“You win some, you lose some, Kaelin. Besides, you might beat her in everything else, but she kicks your butt whenever it comes down to raw speed.” Azura grinned smugly at her friend, who had lost the race minutes earlier.
“I’ll get her someday; you’ll see.”
The two girls continued to walk along the wet sidewalk, enjoying the feel of the rain on their skin. Roselyn had gone her own way a few minutes earlier, leaving a smug Azura and a defeated Kaelin to continue on their trek home. The three were fortunate to live so close to one another. Roselyn was only a block away from Kaelin and Azura’s homes, which were across the street from each other.
“Hey Kaelin,” prodded Azura.
“Hmm?”
“Why don’t you stay over tonight?”
Without hesitation, the taller girl shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
“Yay!” Azura pranced ahead and, walking backwards, continued talking. “Bring that sketch you promised me.”
“I hope you run into something.”
Having completely forgotten the sketch mentioned seconds before, Azura flashed a hopeful smile. “I won’t hit anything. Besides, you’d warn me wouldn’t you?
“…”
“You’re so mean!”
“And you’re very observant,” said Kaelin, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “We just passed your house, smart one.”
Azura paused for an unusually long moment before reacting. “Oh! I’ll see you in a few minutes!” she called back as she ran towards her house.
Kaelin chuckled, having clearly enjoyed every moment of their senseless banter. Her lighthearted mood quickly faded as she walked through her front door. Her household environment was frustratingly unnurturing. After reaching a certain age a few years ago, Kaelin’s parents seemed to stop caring.
Because of the lack of family interaction, Kaelin spent most of her time away from the house. She was often found competing with Roselyn or hanging around Azura’s house, where she was treated as part of the family.
Kaelin felt like a stranger in her own house as she made her way down the halls. Her room was unnaturally clean due to the fact that it was generally unused. She found her sketchpad on the desk on quickly snatched it up before marching out the door.
“I’m going out!” she shouted to whoever may have been in the house.
A faint, “Uh-huh,” came from the kitchen before the front door closed, separating Kaelin from the walls she refused to call a home.
