Disappointments, one after another. I think we all go through that phase of life at least once. Teenagers being dramatic might go through that every day until they learn to live with the feeling.
beep beep beep
I woke up to the sound of my alarm almost startled by it. The same dream that has been following me for weeks now, made its way into my head today as well.
Sigh~
"Caitlyn breakfasts on the table. Are you almost ready?"
It was the sound of my mother coming from all the way downstairs. For about 20 years now she has been calling on me the same way.
Living with her for so long taught me one thing. "On the Table" meant it will be ready in 20mins.
I’m sure you can imagine the disappointment I have faced multiple times in my life where I got ready for breakfast in a rush, raced down the stairs and into the kitchen just to find out its not on the table yet, its "almost" on the table.
I got out of my bed, showered, changed and tidied up my room before leaving. I got to the table just in time where my dad and baby brother were seated accompanied by my mom in her usual workspace. I greeted them all and took my usual spot.
Ding~
The bell door rang. I already knew who it was.
"Daniel come in honey", said my mom without even turning around.
"Hey Mrs. Green, Mr. Green, hey you dumbass" he said hitting me on the head and taking the seat next to me. "whats on the menu?"
Daniel was our next-door neighbour. Literally our next-door neighbour. It was normal for us to have breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, just about anything at each other’s houses.
"Dumbass" I said under my breath.
He didn't notice my whisper, nor did he ever notice the blush on my face every time he touched me, or the way he set me on cloud 9 every time he came over.
If he couldn’t get a hint then how on earth was I supposed to tell him how he accompanied me in my dream today, as he has been doing for the past week.
You would not know the complications I had. I will have to tell you how this mess started from the very start.
***
Daniel has been my friend ever since we moved here to LA. I still remember the day I set foot on the Los Angeles grounds, took in the fresh city air, held my breath for a little longer than usual.
It was about 5 years ago. I immediately noticed the figure standing in the yard of the house next to the one that was supposed to be ours, washing his car.
Next to him was a boy who looked the same age as my sister. My sister, Jasmine, who was about 18 at the time, stepped out the car slipping her headphones from her head to her neck while texting someone.
She ran her hand through her long black hair that were tied in a ponytail. She looked up and immediately locked eyes with the guy standing there. He smirked at her while she rolled her eyes at him.
Back in Texas everyone worshiped her, as if she were some kind of a goddess. It happened wherever she stepped foot.
Oh, to be her, long legs, small waist, eyes greener than the grass, cheeks tinted as if the roses themselves kissed her every morning and an attitude as rotten as if she were the direct descendent of Satan himself. The man washing the car turned around and greeted my father.
"Hey there! You must be our new neighbours"
"That will be us" my father said passing a big smile towards the gentleman standing on the garden that parted our houses with the help of a thick bush.
"My name is Miles Archer, your literally next-door neighbour" he said with a warm smile.
"Michael Green, very nice to meet you”.
"Positive"
A small boy peeked from behind Miles.
"Hey there big boy" said my father "what's your name? "
"Daniel", he said almost hesitantly, "Daniel Archer”.
"These are my two boys Andrew and Daniel. I was just teaching them the basics of washing a car", he laughed, “You must be exhausted from your trip let us help you with your things"
"Oh no you don’t need to do that we wouldnt want to rotten your evening on our first day here now would we" laughed my mother.
"Oh no Mrs. Green it would be no problem. We would love to give you a hand" said Andrew as he took a glance at Jasmine who was back on with her texting.
Our neighbours ended up helping us unload our stuff despite my mothers resistance. I had decided to take to room upstairs. Daniel was helping me carry my stuff up to my room.
"Did you know the people who lived here before you had to leave because of this very room?"
"What?"
"Yeah, they said it was haunted. They could hear footsteps and noises like that of a hammer being slammed all night long. I think I even saw the ghost luring about late at night”.
"what the hell??"
"Yeah I am a witness myself the guy was a butcher, a night owl. Im positive everyone in the neighbourhood could hear the sound of the hammer being slammed. His wife wore this long white gown and walked all around the house with only the hallway light on. Not only them but the whole neighbourhood was sure of the ghosts”.
"Oh my god i thought you were serious for a second", I laughed.
"Im Daniel Archer"
"Caitlyn Green", I smiled
"Well Caitlin looks like your balcony opens right to mine", he took my hand and showed me to the huge window on the side of my room.
He opened it. The balcony was small, enough to fit one person, but sure enough right in front of it was the balcony of the house next door.
"That’s my room right there. See we can talk whenever we want to. We can even exchange books"
"Do you like to read?"
"Like? Love is more accurate a word, I think. I have my own little library at my place. I noticed that box in your room full of books so I just assumed you must like it too", he said in an embarrassed tone.
Could it be that my question confused him? Maybe he thought his initial assumptions about me were wrong.
"I do too"
"Huh? "
"I do like it or love is more accurate a word I think", I mimicked him, "But back in Texas no one really shared my interest so I kept it to myself"
"Well, here's to sharing interests then I guess"
We both smiled.
We spent the day unpacking things, our mothers busy decorating the house. Both the families got together so well it felt like we already knew each other for years.
Miles invited us over to his house for dinner the same day. We ended up accepting the offer after much resistance. He seemed to be a very persistent guy who got whatever he asked for.
We got all ready for the night that followed and got to know each other better. Daniel showed me his favourite books, asked me about my favourite authors, criticized the genres I liked.
We seemed to get along so smoothly as if it were meant to happen.
"I always wanted to read more of Andre Specimen", I said looking at his little collection. His "library" as he liked to call it.
"When's your birthday?" He said lying back on his bed.
"May 23rd"
He got up on his arms immediately his expression as shook as ever
"May 23rd?"
"May 23rd", I repeated.
"No way mine too"
We both looked at each other surprised then laughed at the coincidence.
"That’s so crazy", he laughed, "almost as if we're soul mates"
I was taken aback but immediately said, "I know right"
"So Andre Specimen on May 23rd this year huh"
“What you’re gonna gift it to me?”
“Can I not?”
I smiled at him.
“Of course whatever”
We went quiet.
"They seem to be hitting off right", he said after a while pointing to Jasmine and Andrew, who could be seen from our room making small talks.
I could tell Andrew was the one making the small talks while Jasmine stood there acknowledging his existence with a boring "hmm" "yea" "no way" from time to time.
"Yeah right", I said, "makes me want to walk away from them and never look back honestly"
We both laughed. The night was breezy and felt amazing. Nothing could have been more perfect.
