Splinters: Part One

Part One | 1

My eyes were wide as we passed each house. I spotted some children playing basketball on the side of the road. Melissa slowly stopped, allowing the boys to get out of the way. When they were on the sidewalk, I blinked, staring at the kids as they stared back at me, confused. As we passed them, I sat back in my seat. 

"Here we are!" she exclaimed, turning left and driving onto her driveway. "Home sweet home."

I stared at her house. It was like something out a movie with bright white paint and blue windows, a dark brown roof and a healthy green lawn. Her garage was closed, but once she opened it, I noticed a small blue Porsche sitting unoccupied on the left side of the garage. Gardening utensils hung on the walls and shelves and cabinets were clean and organized.

Once we were parked inside the garage, Melissa unbuckled her seat belt and got out. I did the same, following her into the house.

"Potey, down, boy," she said.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Huh- woah!"

Before I was prepared, a brown fluffy haired dog pounced on me. He was small, but still managed to startle me. I stepped back, bumping into the door. "No! No!" I scolded, waving off the dog.

"Potey!" Melissa shouted. "Down!"

He barked, making me jump. "Stop! Please stop!"

"Potey!" Melissa shouted once more, grasping the dog and lifting him to her chest, petting him. "Sorry about that, Brayden. He's a bit hyper around new people."

I stared at the dog, horrified.

"Not a fan of animals, eh?" Melissa asked, smiling half-heartedly.

I gulped, looking at her, then back to the dog.

"Potey's nice. He won't bite." She lifted him towards me, but I shook my head and pressed myself further back into the wall.

"N-n-n-n-o!" I pleaded. "I-it's fine. I, uh..."

Melissa stepped back, holding the dog to her again. Her startled facial expression proved that she hadn't seen this kind of behavior. My face heated in embarrassment. Boys my age aren't afraid of dogs. They aren't supposed to be, anyway.

Melissa frowned. She told me she'd let Potey in the back so that he wouldn't bother me. I stayed put, leaning back on the wall, still trembling. When she came back, she put a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay, Brayden."

I met her eyes and nodded.

"Are you hungry?"

I didn't say anything, but somehow, she knew the answer and guided me towards the kitchen. It was... stunning. The silver steel refrigerator was insanely large and the cabinets were hung high, some with glass doors and some with wooden ones. A dining table didn't sit in this room, but instead an island with three stools.

"You can sit there. Do you like ham sandwiches?"

She spoke as if nothing had happened. I thanked her for that in my head. Nodding at her, I took a seat atop one of the stools and watched Melissa make a sandwich until a loud rumbling sound was heard down the hallwy.

"Oh!" Melissa exclaimed, a smile instantly appearing on her face. "Greg's home!"

My stomach dropped. I sat up straight, realizing that now; I had to make another first impression. I heard the sound stop and a door open as heavy footsteps were heard came from outside the kitchen. I swept my hair to the side and finally met the eyes of a very tall, broad shouldered man with brushed black hair. He was dressed in a business suit and held a brown satchel on his left shoulder. His jaw was well defined and his light blue eyes shone brightly. From a glance, he was incredibly intimidating.