The Red Room

𝕋𝕎𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕐-𝕊𝕀𝕏

Dusty POV
Tara was saying words that seemed important by the way her eyebrows were pointed down seriously and her hand motions were big and precise. Even Buster looked serious as he nodded along to her message.

I, however, couldn't seem to focus on much of anything. We were all sitting in the kitchen except for my sister who was still outside pouting. Most of us were sitting at the island, but Marlee came in a little late and stood next to my seat instead of taking hers.

This was a problem because I was too distracted to listen to the meeting. She was standing so very close to me and the intoxicatingly comfortable smell of an old library wafted off of her in the best way. Her scent felt like home. She felt like home.

Of course I was home in this house, but the sense of home that came from her was different, more comfortable, like if she left I would be completely lost.

Despite the comfortable feeling, my stomach was taking a roller coaster ride and my heart was beating so loud and fast I was sure everyone in the room could hear it. I glanced up at her beautiful face and she gave a soft smile that made my head spin in circles.

I was lost in the thought of Marlee, so bold, beautiful, and brave, when I heard my name. It took Tara saying it again before my head snapped toward her. "Yeah?"

"Could you do that for us?" Tara asked with her serious eyes.

"Uh..." I said intelligently "sure, yeah." Shoot. I would just have to ask Buster what the heck I'm supposed to do.

Tara sighed with relief. "Thanks, Dust, you're  the best."

I smiled and nodded. What did I just agree to?

I glanced around as everyone left the room to do their own thing and grabbed Busters shoulder before he too could exit the kitchen.

"Hey, what's up?" He asked.

"I, uh, forgot to listen while Tara was talking. What am I supposed to do?" I spoke quietly so no one else would hear.

He shook his head and smiled. "You have got to do something about Marlee, man."

"What do you mean?" My face felt hot.

"Dude, it's totally obvious you're into her." His smiled grew wider and I smacked his shoulder.

"Shh, she doesn't know that." Everyone else in the room had finally cleared out.

He laughed. "Yes she does. Marlee knows everything."

"Okay, you're probably right." I paused and wondered for just a second if maybe Marlee was waiting for me to say something. I shook my head. "I still don't know what Tara asked me to do."

"Oh yeah. You're supposed to talk to Killer about finding Iz and Morgan and bringing them home. Tara misses Iz like crazy and I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get to know Morgan that well. Everyone else agrees that we liked having them here, but no one is finding anyone until Killer agrees to it." He told me.

"Oh man. Why do I have to do it?" I dreaded challenging my sisters judgment on anything.

"Because your her brother and your the least likely to get killed."

"Not true. Peep is the least likely to get killed." I said.

"Whatever, man, you agreed to it." He patted my shoulder and walked upstairs.

I groaned and started toward the back of the house. The closer I got to the back door the more dread filled my chest.

I pushed on the back door and it squeaked open. The smell of grass hit me and filled my lungs as I stepped onto the soft material.