Clayton
Standing before Elsie’s house, I have followed every trail I took back home and memorized the way. It won’t be the last time I visit her.
Icraveto be near her.
I walk around the house, it’s well constructed but it’s definitely built by a strong mind. With her father’s broad build, I’m sure he built this house himself, maybe his wife helped him too. She didn’t flinch when he hugged her with Elsie.
Happy family.
Maybe I won’t be part of their family but I definitely will be the best friend for Elsie.
The brick walls of the house scratch the palm of my hand as I run my fingers along the rectangle shapes.
No light is coming from any window. I can’t ring the bell, what would they think about me?
Hi I’m Clayton and I met your daughter and can’t seem to wait till another day to see her.
I’m her new friend, I saved her from the bridge.
Can I please stay here cause I don’t wanna go back home?
I approach the living room window and the curtains are shut. Reaching forward as I try to open it but it doesn’t budge.
I try the back door and it’s also locked.
I zip open my backpack and reach inside till I feel the bobby pin I stole from my mother’s drawer.
Picking locks is the least harmful thing people do in this town. I insert it and move it around carefully and precisely. A click sound echoes as I grin and wrap my hands around the handle.
The door creaks open as I step inside and shut it gently. Silence fills the space but not the kind that makes you feel eerie, It’s comfortable.
I walk inside and feel the fabric of the couch, it’s so soft. I lean my head down and rub my cheek on it. The picture frameson the walls beside the staircase grab my attention as I step onto the stairs and look up.
A picture with Elsie’s parents looking younger as her mother wearing a beanie and a sweater that swallows her body wrapping her arms around her husband who is matching with her winter clothing and his arms are around her waist looking at the camera with a boyish grin.
Another one with her mother pregnant and lounging on a chair, probably taken by her husband.
Another one with her father holding a hammer in a hand and a pencil behind his ear in the woods.
I keep taking the steps one at a time and see every picture. Each of them is ordered like their life growth and the last one makes me smile, tilting my head as I inch closer to get a better look.
It’s Elsie screaming in laughter as she is sitting on her father’s shoulder as her mother looks up at her covering her mouth laughing, behind them is a campfire.
Every inch of this house is surrounded by warmth. My hand itches to take the picture with me so I could have something to look back on when Elsie gets scared of me and realize that I have broken into her home because I just want to see her again.
Stepping onto the top of the stairs, there is a small living area and a bookshelf. The walls are painted dark grey but it does not ruin the colorful spirit of the home.
A hallway is at my left as I walk through it. Two doors appear in the darkness, one on the left and the other at the end of the hallway facing me. The door is painted light pink with ugly white Daisies spread all over the harsh wooden surface.
Elsie manages to paint her lightness through everything harsh.
Anticipation pulls me towards her door but I stop beside a slightly open door, the streak of moonlight splits onto the carpented hardwood floor. Tilting my head as I look inside. Two figures lay down, arms tangling as her parents fall asleep peacefully. Unaware that their daughter’s new friend just barged in the only safe place he discovered.
The floors creak underneath my feet as I step back, breathing hard.
Why am I doing this? They don’t deserve that I barged into their home.
I should head back. But my legs don’t push me towards the staircase, I look back to the pink door.
