AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The smell of gunpowder lingers in the air. Cole and Finn had been shooting off firecrackers all afternoon. Abram coming home with a vehicle full of fireworks the other night. Giving Finn the small bundles of red tubes filled with explosives as a present.
“They’re inside,” Lorna hollers. Her hand resting on her forehead. Shielding her eyes from the sun. Her thick, white-rimmed glasses were already doing a fair job of covering most of her face.
I had to force myself not to laugh as I trailed behind Cole and Finn into the house.
She looked ridiculous. Her hair perfectly styled. Thrown up into a ponytail with a large colorful silk scarf draped over her head. She was every bit trying to look an heir’s housewife and failing miserably.
Finn charged past as she was handing Cole his ice cream. Something tucked under his arm running back outside before she could see.
She hollers but both boys sprint off in fits of muffled giggles.
Clicking her tongue in haste, Lorna closes the freezer. Her face askew in a faux sadness that was so badly faked even a goldfish would have known she was lying.
“Sorry dear, looks like Cole must have gotten the last one.” Keeping her fingers gripped on the handle so I couldn’t check for myself.
Smiling sweetly, I downplay my disappointment. “That’s alright. I can wait until next time.”
If I continued to not cause a fuss then maybe, Abram would let me stay after the summer was up. I had to try even if it meant dealing with more of Finn and Cole’s games.
At the Casper’s I didn’t have to worry about taking care of my mom. I didn’t have responsibilities. I could hang out and read all the books I wanted. It was like a dream.
Even if the book selection at the Casper’s had been slim. Fewer than even what I had back at my house. Most of mine, overdue library books I had forgotten to return before I left. Whoops!
Luckily, I’d made a new friend. He was new too just moving in a few weeks ago.
I had been wandering one of the trails behind the house when I ran into him. He told me his name was Eli. He wasn’t like Cole or Finn, he’s nice.
We became fast friends after he mentioned he had a whole slew of books back at his house. I liked him instantly after that.
This week’s fast becoming one of my favorites. I had only a few chapters left before I’d return it to Eli and swap him out for another at our usual spot later today.
Looking over my shoulder, I don’t spot either of the boys where they were before. Their leftover fireworks neglected in the grass.
Dread settled in my gut. My eyes moving in a frenzy around the yard. This wasn’t good.
My muscles locking in place when I spot them. Hunched under the same tree I had been sitting under before coming inside. I inhale my book.
The sun boils my back as I take off in a sprint. A flock of hair the color of golden wheat chasing behind me.
The red phosphorus sparking to life as Finn lights the matchstick against the box. The glowing light reflects in his hazel eyes as he holds it in front of his eager face.
They had been sharing a lighter before. This must be what he had put under his arm.
Panting and out of breath, I reach for it hastily. “That’s mine!” I yell. Shuffling my feet. “Give it back, you guys are so immature.”
“I’m halfway to thirteen.” Finn balks, peeved. Shoving me away.
Cole sneers, jutting out his chin. “Only adults can play with matches. Not little girls.”
Finn nods his head in agreement and I want to punch them both in the arm for being jerks.
“You’renotan adult!” I say in a huff.
The two of them look at each other, expressions turning mischievous. Their faces a perfect mirror image of evil and destruction. Blended into perfect flawlessness.
“I’m more of an adult than you,” Cole snits.
My eyebrows jump to my hairline. The ridge of my lip thinning out. Not convinced.
