Chapter 2
Seven Main Cafe
The soft knocking on my door stirred me out of my slumber “Oslow, time for you to get moving, if you want to go exploring alone that is, or I will come with you” said Aunt Carol knowing it would wind me up, I rolled under my covers where it was warm, but on second thought I better get going like Aunt Carol said or she will be exploring with me. “I am getting up now Aunt Carol” I replied eager to not have her come with me, but I knew even if she wanted to she could not as she was bound to be flat out today.
After a quick shower I looked at the time, it was 7.40am, why did it have to be so early, I opened my curtains and the sun was shining so that was a good start. The trees leaves were starting to draw colour, as fall was encroaching. The lake sparkled under the sun. And I had not noticed in the night, there was a small island on the lake. Covered by large trees. Be cool to discover that one day. This was by far the best house, I felt at ease here. It just felt different. Like a hidden part of me was stirring, to go out into the trees and get lost and immersed in them.
I grabbed my backpack that was well worn, it was one I insisted to Aunt Carol I did not mind having and I did not want to replace it. It was so comfortable and loose not like those hard-heavy bags you see students struggling with. I quickly made my way downstairs, Aunt Carol must have been up early as she was already dressed, make up on and coffee in hand. “Thanks for the blanket, I must have been so tired from driving” she said making her way to the front door. “Here is a key for you, try and not get lost, I will drop you off in town. I have a few things to sort. I am meeting some prospective clients. And I will grab the shopping. So, make sure you keep your cell phone on loud. She was always reminding me about my phone and how I kept it on silent. I just hated it being on loud as the only time it would ring would be Aunt Carol or someone trying to sell me something from across the other side of the world. My cell was not the newest it was an old flip phone; I liked the keys on it preferred to the touch screen type. It still did all the other things, but it was just easier to use physical keys.
Not that my contact list was huge…and in need of texting other people.
As we drove through the wooded road, I realized how secluded our house was, it was out of the way and quiet. Aunt Carol had her designer sunglasses on stopping the suns that peaked through tree limbs. We rounded a corner it was a straight run to the local town, we even passed Huntsville High School, it gave me a knotted feeling in my stomach. As I was so unsure how I was going to fit in there.
“You can drop me here” I said wanting to just jump out before Aunt Carol decided to tag along, I know she would not, but I worried she would. She still found it hard to let go of me sometimes.
She looked at me, smiled and hugged me, “now make sure you call me when you are finished so I can pick you up, here take this, as I know we don’t have food in the house yet, maybe grab yourself something to eat” she said handing me a few notes of twenty dollar bills.
“er thanks Aunt Carol” I hated taking money off her, I just felt like such a burden. “I will give you a call later”.
I watched as her car drove off into the busy town. I decided to just walk and just see where It took me. The town was very rustic and held traditional roots. It was like a picture-perfect postcard. I looked on into a nearby shop, it was a clothes shop, but with different attire. Not quite like the big branded stuff back in Texas. I suppose people dressed different up here due to the climate and the woodland surroundings. The store person from inside saw me and waved with a cheery smile, this was something I was not used to. Were people just weird or super friendly in Hunstville. If that were back in Texas they would just look on and not even see me.
I casually waved back and returned an awkward smile. I hope I did not have to do this regularly as I would need to improve my smile. The person inside kind of made a puzzled face at my attempt to smile, so I thought it best I should get a move on before they look at me and change their minds and decide I’m the new kid in town who is a creep.
Just as I started to venture down the path a girl rounded the corner out of nowhere so fast that I did not have time to swerve out of her way. I braced for impact as she was not looking where she was going, she was too busy with a phone in one hand and the other holding a coffee.
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‘SPLASH’ went the coffee,
“watch out you idiot” shouted the girl dusting the aftermath off her coat. “what’s wrong with you, you should watch where you are going”.
“me! You came round the corner so fast” I declared at her, trying to hold my ground. She has some nerve blaming me.
The girl looked up at me, and that is when I caved in, like someone had struck me with a love arrow. She was perfection in my eyes, her wavy auburn hair was tied up with a dark green patterned scarf, her skin was fair, but even with me living in Texas my slight tan was not darker than hers. My brown eyes were dim compared to her bright green eyes, but she looked so tired for someone that looked to be my age.
“Sorry I am, for you” I quickly blurted out, oh man that sounded awful, like I cannot even speak English. I blushed and looked away out of embarrassment.
“sorry, what was that?” she replied amused at my silly response.
“I mean, I am sorry I spilt your coffee” I quickly answered,
I could not help but had to take another look of this angel of a girl standing before me,
“so your new around here” she said looking me over, which I was not pleased about, I was wearing my ugly well-worn jeans and a black hoody that said ‘GAMER’, I did not even choose the hoody, Aunt Carol got it for me thinking I was some big gamer, but really I just went on my laptop to read or listen to music while I drew pictures. That is the one cool thing about my laptop it had a digital pen you could draw on the screen with it. Why did I have to look like a slob, I did not even brush my hair or anything. My brown hair was a mess... my fringe kind of just drooped over a part of my eyes.
My heart was beating so rapid at this point, her eyes questioned me, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
“how did you know” I eagerly replied, noting her soft pearly lips of pink. They looked so inviting.
“Because I have not seen you around here and you seem to have come from somewhere warm judging by that tan of yours.
“oh right. Yeah I moved here last night”
“Oh, you’re a fresh one to town, I bet your from…let us say…hmm…Texas? Am I right?”
“yeah…but how did you…” This was weird, how had she guessed that? Like that was either lucky or she was reading my mind.
“Well Oslow if that is your name. isn’t it?
Okay now I was beginning to freak, what is with this town, did she have superpowers or something? But the way she said my name, her accent, her voice, it was like sweet drops of bliss going into my ears. Please I thought, please say my name again.
I kept silent for a moment, still unsure how to respond, she looked at me and realized how puzzled I was.
It says so on your bag right there” she said pointing to the tag that had my address and name on it. I was so embarrassed what type of 15-year-old has his name on a bag, Aunt Carol! She put it on there when we moved to Texas…
I tried to bring some words to my mouth, but nothing would leave my brain to my mouth, I was just standing there like an idiot doing an awkward silence.
She looked like things were getting awkward, “Anyway I am late see you around Oslow from Texas” she said flashing her incredible eyes at me, creasing a smile that seemed so flirtatious or was it just me imagining it…I was feeling so flushed, and so excited.
Before I could even ask her name, she was off rushing past me.
I looked on at this new mystery girl. Her style was different to those back in Texas, she was wrapped up in a green coat. Her long legs were covered by leggings and small shorts.
How could I be so stupid I just scared her off. But it is not like I would stand a chance with a girl of that caliber.
This was the best morning I have ever had! I had what seemed like a conversation with a girl. But who is she? It got me wondering.
I stopped at Seven Main Café on Main Street for breakfast, I again was greeted by the nicest people I have met. Their food was to die for. Seriously have not had food like that in a long time. All homemade. I must bring Aunt Carol here. I sat daydreaming about this mystery girl staring out of the café window. But I also beat myself up inside at how stupid I was just standing there. Good one Oslow I said to myself.
I explored what I could, it was a pretty good town, they had almost everything by the looks of it. I decided to head back and walked along the road past the high school, and all the way to our new house. Aunt Carol was home already unloading some shopping.
“Welcome back Oslow, why didn’t you call me I could have picked you up” she said with questioning eyes, I obviously had a mixed emotion face.
“oh no need, I enjoyed the walk at least I know I could walk home from high school” I said trying to change subject,
“you sure nothing is wrong; you look like you want to tell me something?”
She had figured me out, I was trying my best to not blurt out about the girl I bumped into but thought better of it. It would only give ammunition to aunt carol to use against me for making conversation. I did not mind our small talk, but one with a girl involved may be a bit too much for both of us. And I did not want Aunt Carol to start worrying about having ‘the talk’ with me.
I grabbed what was left in the trunk and carried them in doors.
Aunt Carol looked at me slyly, “Hey Oslow you know you have a smile on your face right”,
Oh man why did I have to be still thinking of the girl I ran into.
“That’s because I really like this house” Phew that was a close one, I hope she bought it.
“See I told you this would be a great place; I had a couple of meeting today and work looks like it will be promising.