"Hello? John, are you home?" Mom said, she sounded sad yet angry. What did he do this time? I quickly dressed in something fresh and rushed down.
"Hey mom, what happened?"
"Do you remember George's boss, Candice?"
"I do; I'll get you some coffee, and then you can tell me all about what Dad did this time."
"Thanks, sweety," she sighed and dropped her heels and coat, letting them settle on the floor.
Usually, she was very particular about being neat and clean, so whatever dad did, it was really bad. Coffee was ready, and I poured her a cup.
"Now, Mom, what happened?"
"So we had the Christmas party just now, you remember right?" I nodded, noticing a shimmer above her head. "That bitch was all over him, he, of course, took it all in feeling like the fucking king of the world I'm sure-"
Man, she is pissed, and rightfully so! That shimmering--what does it say?
"And then... Do I have something in my hair?" She quickly turned to the mirror. " oh god I'm a mess"
"No, mom, you look beautiful," the shimmering brightened. 'Arthealia' it said.
"Arthealia," I said under my breath, letting it roll off my tongue. Time seemed to freeze as she was mid-gesture. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to notice.
"Anyway, she took his hand to get more privacy. We both know what the fuck that is..."
"Arthealia, calm down," I said on instinct; time froze, and I could see her posture change.
"Needless to say, he will come here only to collect his things, and then I never want to see him again." almost completely calm, though there was still hurt in her voice. The shimmering brightened.
"Mom, you are better off without him anyway."
"You shouldn't say that about your dad, young man! But thank you," she said with a little hint of humor in her voice. "I'm going to bed," she continued.
"Me too, I have an exam tomorrow," I replied.
My mind was spinning. What was going on? But as soon as I touched the bed, I went into a deep sleep, waking at 5 a.m. full of energy. There was no way I was falling back asleep, so after half an hour of tossing and turning, I instead grabbed my running shoes and got dressed. It was still dark out when I went out the door, noticing a big moving truck next door. I didn't mind it much and started jogging.
"And I thought I was the only early bird in this neighborhood," the melodic voice next to me said, scaring me enough to almost make me trip.
"Oh... Hey...I'm... Not usually.... Up.... This early.." I said between heavy breathing. Before I look to my side, and almost trip again.
There she was, slender, maybe of Asian mixed descent, a little shorter than him with what I guessed was 178 cm. Packed in a tight sports top were a set of B cup boobs. Her eyes, golden brown, and she had a massive black bun of hair with hints of bright blue leaking out.
"Careful there, haha, I'm Cleo, I want to extend my hand, but I'm afraid to trip you up." She giggled a friendly giggle.
"I'm John... Nice... to meet... you," I breathed. Well done me, fucking things up already.
"Nice to meet you. How about we race up the little hill here? If you win, I'll take you out, deal?"
"Sure... let's do... it" I breathed and started running as hard as I could, the hill wasn't big but pretty steep.
"You cheater, " she says as she passes me with ease, stopping at the top to jog in place. I wasn't even halfway yet, but I didn't let up. Once I reached the top I sank down to the floor. I was completely exhausted.
" Come on... You slowpoke.." Cleo breathed, only just beginning to sweat. "not done already... Are you?"
"No... I... am... com... pletly out... of... energy.." I was barely able to talk at this point. That's when I looked back the way we came and threw myself to the grass. "I didn't... even... make... it out... of... the street." I pointed about 1500 meters down the road just past the moving truck. "See that house... just past the... moving truck?"
"No way!" she said, surprised, and stopped jogging. I expected her to laugh. But she instead sat down next to me. "That means we are neighbors. Too bad you lost; I would've loved to take you out."
"Yeah, rub it in" I half-laughed. We sat and chatted a bit more, you know the basic chit-chat.
Cleo is an accountant, and she's pretty successful too if she can afford that house at her age. She blames it on a "lucky" investment. I wasn't buying it, but why didn't she have the shimmering? Was that just a dream? No, it was too real. Then how does it work? I guess I was deep in thought and didn't notice her working her way into my arm as she sat next to me.
"What are you dreaming about?" she said sweetly, scaring the shit out of me, "see? Completely off the planet" she giggled, and I turned completely red.
I'm a bit slow, she was snuggling me like she was my girlfriend. I mean, if she was, I wouldn't complain, but it is a bit sudden. Besides, blood was rushing to my crotch, making it a bit awkward. So I rushed out of there.
Rushing home with only 30 minutes left for a shower and only a little else--what? I like long showers and need to calm down. I ran downstairs while putting on a jacket.