s e v e n

                                    

                                          
     "Do- Ten- We- Eleven- Have- Twelve- A- Thirteen- Deal- Fourteen!" I grit.
     He nods his head, looking over me once again. Still counting, I look down to see what's so interesting. I'm in my school uniform. Boots, fishnets, cut skirt, button up and blazer. I can't understand what's so appealing. 
     "Sure. You've got yourself a deal. Under one circumstance." He says.
     I nod my head to the stairs, signaling to start the hunt for Ivy and Olive. 
   "My partner lives there. We grow in their yards. Can't take it out of there tho. If you want, you'll have to go in. Under surveillance of me." Cirus points to the glass windows. Across the backward, over the poll, down the slopes, sits the thicket forest. 
     I take the stairs one at a time, thinking over his exception. "Okay, deal. When?" I ask. 
     "Well, I'm grounded currently. So.. in about a couple of months." He ponders. 
     "What?!" I stop in my tracks and turn around to look at him. 
     "What can I say? My parents are as strict as my parents." He laughs. "Let's go find these snakes." He continues up the stairs, leaving me to sit in disbelief. 
     Months? A COUPLE months?!
...
     Silas' car pulled into the garage minutes after I'd put the girls down for their nap. They slept in their beds upstairs, while I lay on the couch, binging The Vampire Diaries. It took me forever to find something to watch. The Hargroves have every streaming service.
     Cirus retreated to his room after the game of tag and left me to look after the children. A part of me yearn for him again. His humor was amazing. 
     Silas emerged through the garage door and hung his keys on the key hanger. He wore seats, a tight T-shirt and some tennis shoes. Fresh out of practice, his hair was wet and probably sticky. 
     "Hi," I say, looking away from the TV.
     "'Sup. Where are the girls?" He says, looking around the living room. 
     "Upstairs. Napping." I reply.
     He nods his head. "What are you up to?" He sits across from me on the sofa and relaxes himself. 
     I point to the TV. "Should you be on the couch sweaty?" I ask.
     He shrugs. "I wanted to talk to you."
     "About?"
     "Us."
     "What 'us'?" I ask.
     "Me and Vanessa are over. She heard about us and three this huge fit. I called her jealous and she stormed out of the lunchroom." He says quickly. While he talks, his eyes blink a lot. Like a lot, a lot.
     "I'm sorry to hear that." I lie.
     "Yeah.. want some popcorn?" His eyes stare into mine as he waits for my response.
     "Sure."
     "Okay, sweet. Let me shower first." He replies, jumping off of the couch.