"Nolan! We're leaving!" my parents yell, loud enough for me to hear. I race down in my white shirt, and patrick boxers as they're almost out the door.
"Tell the pastor I said hello!"
My parents nod, and shut the door. I lock it behind them because if I didn't, then anyone could come in here and rob my parents blind of all their precious items. Well if they're firm believers like my parents, then maybe they'll see the value of the things my parents have. I laugh to myself as I imagine a bunch of robbers coming into my home to steal a bunch of crosses and baby Jesus figures. What if they're trying to exorcize demons?
Hearing my phone ring from my room, I jog up my very long case of stairs and jump on my bed. Madaline's name flashes across my screen, so I hurriedly swipe to the right. Her face appears on my screen, a silly expression on her face. Of course, I return the silly expression, making us both laugh loudly.
"What are you wearing right now?"
"Why do you want to know? Planning on copying my style?"
Madaline snorts at my comment. Maybe I should change her name to Ms. Piggy. Madaline squints her eyes at me as if she knows what I was thinking. Is the woman physic?!
"Oh poor, Nolan. If I hadn't called you, you'd still be in your patrick boxers, wouldn't you?"
A horrified look takes over my features. I look down at my patrick boxers, then back at Madaline who has a knowing look on her face. She shakes her head in disapproval, making me outwardly frown.
"Okay, what if I am?"
Madaline looks at me like I'm crazy.
"Nolan! Did you forget that Scarlette is coming over today?"
The confusion is gone from my face in seconds. What is she talking about? Scarlette coming over? Here, to my house? Impossible. Impossible.
"What are you talking about, Maddy? Scarlette isn't coming over," I tell her.
Madaline's eyes widen like saucers. Her mouth opens, and closes over and over, like she can't believe the words that came out of my mouth. The feeling is mutual because what she said was crazy talk.
"Nolan, I'm only going to tell you this once, so you can have time to freak out and get ready. Alright?"
I nod my head, slowly. She seemed a little serious now, so it's best I did listen to her if I still wanted to live. Madaline takes a small breath before she starts to speak.
"We were having lunch with Scarlette and her friend... you mentioned that your parents were going to be out for the weekend because of a church event. Remember that?"
I nod, slowly, again.
"Okay. Scarlette joked that you should let her come over for some fun, and after you blushed like a freaking maniac, you agreed. Even said that you'll bite her in Uno...whatever that means," she mutters the last part to herself, but I still heard.
I let Madaline's words sink in a little, and when they do, I freak the freak out. That's right! I even urged the idea of her coming over, and she teased me saying that I was adorable for that Uno comment. I should still have time left, right? I told her to come around twelve thirty. Afraid to check the time myself, I glance at Madaline from my phone, and seems to know what I'm already thinking.
"It's twelve on the dot, beast."
I blow out a breath, and mentally kill myself ten times over.
"Thanks, beauty. I'll call you later."
"Bye, Nol! Kiss Scarlette for me," she teases, and hangs up before I could get another word in.
I toss my phone to the end of my bed, and silently scream into my pillow. It's okay Nolan. Knowing Scarlette, she'll probably get here late. You have time. After my little pep talk, I walk into my closet, and pick out a mint green sweater along with white joggers to match. I decide to keep my green, patrick socks on. My hair falls over my eyes a bit, but I make no move to style it, or fix it. I mean who's coming over, my freaking nana?
She'd beat me with a broom stick if she saw my messy hair. She's a hair stylist and all that.
My room is clean besides my bed, since I did just jump on it and have a heart attack. Scarlette isn't here yet, so I make my way downstairs and into my beige kitchen. If someone's coming over, I should be a good host and put out some snacks. What does Scarlett like? Doritos? Coca Cola? I like Coca Cola.
Ignoring my inner thoughts, I take out two types of chips, and drinks. It should be good enough. Maybe I should pour them into a bowl, so we don't eat them all. My parents would be super mad.
I finish putting the chips into two separate bowls when my doorbell rings. I wipe my hands on a paper-towel, and go to answer the door. The doorbell rings a second time as I open the door. Scarlette stands there wearing a short-sleeved, black shirt, dark blue jeans, and black shoes. Her hair is tied into a low ponytail, and she has in her angel wing earring. Woah.
"Hey. I brought some stuff," is the first thing she says while holding up a store bag.
I move to the side, so she can walk in, and close the door behind her. Scarlette looks around my living room with her eyes before nodding. "Nice place you got. Who designed it, mom or dad?"
"Uhm, me. Believe it or not."
"Really?"
"No, dummy. My parents designed it together," I say, a playful smile already playing at my lips. Scarlette laughs to herself, and follows me into the kitchen. She places the bag of snacks onto the island table. I'm busy trying to pick up both bowls at the same time, when Scarlette comes up behind me. She reaches around me, and grabs a dorito. I blush at her close proximity.
"Good stuff."
I turn my face away from her point of view.
"Instead of stealing chips, you could help me out.
Scarlette hums, and I know she's about to say something snarky. I set down one of the bowls before I ended up dropping them both. I turn around to see her leaning on the island table with her arms crossed. She raises an eyebrow at me, so I do it back
"I thought you were an independent man, Nolan. What happened?"
"Hey, a man can only carry one bowl at a time, okay?"
Scarlette nods, as if she's understanding what I'm saying. I smile, thinking she's going to help me take the snacks into the other room, but I was wrong. She steals another chip from the bowl in my hand, and heads back into the living room.
"Do you mind if I look at some younger Nolan photos? No? Okay."
"Scarlette!"
"That's my name, Nolan. Don't wear it out, sweetheart."
I heavily blush at the nickname, but quickly get it under control. She's still a meanie for leaving me with the task of this. Balancing both bowls in my hands, and the drinks under my arms, I successfully make it into the living room. I may have dropped a chip or two, but hey! I did it.
Scarlette is standing in front of the family TV with a photobook in her hands. Making my way over to her, I see that it's my photobook from when I was in blue diapers up to the beginning of my freshman year.
"Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it," I say, now standing beside her. Scarlette closes the photobook as she turns to me.
"Of course. If you need anything else, just let me know."
I roll my eyes at her comment, and we sit down on one of the long couches. Scarlette suggests we watch more clown videos, which I shut down instantly. If I see one more creepy clown with a chainsaw for a hand, I will break my TV, and die for it later.
"Alright, what do you want to watch?" Scarlette asks me, her hands digging into the bag she brought. She takes out a shareable pack of M&Ms, and rips the corner of the pack open with her teeth.
I sit criss-crossed on my side of the couch, watching her quietly. She looks up at me with raised eyebrows, probably awaiting my answer. Instead of answering her question, I hold my hand out.
"Please," I say, knowing it's polite.
Scarlette grabs my hand and pulls it closer to her. She pours half her bag into my hand, then closes it before moving it back towards me. I smile up at her in thanks, and she returns it, her mouth full with the delicious snack.
"Oh, can we watch Princess and the Frog? Or Mulan?"
Scarlette shrugs, and passes me the remote that sat beside her.
"I've watched neither of those, so put on whatever," she finally says.
I gape at her as the words leave her mouth. She hasn't watched either?! How can she not have seen them?! After my internal freak out, I go to Disney+. Scarlette stares at the TV, all of her attention on Mulan as I put it on. I've watched the movie plenty of times, so instead of watching it, I study Scarlette's reactions.
Her eyebrows furrow at certain parts, sometimes her lips will twitch into a small smile, and other times she'll visibly frown. I smile, unknowingly, while watching her.
"Hey, Nolan..."
My eyes blink up at her, a little startled and surprised that she called my name. My head slightly tilts to the side as I answer her.
"Yes?"
Scarlette's head turns to me, her eyes still on the movie. After a couple more seconds, her eyes trail over to me.
"Don't you think it'd be better to take a picture, instead of plainly staring at me?"
My eyes widen at her comment. She was focused on the movie the entire time, so how did she know? Maybe she's just playing with me. It wouldn't be the first time. Scarlette's eyes never leave my face, making me more nervous than usual. She says nothing else, but instead leans closer to me. I visibly gulp as her face is mere inches away from mine, and her body even closer. She winks at me before grabbing the remote from beside me. I let out a long breath as she moves back.
"You're fun to tease, clumsy. You make it too easy for me," Scarlette admits.
I audibly groan at the nickname she still gives me. It's embarrassing to think about. I only tripped one time! Scarlette laughs lightly at my horrified expression. She's enjoying my despair a little too much.
"Stop calling me that! It's embarrassing," I let my thoughts be known.
Scarlette pretends she's thinking, and grabs a handful of chips to munch on. I watch her, silently, waiting for her teasing remark that I know she has.
"What should I call you then? Tell me."
"Nolan!"
"Nolan...hmmm," she goes back to pretending she's thinking. Her hand is resting on her chin and she stares at me, observily. I take a handful of chips for myself, and a sip of my drink. My mouth got a little dry from all the dry foods I've had in the past hour. Scarlette lets her hand fall to her lap after a while. I raise an eyebrow at her, making her speak up.
"I got nothing, but trust me, I'll find something soon."
I nod, half listening to her and half not. Scarlette's tattoos are on full display, and I can't help but stare at them. They fit her personality and appearance so well. Scarlette says nothing about me staring at her again, but instead picks up her phone. She peers at it for a good five seconds before turning it, so I could see the screen.
"Wanna go somewhere?"
"Where?" I ask, skeptically.
Scarlette packs all the snacks away, and even grabs some more chips. Well, she definitely does like doritos. I'll keep that in mind. I'm cut out of my thoughts when Scarlette waves her hand in front of my face. She already has her shoes on which she took off when looking at my photobook. I grab her hand that she held out, and she pulls me up from the couch. I slip on my comfy, white shoes that sat by the door.
"Wait, we have to clean up. My parents will freak if they come back to an untidy house."
Scarlette stops, her hand already on the door handle. She looks around the living room area, then back to me. I stand there patiently, waiting for her to say something, help me, or both.
"Nolan, there's nothing wrong with your holy house. Let's have some fun." Scarlette leaves the house, and I end up following her.