Nykara Page 2

  Alix could hear the sincerity in his voice. “Okay Ben, we’ll take the tour but if I see one hint of a ghost I’m out of here.”

  “Fair enough. Follow me,” he smiled.

  Ben started his tour of the main floor. Everything seemed massive. There was no ballroom as Shay had hoped but there was a dining room that sat 20 people. Alix had never seen a table that big. Everything was so fancy. She guessed elegant would be a better word, but elegant wasn’t a word used very often in Sunset Creek. The kitchen was quite modern considering how old the house was. It had two ovens and a ton of counter space. Alix liked to bake and would love to do it in this kitchen. They went through so many rooms that Alix didn’t have names for most of them. She counted four bathrooms on the main floor alone. They only had one in their whole house. Ben told them that his family had built this house in 1928. They struck it rich in oil and this is where they wanted to settle. Why here? Alix thought. She still didn’t understand why people purposely choose to move here.

  Lost in thought again she didn’t realize that Ben had stopped walking and ran right into him. He grabbed her arms to stop her from falling. Of course, Alix blushed, and Ben smirked. I have to start paying more attention around him she told herself. Ben released her arms. She shivered and swore that she could still feel his hands on her. It was like where he touched her was tingly. So strange she thought.

  They walked to the next room and Alix saw there were two people in it. Must be his parents she thought to herself. They have to be, the family resemblance was striking.

  “Alix, Shay, meet my parents.”

  Shay waved, and Alix stepped closer. “It’s very nice to meet you Mrs …?” Alix realized that she didn’t know Ben’s last name.

  “Please, call me Natalie. We’re not very formal around here,” She smiled at Alix.

  “And you can call me Rick,” Ben’s dad said from the desk he was sitting at.

  Alix looked over at him. He was also smiling. What a pleasant family she thought. Even though she had just met them she instantly liked Ben’s parents. They seemed kind, open and friendly.

  “So, Ben, where did you meet such pretty girls?” his mom asked him.

  “I kind of stumbled on them in the driveway.”

  “We’d thought we would introduce ourselves to our new neighbors,” Alix said. “You might not know this but it’s kind of a big deal that you moved here. You’re going to be the talk of the town for a while. I hope you’re up for it.”

  “Oh, that won’t be a problem for us,” Natalie told her. “We love meeting new people. She turned to Ben. “It’s so nice that you’ll know someone on your first day of school, isn’t it?”

  “Yep, it sure is,” Ben smiled at Alix. “You’re both seniors, right?” The girls nodded. “Awesome. Mom, dad, I’m going to finish showing the girls the rest of the house.”

  “Okay honey. Stop by the kitchen when you’re done. I’ll leave some snacks out.” Natalie told them.

  They walked out of what Alix thought might be the office and headed back to the front door where the beautiful staircase was.

  “Time for the second floor,” Ben announced. “Not too much exciting stuff up here.”

  As they walked up the stairs Shay started giggling. “I feel like I should be wearing a fancy gown just to walk on these stairs.”

  Alix had to admit that the house was a bit intimidating but nothing like she thought it would be. Even though it was huge and nothing like hers, she still felt somewhat comfortable there. She thought it was because Ben and his parents were so down to earth. They made the house less imposing.

  Ben was right. The upstairs was mostly bedrooms, a few bathrooms and a closet or two. They looked in some of the bedrooms, they could be hotel rooms Alix thought. Ben showed them his room too. It was three times the size of Alix’s and he had his own bathroom. That would be so cool she thought. Even though it was big it still looked like what she thought a guy’s bedroom should look like. Sports things and rock bands filled a couple walls. It wasn’t messy. She wasn’t sure if he was always clean or clean because they just moved in. Come to think of it, if they just moved in how on earth was the house looking so perfect? Not a moving box in sight. It looked like it had been this way for years. That was something she was going to think about later.

  “So, that’s the house,” Ben said as they walked down the hall to the stairs. “Let’s go see what my mom left out for us to eat.”

  When they got near the top of the stairs Alix noticed a door that she didn’t see the first time they went by. It was smaller than the rest of the bedroom doors and so close to the stairs that it couldn’t have been a very big room. “What’s in here?” she asked Ben.

  “Um, I’m not sure actually. Let’s check,” Ben tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. He tried again and no luck. The knob wouldn’t even turn. “Hmm, I guess I’ll have to tell my dad to check this out. Old house I guess.”

  They left the small door that wouldn’t open and headed to the kitchen. When they reached their destination, they were tantalized with the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

  “That smells like heaven!” Shay said as she went over to snag one from the plate. “Oh, and they’re still warm.” She took a bite and moaned. “These are fantastic! You have to try one, or ten.”

  Alix just grinned. She knew how much Shay loved her cookies. Alix had the habit of calling her cookie monster until they were thirteen and Shay made her stop. Alix went and grabbed a cookie and took a seat next to Shay at the breakfast bar. Ben took a couple cookies and stood on the opposite side of the counter from them.

  “Mmm, I can’t believe how good these are. I know they’re homemade and not from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. I’m a certified cookie expert you know. How did your mom make them so fast?” she asked Ben.

  Alix noticed that a strange look came over Ben’s face at the question, but it was only there for a fraction of a second and then it was gone.

  “Um, my mom loves to bake,” he said, “She probably made the dough this morning and hadn’t had a chance to bake them. Guess you arrived at the right time.”

  “I don’t care if they fell from the sky, were made by elves or magically appeared on the counter,” Shay said, “I think these are the best cookies I’ve ever had.”

  There was that same look on Ben’s face that Alix saw a minute ago. She couldn’t figure out why talking about cookies was making Ben uncomfortable. She thought about asking him but didn’t feel like she should, after all, they had just met.

  “So, Ben,” Shay started, “do you know where the school is?”

  “I think so. I’m sure we drove past it when we arrived here. Is it even possible to get lost in Sunset Creek?” he said with a smile.

  “Haha, very funny,” she said back to him. “Okay mister smarty pants, since you’re new around here, why don’t you walk with us to school tomorrow? I live just down the street and Alix always comes to my house and we go from there. How about it?”

  Alix gave her the are-you-crazy look. Shay just smiled. She thought it would be great to show up on the first day of their senior year with not only the new kid but the new kid who was also a hot boy. The other girls in their class would be so jealous.

  “I think that would be great,” he noticed Alix looking at the clock. “Do you have to go Alix?”

  “Yeah, actually I do. I should go home and start dinner so that’s it’s ready for when my mom gets home. I try to help out as much as I can to give her a break.”

  “That’s really sweet of you,” Ben told her. “I’ll walk you to the gate. Shay take some cookies for the road if you want.”

  Shay’s face lit up. She grabbed as many as she could fit in her hand. Alix just shook her head and smiled. They followed Ben out and headed toward the driveway. Now that Alix wasn’t so nervous she took more time to really look at the trees surrounding the driveway. She loved nature and always tried to take the time to appreciate it. The tr
ees were huge and evenly spaced. She figured they were planted when the house was built. She was looking up at the branches when something caught her eye. She thought she saw something flying amongst the leaves but when stopped to get a better look but lost sight of it. She started walking and thought she saw it again. She stopped a second time and still couldn’t see it clearly. She didn’t think it was a bird but more like a really big dragonfly. Hmm, strange.

  “Hey Alix,” Shay yelled, “You coming?”

  “Yeah, just admiring the trees.”

  “Admiring the trees?” Ben asked her with a smirk on his face.

  “Yes, admiring the trees. I love nature, and these are some impressive trees. I thought I saw a bird or something in the tops of the trees but couldn’t quite get a really good look.”

  That strange look came over Ben’s face again, but he didn’t say anything. They made their way to the gate with no more strangeness.

  “Hey Ben,” Shay said, “tomorrow morning just turn left out your gate and keep going down the sidewalk. My house is in the middle of the street. We’ll be waiting on the step for you. We leave at 7:30 sharp. If you’re late, you have to find your own way. Fair enough?”

  “Fair enough,” he said, “It was very nice to meet you. I’m really glad you walked through that gate. See you ladies tomorrow at 7:30 sharp.” He turned and started walking down the driveway.

  “Goodbye Ben,” Alix told him, “see you tomorrow.”

  He looked back at her and smiled with a smile that made her blush. Before she embarrassed herself, she turned to start walking back to Shay’s house. She noticed that as soon as they walked through the gate it seemed close on its own.

  Chapter 2

  Alix knew that Shay was talking as they walked back to her house, but she wasn’t really listening. She was thinking about Ben. She had never been into boys, always focused on finishing school and going to college in order to get out of town, but Ben seemed to be stuck in her mind. He was nice, funny, charming, and of course, good looking. And new. New was exciting to her. She didn’t think the fancy house had anything to do with it. There was just something different about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  The next thing she knew Shay was smacking her on the arm. “Hey Alix, have you heard a word I said?”

  “Um … sorry, Shay. I was lost in thought.”

  “Thoughts about Ben I bet,” Shay grinned at Alix. “Want to share those thoughts?”

  “I don’t really know what to say,” she admitted. “He’s nice.”

  “Yes, he is, and don’t forget hot Alix, he’s totally hot. And I think he likes you.”

  “I don’t know about that. He was nice to you too, maybe he’s into you?”

  “No, I saw the way he was looking at you. I’m sure he’d like to take you on a date. Wait and see. I have one of those feelings, and you know not to doubt my feelings on stuff like this.”

  Yes, Alix did know better. Sometimes Shay had a sixth-sense about certain things.

  “Fine, I guess we’ll wait and see. Hey, I gotta go. I really do want to get dinner started before mom gets home.”

  “Okay chickie, text me later. We need to figure out what to wear on our first day as seniors. Later.”

  “Later.” Alix started home, still thinking about Ben, the house, and the very interesting day.

  She got home a few minutes later and went straight to the kitchen. She rooted around the cupboards and fridge and settled on pasta with chicken and homemade Alfredo sauce. Her mom would be home in about 30 minutes and her dad’s schedule varied, so if he wasn’t home for dinner they just saved him some. She put some music on and started the sauce and the chicken. The pasta could wait until her mom was home.

  As she stirred the sauce she thought about some of the unusual things that happened at Ben’s place. The strange sensation she felt as she walked through the gate. The way that the property and house seemed brand new even though they had just moved in that day. The door that wouldn’t open when everything else in the house was perfect. How Ben reacted during the cookie conversation. And finally, the thing she couldn’t quite manage to see in the treetops.

  She was thinking so hard she didn’t hear her mom come home. She yelped when her mom said hi to her as she entered the kitchen.

  “Mom, you scared me. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Sorry honey didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

  “It’s okay mom. I started dinner. All we have to do is cook the pasta and make some salad if you want.”

  “I think your dad will be home soon, so we can all eat together.”

  “That’s good because I have some interesting news to tell you guys.”

  “Is that so?” her mom looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

  “Yep,” Alix smiled, “But I’ll wait to tell dad too.”

  Alix continued to stir the sauce and her mom started the pasta. Her dad got home while they were cooking away.

  “My two favorite girls,” he said, as he walked into the kitchen. He went over to her mom, gave her a hug and kiss then gave Alix a kiss on the forehead. They had always been a close family and showed affection easily. She was lucky to know she was so loved.

  “Smells great in here,” her dad said, “Can’t wait to eat, I’m starving. I’ll just go change and I’ll be back to set the table.”

  This was normal for Alix. When they were all home everyone helped out and dinner was a family affair. She secretly loved it but wouldn’t admit it to anyone. She did have her teenage façade to maintain after all. Her dad returned and set the table while her mom put the finishing touches on the meal. They all sat down and dished up their plates.

  “So, Alix, what’s this very interesting news you have to tell us?” her mom asked.

  “You’ll never believe it. You know that kind of scary place at the end of the street by Shay’s house? Well, people moved in there today.”

  Her parents shared a look like they knew something that she didn’t. She ignored them and continued with her story.

  “Anyway, Shay called me after she saw the moving van leave. I went straight over there and we decided to go meet whoever had moved in. Turns out, it’s a very nice family. They have a boy named Ben who is our age and his parents were super nice. And the house, wow, it’s bigger than huge. Ben gave us the whole tour. It was great. Ben seems like he’ll be a good friend.”

  She decided not to say anything about the strange things she was thinking about before as her parents still kind of had a worried look on their faces.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked them. “It’s not like I went there alone. And this is big news. No one has lived in that house in forever. I think it’s exciting.”

  “Did you feel ok when you were there?” her mom asked her.

  “What kind of weird question is that? Of course, I felt fine.” She felt a little guilty for not saying anything about the strange sensation she felt when she stepped on the property, but her parents were acting a little out of the ordinary.

  They finished dinner without much more conversation. Alix took her plate to the sink and was going to start cleaning up.

  “Alix honey, you made dinner, so your dad and I will clean up tonight.”

  “Okay mom, thanks.” Alix went to her room to text Shay.

  Alix: Let me know when you’re done dinner. I have something to tell you.

  She knew Shay wasn’t allowed to have her phone during dinner, so she’d wait to hear from her. In the meantime, she went to her closet to find something to wear for school. Her first day of senior year was a big deal. She wasn’t a girly girl, but still wanted to look nice. She also knew that if they went to school with Ben everyone would be looking at them. She decided on her favorite jeans, but they were dirty, so she had to do a load of laundry. She gathered up enough for a load and carried her clothes to the laundry room. As she walked passed the kitchen she could have sworn she heard her mom say, “it can’t be time already, she�
�s not even seventeen yet, we need to talk to them.”

  What are they talking about she thought as she put her clothes in the washer. They had to be talking about her. Time for what? Talk to who? The only thing going on in her life was starting senior year and turning seventeen next month. She was confused but didn’t want to confront her parents until she either knew more or they said something to her.

  She got back to her room and there was a text from Shay.

  Shay: What’s up?

  Alix: Something’s up with my parents. They’re acting weird.

  Shay: They’re parents, they’re always weird.

  Alix: Not helpful. I’m calling you.

  Alix dialed Shay’s number. She picked up right away. Alix told her about dinner and the looks from her parents, the questions, and finally what she heard from the kitchen.

  “Okay, I’ll admit, that’s kinda weird. It does sound like they were talking about you, who else would they be talking about? And time for what, talk to who? Definitely strange coming from your parents. They’re totally normal. Now if it was mine, well we know they’re off the wall any anything could come out of their mouths. What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing for now,” she told Shay. “What would I say, I was eavesdropping, and I want to know if you were talking about me? Not sure that would be a good idea. I’m just going to leave it alone unless something else happens. I’ve got enough to think about right now, like senior year, meeting Ben, and planning how to get into college. About that Shay, I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. I wasn’t even sure until this summer. Working for my dad in the office really opened my eyes. I don’t want to be stuck in that place every day. You know as well as I do there’s not much to do here once we graduate. I need to do something more with my life than sit in an office all day.”