She Never Came

1st chapter of my book, Faery.

It all started that day. That one day a week ago at quarter to five, the day she came. Freya thinks it’s stupid of course. She thinks everything I do is stupid, come to think of it. It’s not necessarily true, I think. Admittedly, there are some pretty stupid things I have done, and will do, which you are about to find out.

                But the thing Freya thinks is stupid is the important thing. It actually is pretty stupid, and many people will never understand it, but I do, and I want to make sure you understand it as well. As you are soon to find out, the stupid thing plays rather an important part in this story and if it never happened the following events would be even scarier than they should have been.

                Now, onto the stupid thing. Every day at quarter to five for the past week, a girl (a very attractive girl, I might add,) jogs past our London house at 4:45 on the dot. Now, this may be seen as strange, but compared to what’s going to happen next, it’s nothing. It all started last Saturday, when I was ‘sketching’ by my windowsill. I had been on an artist’s block, something that happens to talented artists (like myself) when they can’t think of anything to draw and all their drawings turn out rubbish.

                So, my paper was blank and I was thinking hard, when something out of the window caught my eye. More accurately someone.

                 She was gorgeous. Long, straight, pale blonde hair flowed neatly down her slim and curvy back, and her fringe was gripped back to reveal her pretty, heart-shaped face. Her skin was pale, yet in a healthy kind of way and she had full, naturally red lips and a slight flush to her cheeks. She looked up giving me a clear view of her big, hazel eyes and long lashes and threw me a smile and a little wave. Normally I would have waved back, but all I managed to reply with was sticking up a limp hand and spouting complete nonsense. Then she turned the corner and I sank back into the windowsill sighing dreamily, with, as Freya described it, a ‘lovesick’ smile plastered on my face.

                That’s when Freya thundered up the stairs like the annoying, little eleven year-old sister she is and stomped into my room. “Nathan, I-” she started, but stopped when she saw me. I couldn’t tell because my brain wasn’t functioning properly at the time, but I can guess she rolled her eyes. “I actually wanted to come up here to see whether I could borrow that book you’re reading, but your behaviour is so strange I must ask; what are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I replied dazedly.

                She grabbed a pillow off my bed and chucked it at me, snapping me out of it. “Alright, alright, what do you want?”

“Why were you acting like that?”

“Acting like what?”        

“Well, you seemed pretty lovesick when I entered, and I doubt any girl would want to climb up the wall to see you. Besides, when it comes to girls sneaking through the window for some romantic meeting with a guy, most of the time it’s the other way round. Really proves your manliness by having girls come to see you. Then again, you wouldn’t be strong enough to haul your immense body weight up to some poor damsel’s room. So let’s ju-”

                “Alright!” I cut her off loudly; I was fed up with her rambling. “And I’m not fat.” Well, at least I think I’m not. I play tennis at school, and I’ve always thought I’m in pretty good shape. Then again, Freya was eleven and she was my sister, and siblings have a thing for calling their poor, older siblings fat. “What do you want?”

“My friend wants to borrow that book you’re reading, but I guess you’re busy. She did give me five quid to give you for it, but I’m just going to walk out because you don’t seem to be telling me what you were doing.”

“Make it ten, and I’ll give you information and the book.”

“£5.50.”

“8.”

“6.”

“7, take it or leave it.”

“Done.” And she dug her hands into her pockets, drew out a fiver and a couple of coins and stuffed it into my outdrawn hand. I smirked, tossed her the book which landed with a thud at her feet, and turned back to my sketchbook. “My favourite colour is green. Goodbye.”

“What?” she cried, outraged. “You told me you’d tell me why you were acting like that!”

“No, I told you I’d give you information. My favourite colour is green. That’s information, therefore it counts. Now go away.”

“That’s unfair! I... ugh! You’re horrible!” she stomped her foot.

“Aren’t I just? But...” she paused, turning round to hear what I had to say. “If you give me another two quid, I’d be willing to tell you.”

                “Are you serious? Do you really think I’d pay good money to hear why you were acting like that? You’re crazier than you look!”

“Whatever. As I’m not the evil, sick and twisted, manipulative being you are, I’ll tell you.”

“Really?” her eyes lit up.

“I saw...” I paused, pondering on whether to tell her or not. “A girl jogging past.” I finished lamely.

“Really? Is that it?”

“A very... a very attractive girl, jogging past.”

                A mischievous smile spread across her face. “Oh? So Nathan, tell me, what did this very attractive girl look like?”

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. “Umm... she was pretty?” Freya burst out laughing, doubling over to contain her hysterics.

“Oh, you have got it bad!” she giggled, chuckling under her breath. “Nathan’s got a girlfriend! Nathan’s got a girlfriend! Nathan’s got a girlfriend!” she sang cheerfully, dancing round my room with her frizzy black hair jumping up and down on her head.

“Hey! It’s not funny. And she’s not my girlfriend, I’ve only seen her for thirty seconds at the most from about 6 meters distance through a glass window! I don’t even know her name!”

“How can this not be funny? You’re in love!” she said, before turning round abruptly and skipping out the door, singing her ‘Nathan’s got a girlfriend’ song all the while.

                I heaved a sigh and looked at the blank page of my sketchbook in my hands. My mind emptied once again.

               

Anyway, that was a week ago. The day after that, I ran up to my bedroom at quarter to five, pressing my nose against the window to see if she would come again. And she did, at exactly quarter to five. I called Freya up and she took great pleasure in seeing my ‘girlfriend’ while it lasted, which was the most of five seconds, before she shrugged and left.

The day after that, the girl came again, although Freya didn’t come up. After all, now the excitement has died down, she thought it was ‘stupid’.

                The girl came after that and after that and by then I had settled into a routine. Come back from school, be doing random things, look at clock on wall, see time, run upstairs and watch from window. And that was pretty much the highlight of my day. This happened for seven days, and the routine had never been broken; until today.

                I was watching TV, but I kept glancing at the clock on our mantelpiece. My whole being twitched with anticipation. I had decided to pluck up enough courage to say ‘hi’ today, to actually talk to her. Nerve built in my body. Freya had noticed this; anyone could tell I was excited by the way I kept looking around anxiously. “What are you doing?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

                 I sighed. I was not in the mood to explain to Freya the fact I was looking so forward to seeing the Girl. “It’s not about seeing that girl again, is it?” Freya asked, looking at the clock with realisation. “’Cause to be honest, you’re getting obsessed.”

“I am not!” I protested; after all, it was unfair, however true.

“So that is it, then?” she smirked. I cursed myself. “What makes today so different from yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that, etcetera, etcetera?”

                I felt my cheeks grow a bright shade of pink. The corner of Freya’s lips turned upwards and became a smug smile. “Finally going to go out and say hi, are you? I wouldn’t advise it, you know. Wouldn’t want that face of yours to scare her off, would you?”

                I pouted. “Stop being so mean. And yes in fact, I am going to say hello. I think after only seeing her from my bedroom window for this long, it’s time to meet her in person.”

                Freya rolled her eyes and turned back to the TV. “Whatever you say, big guy.”

I looked back up at the clock. It was now 4:42, so I decided to get up. I picked up the remote from the table and switched the TV off. Freya protested, but I ignored her and made my way to the front door. Grabbing my coat off the rack, I ran a hand through my tousled, black hair to calm my nerves. It was Autumn, so it was pretty chilly outside, and crisp, golden leaves that had fallen from the trees danced through the breeze along the ground. I gently opened the door, shut it behind me and leaned against our wall. Then, I waited.

                And waited. And waited. And waited. I dug my hands deeper into my pockets and watched my breath puff out in front of my face. Had I been able to see myself, I swear my face would have been blue. I waited some more. I couldn’t tell, but I knew it was over five minutes. It’s ok. I thought. She’s probably just late or something.

                But she never turned up. I waited a very long time and by the time I glanced at my watch, it was five past five. Eventually, I gave up. Sighing in defeat, I turned and walked solemnly back to my door. The day I finally decide to go outside and speak to her, was ironically the very day she didn’t turn up. She never came. I gingerly reached out my hand towards the door and was just about to step inside when I heard someone in the distance shout “Stop!” Shaken, I abruptly turned around to face where the voice had come from.

                A figure was running toward me, just as rain started to pour, pounding it’s droplets against the ground.  I squinted my eyes. As the figure came into view, I practically jumped out of my skin when I realised that it was the Girl. She had come! She ran up to me and tried to speak, but her voice was taken away by her heavy, laboured gasps. She panted heavily and leaned against her knees, before mouthing something like, ‘one sec’.

                I just nodded, staring confused and awe-struck at this girl gasping before me. “Are... are you ok?” I gathered up the courage to speak. She nodded. It was a while before she regained her breath. She stood up and brushed down her trousers, before looking at me in the eye. She had a strong aroma of the sweet smell of coconuts.

“Nathan?” she asked me.

“Yes?”

“Nathan Foster?”

“Uhh, that’s me!” I chuckled nervously. The Girl sighed with relief.

“Oh, thank God!” she smiled. “Levi would’ve killed me had it been the wrong guy!” she said, somewhat to herself. I was getting confused.

“Wrong guy? Wh-what?”

She stared into the bleak sky. “And now, we wait.” She said, looking around as if searching for someone. I nodded, too shocked to speak.

                After a while, one of many people passing by caught her eye and she shouted out, “Levi! Over here!” The person started jogging towards us. As it got closer, I got a better view of it. It was a guy, a teenager, a good bit older than me and the Girl, (I’m thirteen.) He had messy, copper coloured hair and what girls would describe as a ‘handsome’ face. He had a tall, strong frame. Like me, his hands were in the safety of his warm pockets in his long winter coat and round his neck was a dark, red scarf.

                “Hazel! Have you got him?” he yelled across the distance. The girl, Hazel yelled back a reply. Then she turned to me and held out her hand.

“Hi. I’m Hazel by the way.”

“I gathered.” I took her hand and shook it gently. Levi ran up to us and placed a hand on Hazel’s shoulder.

“Hi. I’m Levi, and I guess you’ve met my sister?”

                I nodded slowly, unsure of what to do. Levi turned to Hazel. “Are you sure this is the right guy?”

“Yes... I think. He says his name is Nathan Foster, anyway.”

                It was just then I noticed they both had long, heavy-looking cylinder-shaped bags slung over their shoulders. “Mind if we come inside?” Levi gestured towards our door.

“Yes.”

“Yes, as in we can come in, or yes as in you mind?”

“Yes. I mind.”

Levi sighed. “We’ll wait out here. Can you go and speak to your mum, please? I’m sure she’ll make you understand.” He explained.

                Irritated, I mumbled my agreement and headed inside. Shouting, ‘Mum!’ as I walked, I eventually found her in the kitchen.

                Pamela Foster was a single mum; she and my father divorced shortly after Freya was born. I can’t remember anything though. She was always bringing home boyfriends, but never got into a serious relationship with one, so Freya and I never bothered to get to know them. We had a pact however, that if she ever had a boyfriend that lasted longer than six months, we would make an effort to get to know him, but the record at the moment was 4 months, so no hopes there.

                It’s odd though, because I look nothing like my mum. I guess I always took after my dad, with my olive skin, forest-brown eyes and messy black hair, but Freya looked nothing like me or my mum, so family’s pretty strange with us.

                So other than that, Pam Foster was pretty much the same as any other mum. She made some killer lasagne though. “There’s some strange people outside and they want to see you. I have no idea what the heck is going on, but you better come outside.” I said, exasperated. Without a word, she wiped her hands on her apron, and bustled me outside the door. She froze when she saw who was standing outside. Hazel and Levi froze as well, before simultaneously straightening up and nodding their heads. I felt like I was in the middle of some sort of unspoken agreement. “Is... is it time?” Pam asked, her voice breaking.

                “I’m afraid so, Ms. Foster.” Levi said, nodding sadly. Pam clutched her chest, taking deep breaths. I just stood there, utterly confused, with no idea what on earth was going on and wondering what the ‘time’ was and why my mum was so upset because of it.

                Pam regained her composure. “I-I’ll go fetch Freya.” She said, choking back sobs. Rain was pelting it down now, a thick wind picked up and whistled through the air. I turned to face Hazel and Levi, who were staring at their shuffling feet guiltily, not meeting my gaze.

Anger burned inside me, as the wind whipped by soaking hair across my forehead. “So that’s it then? Just, what are you doing? Who do you think you are? What gives you, the right to make my mum cry, how do you know us, and why are you in our lives? Why can’t you just go?” I accused, glaring them both in the eye.

                Hazel came up and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It’s ok. Everything will make sense soon.” She promised. I was beginning to like her less and less. I shrugged her hand off my shoulder.

“She’s right. There’s no need to hate us.” Levi added, looking at me seriously.

“Fine.” I snapped, looking up at the older boy. “As long as you promise to explain everything soon.”

                Levi nodded. “Promise.” I looked down at my feet and sighed.

“Sorry.” I said.

                We were interrupted by a voice behind me whining, “Why, Mum? It’s cold outside!” Freya was being pushed through the doorway by Pam, obviously against her will. She stopped thrashing when she saw Levi and Hazel. “I... hi?” she said, confused. Then she awkwardly hid behind me. “Who are they?” she whispered in my ear.

“Umm.... I’m not entirely sure... they’re called Hazel and Levi though.” Freya nodded and gave them a shy wave. Levi smiled and waved back, amused by Freya’s shyness. Mum rushed up to me and hugged me tight. “Be safe, ok?” she murmured, her voice lost in my hair. She pulled away and smiled sadly, before squeezing Freya tightly. “Look after your little sister, Nathan. And take care of them,” she said to Levi. I had no idea what was going on.

                “I know how you feel. But make life easier and go along with things, will you?” she asked, looking me and Freya sternly in the eye. “It will make everything simpler. Don’t worry kids, everything will make sense soon.” She smiled, the tears gone.

“Umm, what’s happening?” I asked.

“It’ll be fine!” she said, obviously making an effort to steer the conversation away from her having to explain things. “You’ll be okay.”

“What, so you’re just letting us be taken away?” I said, as Hazel tugged against my sleeve.

“You’re in good hands. You’ll see me again. Someday.”

“What kind of mother are you?” I yelled, watching helplessly as we were pulled along the dark, London streets away from home, everything we knew and thought was right, in the rain. That was when things started getting really weird.

Author's Note

1st chapter up! Please review and tell me what you think! :)

Reviews

[Rachie B]

This is great!!! Please get the rest up soon :)