The Paired Project

Chapter 7 Anyone Home?

My boots made crunching noises on the gravel as I walked down his driveway. This really was an unexpected invitation. I mean, we had barely acknowledged one-another's existence until 2 weeks ago and now I'm going round his house?

I touched my jean pocket and felt for my phone, breathing a sigh of relief once I confirmed its presence. Paranoia had been setting in as I desperately tried to make sure everything ran smoothly: and by that I not only meant the project but also my parents' knowledge of this.

Why the fuck did they have to complicate things even more?

With this tempest of emotion whirling through my head, I pressed my finger on his doorbell.

Seconds after the shrill ring sounded, the door opened revealing the smiling face of a woman. His mum I presumed.

"Hi!" she smiled, gesturing me to come in. "You must be Sami!"

"Hi" I replied shyly as I walked in, not knowing quite how to act around such a happy, cheery person.

Fortunately, just at that moment, Dougie appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing a light blue hoodie and jeans.

"You got here ok?" he asked, walking down.

"Erm yeah" I replied. "I don't live too far away."

"Ok" he nodded.

There was a long pause as the three of us stood awkwardly together.

"This is my mum, by the way" Dougie burst out suddenly, confirming my assumption.

I can see where he gets his curly hair then...

"Call me Lucy" she said.

"It's nice to meet you"

Just then a loud clattering noise sounded from the other end of the corridor. I raised an eyebrow in questioning at Dougie and he replied with a roll of his eyes.

"Erm, Lucy?" came a voice.

With an amused sigh Mrs Olner, or should I say Lucy, went to the source of the noise, but not before waving at us to follow her.

I glanced back at Dougie and he explained, laughing "It's just my dad, he's useless in the kitchen."

We arrived at the kitchen, a traditional style that contrasted the modern look of the rest of the house. In one corner there was a large oven and stove, whilst the cupboards were of dark oak.

And with saucepans flowing out of one of those cupboards, a man stood by and awkwardly observed the mess.

Lucy cleared her throat, which got her husband's attention.

His eyes immediately caught onto me, the stranger in the house. But he didn't frown or stare, no he just smiled and walked towards me.

"I'm Todd" he said as he shook my hand.

"Sami" I smiled back.

"Sorry for the mess" he apologised, scratching the back of his head just like Dougie does. "These cupboards just seem to hate me."

"Or maybe," Lucy said, stepping forwards and placing a hand on his arm. "You just need to spend more time in the kitchen getting used to them."

"Only if you join me" Todd replied, looking solely at her grey eyes.

Parental PDA...

Thankfully, Dougie cleared his throat very loudly, breaking his parents' eye contact.

"Well the house is all your's you two, we're taking Bethany out to the park" said Todd, clapping his hands together.

"My little sister" Dougie said.

"Aww..." I said automatically, and subsequently blushed crimson.

Todd and Lucy chuckled and walked past us into the living room.

"Nice to finally meet you Sami!" Todd shouted back, giving us a wave.

'Finally meet me'?

He told them about me?

Dismissing these thoughts and grabbing my bag, I followed Dougie upstairs as he led me to the door of his room. He looked reluctant as he pushed the door open and I saw inside.

There were posters. And trophies.

Of wakeboarding...

Dougie must have noticed my mouth opening and closing like a goldfish's because he started to explain.

"Erm, yeah..."

Did I say explain? I meant say two inarticulate words.

"You...wakeboard?" I asked even though it was so obvious, so clear.

"Yeah it's kind of a hobby" he muttered, scratching the back of his head in the cute way he always does.

No you don't use words like 'cute' to describe him!

"A hobby?!" I picked up one of his trophies that said National Championships. "Looks like more than that to me!"

He laughed quietly and gestured to a bean bag for me to sit on. I did so and opened my bag to find the work.

"Shit" I whispered.

"What?"

"I left some of my notes at home."

He came and sat on the floor next to me.

"Do you want to ring your parents? See if they can drop it off?" he asked.

I looked at him sheepishly. There was no way I could do that.

"I...erm...no...I..." I mumbled.

He furrowed his eyebrows and asked "What's wrong?"

Could I tell him? Could I tell him about all the pressure, the lies, and the constant nagging? About the inequality, Abbie, and all the pain I have to go through every single fucking day?

For some stupid reason that I can't quite conjure up out of my memory, I felt I could.

So I did.

I told him about the crazy expectations and the favouritism. I explained how they had planned, plotted, contrived, and engineered every aspect of my life without so much as a consultation.

I had never once before expressed my feelings like this, not even to Nadia.

Once I had finished and sat there desperately holding back the tears there was a deafening silence that I could hardy stomach.

"So," I started, my voice suddenly not cooperating. "That's why I chased you up about not turning up at the library. I bet you think I'm so keen and a total annoying geek but I just want a good grade for this."

Then Dougie placed his hand on mine, sending a shiver down my spine. His skin was rough, but his touch gentle. I didn't pull my hand away, but instead turned my gaze from the floor to his face.

"Are you sure it's you who wants that?" he whispered. "Or your parents?"

A flood of realisation hit me like a ton of bricks.

And when Dougie began to lean into me I just couldn't take it anymore.

Our lips were millimetres apart when I leapt up, grabbed my things and ran.

Ran out his room, down the stairs, out the front door, and down the street. Not once did I stop, not even to wipe my tears.

And for the first time in a long time, I didn't give a damn what other people might have thought.

***

If you are screaming:

"OH MY GOD FEELS WHAT THE HELL SAMI!"

then you are not alone.

I am too, and I wrote it.

I hope the cliffhanger and drama inspire you to vote, comment and follow.

Thanks for reading guys.

Kiki out :)