Rebecca thought it would be strange waking up in a new bed, especially when knowing it was going to be a regular thing for the next few weeks. However, Abi's home had such a comforting feeling about it. Rebecca couldn't help but feel at ease. The warmth was intoxicating. Even just opening her bedroom window overwhelmed her as the scent of the country tickled her nose. The sun was out to greet her, alongside a gentle breeze that made the windchime hanging downstairs sing.
She glanced around her bedroom. Her suitcase was still on the floor with her belongings hanging outside. On her first day, she decided that she would unpack the following day. That was two days ago. She would get around to it eventually. But, for now, she wanted to take it easy and relax. Maybe her mother was right? Maybe it would be good to spend some time out of the city. So, why was Rebecca still feeling slightly nervous? What was here in the country that made her stomach turn a particular way?
Before long, the familiar smell of Abi cooking breakfast crept up the stairs and into Rebecca's room. The young woman sighed with delight and her stomach growled with anticipation. She quickly got dressed and hurried down the wooden staircase. The house was quaint and quiet. It was perfectly fit for one person but had enough room for one or two visitors. Rebecca felt awkward; fearing that she would be a burden for Abi. However, the older woman showed no signs of being frustrated by her granddaughter's presence.
If anything, Abi seemed like she quite enjoyed having company.
The moment Rebecca stepped into the dining room, Abi slid a plate full of eggs, beans and bacon to her usual seat. ''Don't let it get cold,'' she teased before walking back to cook her own meal.
''Thanks,'' Rebecca said as she took a seat and enjoyed the well-cooked breakfast. ''How do you time it so perfectly?''
''No offence, but I can hear you stomping around upstairs. I have your routine mentally marked down.''
Rebecca glared at her. ''I'm not sure if I should be impressed or worried that you can tell how I'm moving.''
''This house has thin walls,'' Abi replied. She finished cooking her breakfast and walked over to the table to join Rebecca. ''So, I'm going to know if you have any boys calling you…''
Rebecca smirked. ''I…''
''Or girls!''
Silenced, Rebecca glanced down at her plate and quietly ate her food. ''I'm not expecting any calls anyway. I wasn't exactly giving a farewell parade when I left.''
''Don't fret over it. There's always time to meet friends here. I can always introduce you to some of mine.''
Rebecca couldn't hold back a laugh. ''No offence, but I don't think I'm looking to make friends over bingo and talking about Tom Jones.''
Abi snorted. ''People your age like Tom Jones.''
''You know what I mean,'' Rebecca finished what was left on her plate, quickly stood up and carried her plate over to the sink.
Grabbing a sponge, she started to clean her cutlery while staring out of the window that overlooked a green hill coming upon a small road. The scene before her looked so serene and peaceful. It almost felt like something out of a painting or a picture-perfect movie. Nothing about this place seemed real. Yet, here she was, and she couldn't help but feel like she didn't belong.
Watching Rebecca stare out into the distance, Abi leaned back in her chair and sipped on her cup of coffee. ''What if I don't know what you mean? Explain it to me.''
''You know…'' Rebecca hesitated. ''I haven't been to a place this quiet for such a long time. It feels too slow for me. I need excitement and spontaneousness.''
''And you don't think you'll get that here?'' Abi asked.
For Rebecca, it felt like Abi was prodding at her. Trying to get a reaction from her. She tapped her finger against the edge of the sink as she tried to think of the right words. ''I'm not trying to be a dick about this. I'm just trying to say that I don't think anything here will excite me and I'll feel like I've wasted my summer.''
Abi didn't say anything at first. Instead, she looked over at the clock hanging from the wall and smiled. ''You've been stuck in this house since you arrived. There are some things in this town that might catch your interest.''
''Like what?''
The moment Rebecca asked that question, she heard a commotion coming from outside. The road stretched along from the hill and close to the house. From behind, Rebecca could hear a small group talking amongst themselves. They sounded jovial and like they were getting ready to have the time of their lives. Rebecca leaned further out of the window, hoping to catch the group that was making the noise. Coming down the road was a group of about half a dozen youths her age. They looked like they were getting ready to take a dive into the sea. Bikinis and swimming shorts had taken Rebecca aback. The weather was warm, but she wouldn't have considered it beach weather. Still, it looked like this group were getting ready to hit the waves.
In the group, one person really stood out to Rebecca. A woman with gorgeous brown skin, afro, and wearing a red bikini that hung perfectly over her curvy body had caught her eye. Rebecca felt her heart racing. It was like she had swallowed her tongue the moment she saw the woman…and she nearly choked when the woman spotted her gawking at her.
It got worse when others in the group saw that their friend had an admirer. ''Hey, Amber. Looks like you've got a fan!'' one dude chuckled.
Rebecca didn't know what to do. She tried to retreat, but she ended up smacking the back of her head against the window. She grimaced and rubbed her sore spot. Before she had a chance to avoid any more awkwardness, the girl had come over to greet her.
Hoping to play it cool, Rebecca leaned against the window frame with her elbow and smirked. ''Hey,''
The girl smiled at her before looking over Rebecca's shoulder. ''Hi, Abi. Who is this?''
Rebecca hit her head against the window again, shocked that the girl knew her grandmother by name. Abi had come over with a wide grin and coffee still in hand. ''Hello, Amber. This is my granddaughter, Rebecca. She's visiting for the summer from the city.''
''Cool, a city girl?'' Amber smiled, making eye contact with Rebecca and smiling.
Fearing that she would make a fool of herself again, Rebecca kept as still as possible and smiled back. ''Yeah, you could say that.''
''Well, try not to be a stranger around here. If you ever need a tour, we can show you around. If that's okay with Abi.''
''She doesn't need my permission,'' Abi snorted. ''She's her own woman.''
''See you around then.'' Amber waved before regrouping with her friends.
''See ya,'' Rebecca responded, still in a daze as she watched Amber hurry back onto the ground.
The group continued on their way to the beach. All the while, Rebecca couldn't take her eyes off Amber. She almost forgot that her grandmother was standing right next to her. It wasn't until she felt a nudge that she was brought back to reality.
After a second to process everything, Rebecca turned to Abi. ''How do you know them?''
''I told you I could introduce you to some friends,'' Abi winked. ''It's a small town. We all know each other. I've babysat some of them when they were toddlers, Amber included. And…she likes Tom Jones.''
Rebecca's lip twitched into a slight smile. ''You are not what I expected.''
Abi raised her brow and sipped on her coffee. ''Am I spontaneous enough for you now?''
Once again, Rebecca was reminded that despite this being a new environment for her, something about it still felt like it was going to keep her on her toes and she was going to enjoy it. And Abi was the epicentre of that enjoyment.
XXX
I HOPE THAT YOU LIKED THIS NEW CHAPTER. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF AMBER? IS REBECCA GOING TO GET A LITTLE CRUSH, OR WILL SOMEONE ELSE BE ON HER MIND? IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH MY WRITING, YOU'LL KNOW THE ANSWER ALREADY. I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS STORY SO FAR. IT'S NICE TO WRITE SOMETHING MORE CALM AND MUNDANE. THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE ARRIVING NEXT WEEK SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT. IN THE MEANTIME, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR READING. THE STORY IS GOING TO START GETTING SPICY IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. STAY SAFE. TA-TA FOR NOW.
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