Chapter three: Rachel

After coming back from the store, I placed the items in the fridge and pantry. Mom left a note near the donut plate for me to give the neighbors. I huffed, grabbing the plate. The fact that mom wants to give away my breakfast to new people really grinded my gears. Walking over the grass, it crunched under my shoes. I forgot to turn on the sprinklers last night, our lawn was dehydrated. The trucks were gone, only a red SUV was in the driveway.

As I reached the front, I stared at the same house that's been right next to me for years. The same blue front door brought back memories from last year. Deflating my mood, it made me think of the previous neighbors. A raw feeling hit the pit of my stomach. I sniffed and wrinkled my nose. Before I walked to the doorstep, I heard my stomach growl. "Ooh." At least no one heard that. I'm starving. I took a bite of one of the donuts. They wouldn't notice. Taking another nibble, I chewed on it as I walked, the flakes of the glaze fell off my mouth. There was no time to savor the pastry so I ate it faster. I pressed the doorbell twice, holding under the plate with two of my hands to keep it secure.

"Coming!" The person yelled out from behind her door. I shoved the rest of the donut in my mouth and swallowed hard. I wiped my mouth before they opened the door. An adorable little girl opened it slowly, holding onto her doll.

"Hi. What's your name?" I asked with a smile, bending forward to meet her at eye level.

"Lydia," the blue-eyed cutie responded in a low voice.

"Hi, Lydia. I'm Rachel from next door."

She waved and said, "hi." Her figure was still hiding behind the door.

"Where's your mom or dad?" I asked.

"Mom's home, dad's gone to work," she answered.

"Is anyone else home?"

"Lyds, who's at the door?" An older boy asked from a distance. He came right behind her.

"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered, shaking my head at the boy from the store earlier.

"Oh, hello." He leaned against the doorframe, a smug expression in his eyes and hair messy.

"So you do exist," I said, popping out one of my knees. He's my neighbor? He disappeared like he was never there. Lydia had the same colored eyes as him, this must be her sister.

"I'm human, just like you," he responded, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Are you sure you're not a ghost? You disappeared like one earlier."

"I had to, my mom was calling me," he shrugged, "what's that you got for us?" He pointed at the plate.

"Donuts." My donuts, I thought bitterly, "for you and the family. Welcome to the neighborhood." I handed him the plate with a tight smile.

"Aww, thanks, neighbor. Me and Lyds were about to come over and meet you." He took the plate off my hands. He held onto his sister's shoulder, she snuggled to him closer. His smile was wide, way too wide it was comical. He did have great teeth.

"Andrew, who's at the door?" A woman asked with straight black hair, she smiled when she saw me.

"Hello. I'm Rachel Thompson." I waved politely.

"Hi hi!" She reached forward, arms opened and pulled me in for a hug. It startled me, I patted her back lightly. "I'm Lori, Lori Strong!"

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Strong." I struggled to laugh, her grip was a bit tight on my shoulders. Her last name had it right.

"Thank you so much for the donuts." We let go and she backed away.

"Oh, it's no problem. My mom always said, "be welcoming and cordial."

"That's good advice. This is my son Andrew." She brushed his shoulder, he gave me a nod. I smiled quickly, "and this cutie is Lydia." She picked her up and carried her on her hips.

"Hi." I smiled at her again, she waved weakly, snuggling her head into her mom's neck.

"Wait, did you say your last name was Thompson?" She asked.

"Yes, ma'am, " I answered.

"Your mom wouldn't happen to be Angela Thompson?" Her tone was curious.

I hesitated to say yes, "um yes. Why?"

"Oh, my God! I can't believe we found our way again! Is she home?"

"No. Wait, I'm sorry, we knew each other?" Again, found our way again?

"You and Andrew were ten when we left. We lived right across the street from each other in Colorado."

"The yellow and blue house?" My mouth opened wide, I used to go to their house after school when my parents or Trey, my older brother, wasn't home. She used to serve me pepperoni and cheese hot pockets. I sat right next to Andrew on the couch and we would watch Nickelodeon afternoon cartoons. We used to have playdates in the living room on weekends. Our old neighbors from across the street.

Mrs. Strong nodded with a chuckle. How could I forget? I stepped forward and gave her a big hug, "it's so good to see you, Mrs. Strong!" She had bangs now and it seemed longer, she still had the same courtesy and kindness. Unlike her son. Puberty hit him like a lightning strike. Gone were the buck teeth and bowl haircut. He's broad-shouldered, broody, handsome.

"Where's Mr. Strong?"

"Oh, he's still stationed."

"Oh."

"But he's coming back soon."

"That's good." One of the faintest memories I had of Andrew's dad was when he picked us both up from school one time. Andrew wanted to go to McDonald's', he begged until he caved in and took us. Andrew tried to take my fries. I ate my chicken nuggets at his house until mom and dad came home. That was one of the few times he was around. It was good he was coming home.

"Rachel, you've grown up into a beautiful girl. Hasn't she, Andrew?" She elbowed his stomach for his attention.

"Mmhmm," he mumbled, not looking at me. I hid rolling my eyes, wiping the sweat off my hands. He still made me nervous.

"Andrew, be nice." She hit his shoulder.

"Yeah Andrew, be nice," I teased, poking my tongue out.

"Mature." He clenched his jaw, shaking his head.

"Please, let your mom know we're here."

"Of course. She'll be home in the evening."

"Oh, excuse me, I hear the phone. Great to see you again!" She ran into the house, leaving me and Andrew alone. I laced my arms behind my back.

"You got something on your face," he told me, pointing to my chin.

I frowned, "where?" He pointed again, I reached up, attempting to clean it by using my two fingers. Damn donut frosting. "Is it gone?"

"Here." He reached over, used his nail to scratch it off my skin. His cologne smells like the ocean. I gulped. The fact that he still had this effect on me was something else.

"Messy eater still?"

I scoffed, pushing his hand away. "I was hungry."

"Sure." He smirked.

"Okay. Bye." I spun around, stomping my feet, and headed to my house. I breathed out, laying my back on the front door. I felt my phone vibrate, I pulled out my phone with a frown wondering if it was mom. It was Susie, texting me that she was picking me up soon to go to the mall. I texted her back: cool, be ready in a few.