Chapter 1: Window shopping

Diana

It's been three days, fifteen hours, and thirty-three minutes since my elderly neighbour, Nancy's grandson arrived. Ever since I saw him get off his black Harley Davison motorcycle, I knew I was in trouble from the way my heart began to beat faster than a theatrical drum, pounding during suspense.

The moment he freed his beautiful blond hair from the helmet, I felt this great need to pack my things and move into his cool black helmet. Unfortunately, that was not an option. My point is, I was so attracted to him immediately I laid my eyes on him in ways I had never felt towards all the boys I had crushed on since I began to have such fleeting feelings. It was quite disconcerting, but I couldn't find it in me to care.

Unlike me, my cousin Flavia had gone to introduce herself to him the same day she saw him. I also wished I could have been just as bold to follow her example, but the saying "a leopard can't change its spot" rang true in my case. I just couldn't muster enough courage, both internal and liquid, liquid being my fruit concoction, to go and do the same thing.

It was no secret in our little town, that I was unable to do what most of my mates did with ease. I was shy around people, especially the ones within my age bracket. I never could get my tongue to speak around them and forcing it always ended with me saying something stupid or weird. Most kids avoided me like I had a viral disease, and bullies probably would have dealt with me if my cousin hadn't been on the top of the food chain in school.

Luckily for me, I was in my senior year, meaning soon, I would be saying goodbye to the institution of doom called High school. I just couldn't wait to say goodbye to the whole thing. The only thing I would miss was my time with my crazy besties, Jane and Martin. I wouldn't be saying goodbye to them, as we planned to leave town together, to go to college in Newyork.

As I kept ruminating on the couch overlooking the window where Nancy's grandkid was busy chopping wood, his black singlet hugging his upper body, thanks to the sweat the hot sun forced it to produce, my dog, Walter, jumped on me, drawing my attention from the man I was ogling.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" I asked as I patted his neck, running my hands over his back as I kissed him.

He tried to lick my face but I moved it out of the way, as I didn't want to be slobbered on after my shower. Walter, known for his stubbornness, continued to follow my head, wanting his tongue to touch my face, which made me laugh out loud. I turned to look back out the window and found Nancy's Grandson staring my way. Immediately, I closed the curtains and bent down, allowing my hands to be stained with dog saliva as I covered Walker's mouth to prevent his overexuberant bark.

"Shhh! Or else I won't buy you the dog treat you love so much." I threatened. He reduced his yapping, but I wasn't satisfied with it.

"I also won't get you the toy you want, if you don't keep quiet," I said again, my stare unwavering. Walter, having got my message, put his tail behind his legs and kept quiet, giving me a hurt stare. I didn't let myself be fooled by his attempt to get me to pity him.

"It's not going to work, Walter. You have to learn who the boss is and that's me."

He climbed off me instantly and strolled to the other side of the room and dropped on his rug, turning his face away from me. With Walter gone, I was able to feel mortification at being caught watching my neighbour. And I had to be true to form and do something like draw the curtain when I could have pretended I was looking at something else or just walked away.

«You seriously need help, Sis.»

I heard my younger brother say in my head, and I groaned. My dead younger brother, Matthew, would always pop up in my head and leave a comment, sometimes, he would converse with me. It was what brought me comfort ever since his death. He promised to never leave me alone and he never did.

"I think it's better this way, Matt. It seems like Flavia likes him already."

Since I was alone at home, I spoke out. Walter scoffed at my excuse and I felt the need to throw a pillow at the dog.

Even Walter knows you are lying to yourself. Matt continued and I saw Walter do something that resembled a nod. Walter had been Matthew's dog before he died, so sometimes I felt he too could feel Matthew's presence or listen to our conversation.

"Is it true, Walter? You also think I am lying to myself." I said to the dog but he ignored me and I hissed at him.

It was the truth when I said Flavia was crazy about him. He was all she spoke about to her friends on the phone, to my aunt, and to herself when she was making up. It was the new favourite topic in the house. Every time it was "Adam this. Adam that." So I couldn't just go and take him away from her- not that I had the resources, talent or beauty to pull it off.

«You sell yourself short, Diana. Besides I didn't talk about you being his girlfriend, you can be his friend instead.» Matthew said. Walter, God save that dog from me, scoffed again as if disagreeing with Matt.

I bared my teeth at the dog, growling for good measure, but he gave me a blank stare that told me he wasn't the least bit scared of me.

«Just try sis. Who knows what might happen if you go and talk to him? He could end up being a friend to you, or more.»

The prospect of going to talk to Adam was weirdly exciting, and I began to create a plan to approach him so I could introduce myself. Gently, I eased a side of the curtain open and felt my stomach fall, all excitement fading away as I watched my cousin, God only knows where she came from, touch his arm seductively. He threw back his head, laughing at whatever it was she said. They weren't alone though, as her friends, Harmony and Beatrice were with her. From the looks on their faces, it was obvious that they also found him attractive, but they kept their distance out of respect for Flavia.

The look of pure enjoyment on his face was enough for me to throw in the towel and wave the white flag. There was no way Adam would look my way when my bombshell of a cousin was in the running. It was like asking a boy to pick between a Benz and an extremely old Volvo. He would not give the Volvo a first thought, not to talk of a second thought.

"Game over," I muttered, feeling sad.

Walter rolled his eyes at me, turning his head away from me like I bored him to death and he would rather watch the wall. And I could feel in my bones that Matthew did the same thing too.