Lost in The Devondale House

Chapter 2

After classes, Emma meets Theo and I at our lockers. We all had training starting in a few minutes. Emma and I with cheering and Theo with football- he's convinced he can get a big scholarship not that he needs it.

"There's a big back to school party tonight. We should go." Emma tells us excitedly a jump in her step.

Theo yawns loudly. He just came out of a double period advance math class. "I could use a night of fun."

"Clearly. Why would you take double math?" I comment pulling out my training bag from the lockers.

He shrugs sleepily. "My dad has very high expectations."

"No kidding. You're taking all of the advance classes." Emma says looking at Theo's schedule with a shudder.

"Addie is taking them as well." Theo adds closing his locker and leaning against it tiredly.

"Not all and only to appease my overachieving mother." My mom and Theo's dad were similar when it came to our future. Both wanted us to attend the best university. "You guys know what she's like."

Emma blanches. "Good thing I don't have parents."

I blow out a breath and take my best friend's hand. "Oh, sweetie. No."

She merely grins. "What? My grandma isn't pushy and demanding."

"What are your plans after high school, Emma?" Theo asks stirring us towards the gym. Personally, I haven't thought of what I would do after high school. I wasn't like Theo who has so many goals for himself. In fact, I was the opposite. I lacked goals. The only goals I have are what my mother gave for me.

"I'm... uhm going to take care of my grandma, community college and maybe join a small organization."

"Organization? Is it something my mom started?" I ask smiling at a few people that waved at me. Theo openly ignores anyone that waved at him. In our small town he was a sort of celebrity with his famous mom and his rich father. No one waved at Emma. People are too afraid to make eye contact with her.

Emma merely laughs. "No. Nothing like that. It's not at this town."

"Vague." Theo comments with a shake of his head. "You're always so sketchy."

"It's complicated." She argues crossing her arms across her chest.

"What Theo means to say is that he'll miss you when he's off studying to be the next president or something." I explain defusing their tension yet again. It wasn't that they didn't get along. They did... on special occasions.

Theo's grin is infectious as he leans down to press a kiss on my forehead. "Is that before or after I become an astronaut?"

"You're ambitious. We get it."

-

I like cheerleading for many reasons. First, the uniforms always look great. Second, complicated routines and the competitiveness with it. Finally, the teamwork. There's something about working as a team and relying on your teammates that I truly enjoy.

It's an added bonus that my mom used to be team captain when she went to this school and is extremely proud I'm part of her old team.

"Good work today girls!" Emma says from her spot at the front. She's the captain and is really good at it. "Now get out of here and see you at the party tonight."

I grab my towel and wipe my sweat. "What time is the party again?"

Emma rolls her eyes already knowing where I was going with the conversation. "Late enough that you can still get your evening jog in. Theo said he'll pick you up after."

Jogging twice a day is a habit I got from my dad. Before he passed, we used to jog together everyday. Now that's he's gone, it's one of the ways I get to feel close to him.

It was our thing.

Was.

"Thanks, Emma. I'll see you later."

-

"I cannot even bare to look at it!" My mom shouts through the phone during my drive back home. "What dreadful person could let that happen to their home?"

Another person has complained about the mysterious house.

"It's not as if I can do anything about it. Whoever owns that house pays their dues." She continues on. I could hear her pacing around her office.

"Why would they complain about the house?" I ask waiting at a stoplight.

"They say it makes them feel unsafe." I hear my mom groan. "I'm sorry for ranting, sweetie. You know that house is the bane of my existence and to hear complains about it when I have no power over the property. It drives me insane!"

I can't help but laugh at my mom's frustration. "It's fine mom. Just rant."

"No. It's okay. I got it all out of my system. You're going out tonight right? With Theo and Emma? Please let Theo take you home." 

"He always does mom."

"I do love that boy. You know his father tells me he wants to be the next mayor." She coos happily. If Theo's dad wants me for a daughter my mom wants Theo for a son. I know it's wrong but sometimes I feel insecure with my own boyfriend. He's great at everything he does wether it be with academics or sports. Not that I don't work hard, I devote hours into studying and training but it was always Theo who's recognized. It was always easy for him. I'm definitely proud of him for it but sometimes, it's a little disheartening when I know can never be that good. 

I reach the house and mom hears the garage open.

"I'll let you go now. Please be careful during your run and tonight at the party as well. Don't be out too late."

-

I run until my heart feels like it's about to jump out of my chest. My legs are burning in a way that feels good and sweat is tickling down my back. I stop my sprint taking deep gulps of air.

It's dark now and the night sky is out. The moon shines down on me and I exhale staring up at the moon that's almost full. There's something about the full moon that feels powerful.

When my breathing has evened out, I begin to walk back home and pause when I see the house my mom was complaining about earlier. I'd never admit it to her or anyone but I do like the house.

Sure, it's a little creepy because it looks abandoned and yes we've never really seen the owner but from what I can see, it's an old house with beautiful architecture. Almost like it has a story to tell, I could never fully ignore its presence. It kind of reminds you of the movie Monster House.

Slowly approaching the property, I continue to gaze at it with wonder until I freeze in my step when I notice it.

Something is different.

There's a shiny expensive looking black car right outside the tall gate. What's more... the overgrown vines on the gate are swept to the side as if someone went in.

With the vines out of the way, upon closer inspection and with the help of the street lights I could read what's written on the gate for the first time.

Devondale Residence.

My heart pounds and my brain goes on overdrive. Is the mystery owner back? Was this just a curious visitor of another house that merely parked here and was snooping around?

No. No one in their right mind would park here nor would they touch this property.

I force my gaze to look towards the house but it's too dark to see anything. The tall gate and trees block any kind of light. A chill that wasn't because of the cold goes through me and I feel as though someone or something was watching me.

My skin begins to prickle in an odd way.

Gulping, I wrap my arms around myself and turn away from the mysterious house. Whoever parked outside the Devondale residence is rich if his car was any indication. The real question is if it's merely a coincidence that someone mistakenly parked there or is someone truly visiting the house.

-

"There's a car by the gates!" I shout from my closet as I pick clothes for tonight's party.

Theo who's lounging on my bed playing games on his phone looks up. "Are you sure? Maybe the car was just passing by?"

"No. It's parked there." I say while I struggled into a tight black dress Emma gave for my birthday.

"Make sure you're wearing black. Let's match." I hear Theo say. When he arrived a few minutes ago he was wearing a plain black shirt with his varsity jacket and demanded we become matchies. "I don't think I've ever seen a car parked anywhere near that creepy house- actually cars don't even pass through that house."

"It's not creepy just unkept." I defend finally getting into my dress and leaving my closet to stand in front of Theo.

When he sees me Theo let's out a low whistle and winks. "Looking good, Bennett."

I lean down and press my lips against his. "Thanks."

Before we became a couple, Theo always called me by my last name as his form of endearment.

"Can you build me another shelf this weekend?" I ask proceeding to my dresser to apply makeup and curl my hair.

Theo's eyes glance at my ever growing book collection and sighs. "I just built one last month. How many books have you possibly bought in that span of time to fill it?"

"Never underestimate me in a bookstore." All across my room are wooden shelves filled with books. Before my dad died, he would be the one to mount them on my wall. Since then, Theo has taken up that role and would -most of the time- be happy to do it.

Sending an apologetic smile his way, I look back at my mirror and try but fail to put on eyeliner. It wasn't my strong suit. I could never do the perfect cat eyes in fear that I'll accidentally poke my eye.

"I'll do your bookshelf only if you promise to stir clear of that house." Theo grumbles out sitting up from my bed.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

"Now that a car is parked outside, we don't know if it really is the Devondale's and even if it is, the owner could be dangerous or something. Drug mules, serial killers or whatnot."

A laugh leaves my lips while applying red lipstick. "Judgement much?"

He frowns and chucks a throw pillow by my feet. "I'm serious, Addie. I promised your dad I would take care of you."

I pause watching my boyfriend from my mirror and see how worried he truly was. Theo has always had my back since that fateful day when I pushed him into the pool in bitter defeat. With that thought in mind, I smile and nod. "Yeah. I'm sorry."

After curling my brown hair and making sure my green eyes are on fleek, Theo grabs a pair of heels for me and brings us to his car.

There was a brief moment when my eyes begged for me to look back at the street where the Devondale Residence is. I give in and see the car is still there. Only this time, I feel like the engine is open and maybe it's just my imagination but I think I saw a silhouette inside it. Shaking my head and deciding I might be going crazy, I slide into Theo's car and distract myself by connecting my phone to play music.

Our drive to the party - which is at some jock's house - is a little longer than it should be. The jock lives up hill where rich people like Theo live.

We head bang to the music and sing off tune to my playlist. Theo is trying to do the high parts and I'm trying to immediate the drums using special mouth noises. To onlookers, it might sound like we were getting possessed by demons but to us it felt like we were in our own personal sold out concert.

By the time we get to the party, it's already in full swing. Cups are discarded on the front lawn and several drunk girls were screaming Theo and I's names. He opens my door like a true gentleman and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

We maneuver our way into the house and immediately neon lights greet our entrance. Bodies are dancing and music is blaring. Theo takes my hand and brings us to the kitchen. Along the way several boys jump at him giving him fist bumps and one armed hugs. He openly pushes anyone too close to me away.

A boy I barely recognized started to introduce himself to me and asks to get me a drink. Before I could reply, Theo promptly shoves his hand on the boy's face. "That's never gonna happen."

When we finally do get to the kitchen, a guy from the basketball team hands us a red cup filled with frothy beer.

"I'm glad you guys could make it! Wow. Addie Bennett came to my party. I'm honored." The guy bristles smiling widely. Theo scrunches up his nose at the words. "We have something sugary and alcoholic by the pool if you prefer that, Addie."

"Is Emma there?" I ask taking a long drink from my cup. There was barely any beer. It was fifty percent froth at this point.

"Yeah but she's... sort of midway into a make out session with the running back." With a quick glance through the window and towards the pool area, I see Emma amongst our other group of friends. She's indeed tongue tied at the moment.

"Duly noted." Theo replies with a disgusted snort. He hands me his cup to drink and leans on the bar eyeing our host.

I roll my eyes at his dramatics. "Go on. I see your boys waiting for you."

"I'm not going to leave you for the boys." Theo says with a laugh.

"For Stacy then?" I push with a tight smile. Stacy is his 'best friend' and his first girlfriend. I have nothing against her but it did slightly irritate me that Stacy was at Greece with him the entire summer. What's not to love about her? She's smart and a great volleyball player. We used to be friends until freshman year when my dad died and I became too quiet for her.

It was also the time that Theo decided to man up. He broke up with her and admitted he's always apparently loved me.

"I'll be right there. I just need to go to the bathroom." I tell him pushing my boyfriend out the kitchen and to the pool area. Knowing well that he's already making his way to Stacy.

It's not that I was jealous of Stacy. Actually, I am. Theo spends way more time with her and honestly if you didn't know us, you'd think he was in a relationship with Stacy and not me. I've talked to him about it but he always takes offense and I didn't like fights or conflict so I dropped it.

In a way it's also my fault. I guess I'm not exciting nowadays. In middle school, I used to be fun. At least, I think I was.

Turning away from the direction of the pool and my boyfriend who's most likely flirting with Stacy, I continue drinking from my cup and make my way to where all the dancing is. Needing a good distraction for how much I changed over the years and how Theo is probably dancing with Stacy right now, I spot some of the girls from my squad that Theo calls 'wild girls' and they scream happily when they see me.

"Addie Bennett at a party? It's gonna be a great night." One of the girls says taking my hand and we promptly dance around to the loud music.

Well into my usual number of drinks, I continue to dance with the girls until the room gets a little hazy and our laughter starts ringing through my ears. I sway to the beat of the music while taking a drink from a bottle that the girls handed me. Several times, I thought I saw some of my male friends start to dance with me but the moment I face them, they vanish.

I must be really drunk.

A little dizzy and intoxicated, I start to notice a guy standing near me right in the middle of the dance floor. It's too dark to get a good look at him but he's tall and very muscular dressed in a white shirt and a leather jacket. Fueled by liquid courage, I turn to face him and start doing silly dances with him.

It must be my mind playing tricks on me but I hear a deep chuckle come from the mystery man.

"You're drunk, Addie." I hear him say or maybe it's just my imagination.

Not too long after he starts dancing along with me. Normally, a large muscular dancing man would be awkward to look at but not him. It added to his mystery.

He looks down at me, a smirk playing at his lips and I can't help but smile back.

Fuck, Stacy.