The trees across my cabin are veiled in the lightest of mists, their trunks somber brown with sable cracks that gnarl the bark. As my eye travels to the edge of the woodland, they become silhouettes against a blanket of white clouds, as if the entirety of Honeycreek is encircled by the twilight. From where I stood, the mountain couldn't be seen either. Only its edges were visible, mildly patting the darkened sky.
The moment her malicious grin dropped, her eyes gleamed as she raised her brows. "Your fence isn't really something that can keep anyone away."
I threw a glance at the wooden fence surrounding my yard. She's right, but that doesn't give her the pass. "Tch," I clicked my tongue and marched through the patio, pillaring my knees below to check the food they left me. Judging by the difference of each utensil, it's pretty obvious that it came from different people.
"I think that one is a mutton roll, and the bowl next to it… Woah, is that clam chowder? Janice makes pretty amazing chowder. You'll enjoy that."
I looked next to me and Avery's probing face greeted me. She was seated on the wooden bench, hovering atop as if she'll drool any time soon. "Will you get lost?!"
"No, why would I get lost? I always know the way." She jested and proudly, to say the least.
"You're so annoying. Do you want me to call the cops on you? Were you the one badgering the doorknob earlier, trying to get in?" I grabbed the food on the floor and, one by one, placed them on the table in front of the bench.
"Go ahead and call the cops. What will you say? This super cute girl is hanging out by my lawn. They'll take my side. And no, that was actually Natasha."
I paused upon hearing that and signaled her to scooch over, which she did. Avery sat on the far left corner of the bench while I plodded my ass on the right side. "What was she doing here?"
"She brought you food, duh."
"Well, she could've left it on the door like the others. Why did she have to wrestle the knob to get in like some fuckin' psycho…" I hemmed and took the cover of the dishes, analyzing them one by one. The aroma hit my nose at once, making my stomach grumble in delight.
"Maybe she was trying to check on you."
"She could've knocked."
"Then reprimand her tomorrow at school. Why are you pinning this on me? I'm innocent."
I rolled my eyes and as I thought of getting myself some spoon, a realization hit me. "Wait, so you were here when she was doing that? Didn't you stop her? And didn't she see you?"
Avery pursed her lips and remained silent for a second while giving me a nonchalant gaze. "I was here. I hid there," she explained and pointed at the right side of my shack. The fog has covered nearly half my yard, so it's really difficult to see things.
"I'm pretty sure that's borderline illegal. You're just as weird as them," I said and stood up to grab some spoon inside. I stopped for a moment when I opened the drawer and debated whether I'll offer some to that nosy woman.
"I think it would be hard to finish those on my own."
I came back outside and sat on the edge of the wooden bench while holding two spoons. I slid the other one right in front of her and she looked at me with wide eyes. "Woah. That's pretty kind of you, tumbleweed."
"What?!" I asked with a glare. She dare call me that one more time and I'd walk away without giving her any share!
"Nothing. I said I'm not hungry. It's okay…" She hoisted both her brows and smiled, catching me off guard. I looked away and just focused on the food in front of me, saying, "Whatever…"
I began to dig in on the food without a word. Little by little, I tasted it to detect if there's some sort of poison or if the taste's unnatural for me. So far, everything seems great. I found myself smiling. I haven't eaten for a while, and the last food I had was a damn playboy sandwich, and even that I puked out.
"So, how's your first day?" she suddenly asked with a tone reminiscent of a prying elder. I lightly choked and chortled.
"What are you, my mom?"
"Tch. No, I'm just concerned because you have zero decent social skills."
I rolled my eyes and sipped on the clam chowder. It was creamy and definitely tasty. Heck, it's even tastier than any dishes I've had at high-end restos. "You have no idea. I have great social skills. I have the coolest friends, too; let me tell you that. By the way, why didn't I see you at the assembly earlier? Were you even there?"
She scoffed and chided, "No. Assemblies are for losers. You mean to tell me, you attended?"
For a while, I fumed and pondered about what she said. Then, I made fun of her by saying, "For losers, you say? Then you mean you cut classes? If so, with whom? Because if you cut classes on your own, that doesn't make you cool. It just means that you're an unwanted loner."
She paused and met my mocking gaze. "Fine, if you say so. Then are you saying that you were at the assembly because you have found some friends?"
I dropped my spoon and the piece of meat I was gnawing. "That's not what I said. Stop making shit up."
"But isn't that kind of implied? So, you haven't found new friends? How about Natasha, who came here to check on you? Or Diana, the one you screamed at earlier."
The wind grew stronger that moment and knocked the chime situated by the porch. "You heard that?"
"It was a pretty loud yell," she replied like it's not a big deal. For the record, it isn't a big deal to me either. I'm just a bit surprised that she witnessed that scene.
"I don't need friends, and they were annoying too much," I casually worded to get her off my business.
"Oh, so it's the same thing as what you did to me. You're pretty intense, Joaquin," she commented with her eyes pinned on the horizon. I agree, but I never once felt bad about it. I have the right to express how I feel, and I was hella frustrated.
All of a sudden, Avery stood up and held the wooden railings on her side while facing her body on me. She leaned against it and faced me fully, which enabled me to scan her slim frame. She's still wearing our uniform, but so was I. That's why I didn't bother to comment about it.
"By intense, I'm saying entitled…" Her words made my eyes travel back to her paling face.
"What?" I muttered with my mouth filled.
"Just because you have a mouth, doesn't mean you should use it to express every single thing you're feeling. I get it, you're frustrated, these people are lame, they're all up on my business, blah… blah… blah…" She gestured her hands vivaciously as if making fun of me. She paused for a while, inhaled, and then continued with a straight face, "But why don't you use your head first and try to think where they're coming from?"
I chewed and swallowed. "Why should I? There's no doubt about it. They're after me because I'm Joaquin Astley. I'm cool; I'm rich. They're just trying to act cool and befriend me now, but sooner or later, I'm sure they'll ask for shit and then abandon me the moment my ship gets wrecked."
I could tell she was appalled by what I said, but I'm just being honest.
"Seriously? Are you hearing yourself, man?" Avery laughed and walked across me, standing by the wooden stairs after creating loud creaks. "Joaquin, you're nobody here."