"No way mom." I puff into the phone, clearly agitated.
"Come on, Maddie. It's one time. I'm getting called in late tonight and we could use the extra cash." My mother sighed into the phone, her tone lightening.
My mom worked 2 jobs to support her and I. One working at a desk for some contracting business, and a side job as the house keeper for a richest woman in town; Mrs. Louise. I mean, don't get me wrong, Louise was a very nice woman. She was basically like my own grandmother to me, but something about vacuuming and dusting her huge house did not sound too appealing, especially on the first day of summer break.
I groaned slightly, switching my phone from my left ear to my right. "I'll do it, just because I love you."
"Thanks sweetie. She said to be down there at 3. She'll be out for the weekend and said she left a check on the counter already. And you'll get half pay, I promise."
"Alright, alright." I smiled, my mood changing.
"I love you."
"I love you more. Bye." I hung up the phone, tossing it onto my bed.
My mother had been the only person I let my walls down to. She was my rock. After my father left when I was 11, I shut down. I couldn't really grasp what was happening, but I knew it wasn't good. I knew it wasn't okay. I lost interest in the things I once loved, my friends became strangers, and I lost myself. I built up these barriers that no one could get through, so when my mom finally did I started to see the light in my life. But to this day, I can barely trust anyone, they're usually pushed away before we can connect. The only people I have in my life are my mom and my 3 best friends; Julia, Lue, and Annabel. They've been with me from the start and they were able to hang on until, well, now. They helped me, they helped me a lot. And I'll never be able to repay these 4 wonderful girls.
I turned my attention to the clock on the wall, it being 2:30 already. Sighing at the job I agreed to, a decided to change into clothes I didn't mind getting messy. I rummaged through my drawers, slipping on a black graphic crew neck and a pair of blue jean shorts. I jogged into the bathroom, releasing my light brown hair from it's braid and it setting on my shoulders. Applying makeup and throwing on shoes, I headed out the door and walked to my car.
I carelessly tossed my bag into the back seat. I read the messy address written on the note card my mother had lying around, struggling to read the poor penmanship.
After a drive of about 10 minutes, I pulled into the driveway of the gorgeous white mansion. I punched in the gate code and headed even further down the cement trail. I shifted into park, grabbing my bag from the back. My mom said I was allowed to walk straight in considering no one was home and that the key was on top of the door frame.
"Shit." I mumbled to myself. The door frame outside had been too tall to reach for me, so I was stretching myself out as far as my arms and legs could to get a grip on the keys.
"Um, can I help you?" An unknown voice asked from behind me.
I jumped at the question as I thought no one was supposed to be here. I turned my head swiftly, taking in the sight of a teenage boy.
"I think the question is, is what are you doing here? How'd you get in?" I scanned his tall figure up and down, noticing he was wearing black jeans in June.
He rolled his eyes and started digging through his back pocket. I folded my arms across my chest, not too excited about his gesture.
I watched his eyebrows furrow as his teeth caught his bottom lip.
"Not again." He groaned, releasing his hands to his side. He pushed passed me and picked up the 'welcome' mat in front of the door.
"What are you even looking for?" I retorted, not feeling very keen about his actions.
"I live here. And if you don't mind, I'm trying to find the spare keys. So maybe you can help me."
He lived there? Since when had Louise had a grandson? And one my age?
I let out a small cough, pointing to the top of the door frame. I raised my eye brows as he looked at me, catching on.
"Right, right." He mumbled. He stood on his tip toes, extending his arms about his head.
I couldn't help but notice how much taller he was than me. I wasn't short, it was just his frame. He scrunched up his nose a bit, fumbling to get the keys. He muttered a few swear words under his breath before he brought himself back to his normal height. He turned his head over his shoulder as he jingled the keys into the door, looking more through me than at me.
His eyes were definitely another thing to take notice in. They were a light shade of green, a color almost clear. They seemed comforting.
"I'm guessing you're the lady to help take care of the house?" He asks, opening the door, letting me in first.
"Uh, yeah. Well, no." He lead me down into the kitchen, pulling out a barstool for him to sit on.
"My mom was supposed to come, but she got called to work late. She's just a busy lady and she asked me to come help take care of Louise's house and I wasn't really up for it but we need the cash so-I'm rambling aren't I?" He had his chin rested in his hand which was propped up by his elbow with a smug look plastered on his face. I rambled a lot, usually when I was nervous or put in a weird situation, but it felt like neither to me.
"Well, hi, Rambling. I'm Michael." He picked up his head and stuck out his hand.
I laughed the childish joke, similar to the ones my mom would say when I was hungry...'Hi Hungry, I'm mom.'
I shook my head as a lightly laughed, letting my head drop.
"Maddie. You can call me Maddie." I said in a brighter tone.
"Alright, Maddie. Since it's supposed to rain today, I'm not taking chances on doing yard work. So it's your lucky day, you get a helping hand on picking this place up." He swiveled off the bar stool and hopped to the ground.
-
We worked pretty effortlessly, since the house was already kept tidy. Michael and I made small talk, making the time go by faster. Four hands were definitely better than two. We finished around 8 o'clock, both crashing on the couch in the main living room. By this point it was pouring down rain. It could be heard on the roof and it looked like a grey cloud was hovering above the ground outside. Just as the thought of how there was no lightening came, a flash beamed from the windows followed by a clap of thunder that shook the house.
I jumped from the unexpected lightening and thunder, obviously startled. A laugh escaped Michael's lips, causing me to hit him with a pillow closest to me.
"It's not funny Michael!" I said, beginning to giggle at myself.
"Hey! Don't get worked up at least the power-" He was interrupted by the sudden darkness that filled the house. "Well shit, I spoke too soon." He began chuckling, which turned into a genuine laugh.
His laughter was contagious, I couldn't help but begin myself. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, revealing Michael's outline. He shifted on the couch, his knee brushing my thigh.
"Well," he stated loudly. "Let's go find some light, shall we?" He put out his hand, reaching for mine. I nodded my head and reluctantly took it, feeling the warmth of his palm meet the coolness of mine. I let go once I stood up, following him carefully back into the kitchen, making sure we didn't bump into anything. He obviously didn't do a good job.
He hit his hip on the corner of the dining table, causing him to topple to the floor. I tripped over him and fell straight on top of him. He was laid on his side and his elbow was digging into my stomach. We both let our groans at the same time, causing another fit of laughter. He rolled over to where he was on his back, our chests pressed together. Our breath was gone from the amount of laughter making things silent, except for the intake of air between fits.
We calmed down, wiping our teary eyes. I realized the position we were in and I rolled off of him before he took notice. I stood up, straightening myself as Michael did the same.
This time I led the way back to the kitchen, hoping a surprise table wouldn't come in the way again. I pulled my phone from my bag, checking for any missed texts or calls.I had one from my mom reminding me where the key was and one from Lue asking about a party this weekend. My eyes widened when I realized the time.
"Oh my god, it's almost 10 o'clock. I've got to get home." I had a set curfew at 10 and the last time it was broken, my mom was not too pleased.
"You aren't driving back in this storm. No way." Michael's voice turned somewhat stern, not rude, but deeper and demanding.
"How am I supposed to get home then? I have a curfew-"
"Stay." He cut me off, looking serious.
"Stay? Like just sleep here?" With the last words rolling off my tongue, the lights flickered, then turned back on.
Michael squinted his eyes at the sudden brightness, rubbing them afterwards.
"Yeah. My grandma won't be home this weekend, and your mom is working late anyways. They'll understand. Especially with the weather." He had a hopeful look in his eye, I could even tell from across the kitchen.
I knew it would be weird staying the night with a boy I just met today, but considering he lived here and how I was close with Louise, I saw no harm in getting to know him better. Even if that meant staying at his home for a night.
"I mean, I guess. I'd just have to ask." I shrugged, not wanting to make it a big deal.
I noticed Michael's shoulders relax, a small smile creep on his face. I couldn't help but smile back, knowing I'd be spending a lot more time with him.
He definitely had an effect on me. I was never this giddy around people I just met, let alone a boy. Michael was different. I didn't know how and I didn't know why. It scared me to be honest, I had known his for a day and I was already letting him in. I knew things could end up messy, but for some reason I didn't mind. I wanted to know so much about him, starting with why he's here.