The Boy Next Door

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Evan said that like we were the best of friends, this was only a casual meeting. I didn't know if he'd meant to, but just his tone and inflection set my mind at ease and I slowly felt my heart recede to its normal speed.

Madelyn was utterly uninterested in conversation at the table and set to playing with her food to occupy her while we ate. Though Evan chuckled at this, it rather annoyed me, and I tried to convince her to eat so she could go.

Finally I gave up and just ignored her. Neither Evan nor I attempted conversation, instead we listened to the adults talking. That is, until Mom suggested that the three of us go upstairs.

My heart racing, I nodded and put our dishes by the sink. Once upstairs, Madelyn raced off to her room, leaving us in mine.

"So," Evan said, "nice room."

"Thanks." I looked around my normal room, there was nothing that seemed out of place or unusual for a teenage girl in it. Everything was put away in drawers, the closet, or under my bed, and my bed was nicely made.

"Is that my room?" He asked suddenly, looking out my window. Our rooms just happened to be situated so that I could see in his room and he in mine if our blinds were both open. I always made sure mine were closed when I changed.

"Yeah. You didn't know?"

"Hadn't thought about it." He admitted sheepishly. "I knew I could see your room, but I never thought you'd be able to see mine."

I chuckled, a short little laugh that sounded almost like a huff. "It's funny how that works."

Another minute of silence followed. I had no idea what to talk about, or if to talk. Who should start the conversation? Me or him?

When he turned to look at me from looking out the window, I saw him smile. He had perfectly straight teeth, glistening white. I had a retainer that I had to wear that was slowly straightening mine. "I like your teeth."

He laughed then, a short chuckle that he seemed to notice embarrassed me as soon as I realized what he was laughing at. "Sorry, I just--uh...I'm not good at talking."

"Don't worry about it. For the record though, I like your hair."

Rolling my eyes, I fingered a strand. "I try to make it straight sometimes, but it never works. I always end up with a ball of fuzz on my head."

This time he laughed longer. Not too long, but long enough for me to guess that something I'd said he thought funny. "Why?" He asked. "I've seen a bunch of girls try to make their hair look like yours."

I shrugged.

"Your sister--Madelyn, right?--is adorable, as kids go. Carefree."

"That's one way to put it." I snorted.

He frowned. "What's another way?"

"She's always underfoot, trying to irritate me purposely."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"Believe me, it is." I sighed. "She's annoying. Like just now at lunch."

"What, when she was messing with her food?" He asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah."

"Come on." He chuckled. "That was cute."

"No, it was annoying."

Shrugging, he smiled. "It all depends on perspective I guess. I've always wanted a sibling."

"You can have her." I said with a laugh, finding myself slipping into my comfortable tone and actions that were usually reserved for a few special people.

Our conversations during that afternoon became more and more friendly. We discussed the sermon, friends, extended family, things like that. I felt comfortable. It was natural almost. I think it was because he kinda forced conversation out of me when we were alone.

The next day was Monday, the day most people dread every week. I, on the other hand, happened to be one of those few people who loved going to school and learning. One thing I learned was that Evan and I had the same Biology class, advanced. I wanted to become a vet when I grew up, and this would get me there.

I was hurrying down the the halls, trying to get out of everyone's way as quickly as I could. "Oof!" I fell to the ground.

"Sorry!" Evan exclaimed, dropping to his knees to gather my books. Evan? I gasped and began grabbing them from his hands. Couldn't it have been anyone else? Someone I didn't know?

"No--no, it's fine." I moved quicker then, desperate to get away. When I glanced behind me, I could tell he was confused.

I couldn't find Brianna at lunch, so sat alone.

As I watched the commotion around me, I saw Evan walk over to me and some guy sitting a few feet over. I ignored him. I didn't want to say something stupid and be embarrassed.

"Mr. Walker, please tell us--" the teacher called on Evan when his hand wasn't raised. I smiled softly from my seat; Evan didn't know the answer and I did.

When Evan didn't know, he called on me. "I--Sir--do I need to?" My cheeks were flushed red, I didn't mean to stumble across my words like that.

"Miss Jameson, you are my best student and this is a difficult question for most. Yes, I'd like for you to answer."

"Oh." My blush deepened, but I caught Evan's eye--I was seated two rows over--and steeled myself. I would answer and show him I wasn't afraid to speak. My answer was perfect, from what I gathered, and I didn't backtrack or hesitate in anything I said, it was straightforward. I was proud of myself.

He nodded. "Very good."

I caught his eye again and narrowed my eyes before turning away.

This was our last class of the day, and I felt someone's eyes on me as we packed up.

"Hi," Evan said as he walked up to Brianna and I. "Sorry, I couldn't find you at lunch."

Brianna shrugged and smiled. "I hear you two have finally met."

I glanced at him and shrugged. "I guess."

"Meg, Evan's my boyfriend." My eyes grew really wide.

"You never told me you had a boyfriend!" I hissed. Evan smiled and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"I decided it was best for you to actually meet him before I told you."

"Yeah, I'm right here." He said, eliciting a chuckle from Brianna. "Since you both live near me, could I give you a ride home?"

"Sorry, I drove here," she responded. When she winked at me, I began pleading with her in my mind that she wouldn't do what I thought she was about to do. "Maybe tomorrow. But Meg doesn't, she could ride with you."

"Uh, yeah, sure." I agreed reluctantly, making sure no one but the three of us heard.

"Megan," Evan said, cutting me off from laughing at something I'd just seen on our way back.

"Yeah?"

"Why were you ignoring me during school?"

Suddenly I turned from looking at him to looking at my hands and didn't say a word.

"Megan?"

"We're here. Thanks for the ride." I jumped out and raced to my house as quick as I could.

"Wait, Megan!" He shouted from next door. I stopped halfway across my drive and glanced back. It couldn't hurt to let him get out another question. "Did I do something to offend you yesterday?"

A grimace and look of pain crossed his face as he asked, and I'm sure mine looked the same. "No." With that, I rushed inside.