give something rather than owning something that I have to look at everyday."
"That makes sense. You really don't like color, do you?" She asked accusingly.
"Not when it comes to a room. You can put your bag here," I say pointing to the bed. "I hope you don't mind but my mum is freaking out over what to cook so I'm supposed to ask you what you want to eat."
She looked at me so quick that I almost didn't see the look of terror in her eyes. What could possibly make her scared about eating dinner? She looked at the floor a minute in concentration. "I'll honestly eat anything."
"Alright. Make yourself comfortable and I'll go tell her." I go ahead out the door. I look back to see her setting down her stuff on my bed.
*****
The hall lights are turned off on this side of the house as usual. Mum's door is cracked but I can tell she's not in there. Where could she possibly be? The sudden sound of pots and pans falling on the floor wakes me from my question. I start rushing towards the kitchen only to find mum doubled over laughing.
"Is everything okay down here?" I asked even though I knew the answer, no.
"Yes, everything's perfect. You brought a girl home and I'm attempting to cook something edible. Did you ask her what she likes to eat?" She asks, bending down to pick up some of the pots and pans. I bend down to help her.
"One, I'm helping her study upon the wishes of a teacher. Two, she said she would eat anything. If I were you, I'd make spaghetti since it's the only thing you can make that tastes good. No offence." I say standing back, setting a skillet on the counter.
"None taken considering you're right. I'll get going on it right now. It'll be done in about 30 minutes so don't get too much done on that homework or studying junk whatever it is you're doing. Don't be late down here. I will not come up there and get you." She says with a look of intensity and meaning.
"Yes, ma'am. Another thing. Be nice please." I say on my way to the back stairs. I head towards my room and open the door slowly to find her doing her homework.
"Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes or so and mum doesn't like it when I'm late zo we probably can't get much done." I say pulling my desk chair over to the bed to sit in front of her.
"Oh, that's okay. I'm almost finished with this anyway." She says holding up the packet of papers.
"When did you start that?" I asked a little too harshly.
"When you left. Why?" She asks like she doesn't understand what I'm saying.
"It took me 3 hours to read and answer that packet and you are almost finished in 5 minutes? Why don't you do this in class?" I ask taking the papers out of her hand. "And how did you get all these right?"
"I-I don't know. I guess it just happened." She says, blushing and shaking her head.
"Lena this isn't a bad thing, this is really good. I think I may need you to teach me, I smile, trying to calm her down from the obvious fright on her face. "But seriously, why don't you show them how smart you really are?"
"Let's just say that the real me scares me so I refuse to show it, even to myself. Sometimes I let it slip out and things like this happen and I can't stop it. It's like the inner e is fighting so hard to make an appearance even though I don't want it to." She says like she's relieving herself from a burden she's been carrying.
"We all have our inner demons; some just happen to be stronger than others. On a real note, can you actually show me how you read that so fast."
She smiles and picks up her packet again, explaining it as she goes. I occasionally comment, but nothing in detail. I can't even tell what she's saying. She's brilliant yet she's terrified to show it Why?
"The house is on fire." She says, startling me out of my thoughts. "Are you even listening?"
"I'm sorry I was just... let's start heading down for dinner. I'm sure it's almost ready anyway." I say avoiding her question. I pick up her books from her lap and set them on the desk. "Follow me."
I start walking down the hall while she starts jogging to keep up.
"Would it kill you to walk at a normal pace?" She asks catching up to me only to fall behind again.
"I see you run every morning when I get to school. You run in rain, snow, and any other condition there is, surely you can keep up with me." I respond and pick up the pace a little too, only to regret it a little later going down the stairs.
"Only one of us here is 6'2"' She says getting ahead of me only to turn around backwards and walk. Wow, talented too.
"Last time I checked it wasn't me fault you're so short. How tall are you anyway?"
"5'9" and that is pretty tall for a girl my age so fight me." She bites back.
"Alright I'm sorry. You win. The kitchen's this way." I say with a little smirk.
"What are you thinking?" She asks accusingly. I hold my smirk and keep walking.
"Ascot. What are you about to do?" She asks stopping so I can pass her. "Ascot, I don't know your middle name Rose tell me what you're thinking or so help me..."
I cut her off be running towards the kitchen. I may not be a fast runner, but I am quiet. I heard her yell something, but I couldn't distinguish it.
I lost her.
Oh no.