Tweetie

38

Oscar's home was a generic-looking house at first glance, typical mundane, more for living than growing, however, if you looked closer, you could see the hints of life there. The garden flourished with purples and blues, some pinks and plenty of greens so vibrant it was impossible not to get lost in the sea. There were no weeds between the rocks of the pavement leading to the blue painted door but dandelions were allowed to grow, cut where they obstructed the path but left where they added to it on the outer edges. Watering cans covered in flowers, tennis balls chewed and left to the mud. It was a lively place.

Oscar led the way, the others following carelessly as they dragged their bags behind them, ready to throw them down and collapse. However, Hazel followed behind the group, her eyes carefully taking everything in while walking with uncertain steps. It was strange... Wrong. She was visiting the house of a boy who was one of her suspects... possibly. She felt dirty, like an awful person, a liar.

She was torn from her mind, hearing a deeper voice echo after the sound of the door opened as she stepped in.

"Osc, are your friends here? Is Ryan there!?"

A voice yelled as they entered the house. A young male voice, though, older than they were. Perhaps he was nineteen, maybe twenty. But, it didn't matter as the owner of the voice stepped into view, standing in front of the boys she hid behind. He looked similar to Oscar, but not too similar. They shared the same rounded button nose, however, he seemed to have wider lips than Oscar, slightly darker skin and stood just a little taller.

He didn't look soft, not like Oscar made him out to be. He looked like he could knock her out with just a flick to the head.

"Ryan," he spoke up, turning to the silver-haired boy. "I left the book at my friend's house, can I get it back for you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

"Cool, thanks, man."

They continued to talk, both comfortable with each other. Obviously, the group of friends were close to Oscar's family, close enough to lend books and talk with ease. Hazel had never experienced that type of thing, it was strange to watch.

"Osc, I thought you were bringing your other friend?"

"I did."

"You did?"

They turned, their eyes falling onto Hazel who stood, her fingers fiddling with one another as she realised the attention was placed on her while she glanced around, a little zoned out in the surroundings. She was unsure of what to do. She had never done this type of thing before, hell, she never really had friends before.

"Dude, that's a girl."

As soon as the words left Oscar's brother's lips, Hazel lowered her head, parted her hands and glanced down at her palms. For some reason, she felt as though her hands would be able to confirm that she was in fact female. She was, but she didn't really need her hands to confirm the fact.

"Uh, yeah?"

"I thought-?" His brother stopped himself, glanced at the others, then shook his head. "Well, whatever, I guess. Don't fall down the stairs again."

"Matty, go away!" Oscar yelled out, suddenly struck by embarrassment over his brother's words as everyone turned to him instead. "We're going."

"Yeah, me too." His brother laughed, happy with his successful attempt to embarrass his younger brother. Though, Hazel didn't see the embarrassment in it, obviously. She'd fallen down far too many stairs.

"I'm going out to Liam's house tonight for a campaign," he lifted a pouch, showing something that Hazel didn't understand. A bag full of die? "I doubt I'll be back tonight. Don't do anything dumb. Dad should be back tomorrow with Mister, so keep the house clean. Don't leave out anything he'll chew on."