Parasomnia

The journey home always took a little while. It was an hour and a half train ride and then a 40 minute bus to the small village I grew up in.

It was a beautiful morning and Rushton looked amazing that morning as the bus trudged into the village. I sneaked a peek at the guy sat next to me. Jinxx was staring out the window. One hand was supporting his head on his elbow against the glass.

His other hand was clasping mine and every so often his thumb would brush over my knuckles. The sound of a baby crying near the front of the bus drew my attention forward, reminding me to press the bell.

The bus slowed and we got off. My house wasn’t too far from the bus stop. The entrance was up a gravel road and behind a gate. It was a rural farmhouse, but it had always been very modern.

I was very apprehensive about this visit. As we approached the gate, a familiar figure was watering the garden.

“Dad!” I shouted.

He spun round and grinned. My Dad was usually very happy. He ambled over, avoiding his prized roses and tulips. He was a garden expert and loved his job. He made his way over and unlocked the gate. His arms went round me and we hugged.

Dad seemed to remember we had company and turned to Jinxx. My Dad had never been judgemental and he still wasn’t. He reached out, shaking Jinxx’s hand.

“Arthur Winters.” He grinned. “Pleasure to meet you at last.”

“The pleasure is all mine, sir.” Jinxx was all manners and my Dad’s grin grew wider. “I’m Jeremy.”

I nearly choked on thin air when I heard that. I spun round to stare at Jinxx and he smirked at my dumbstruck expression. Dad turned and looked at me.

“You all right, princess?” He asked, concerned.

“Yeah, just got something in my throat,” I laughed, nervously.

Dad nodded and motioned for us to follow him. I grabbed Jinxx’s arm and he turned to look at me. I glowered at him. Jeremy? For how long?

“Jeremy?” I asked.

“Yes.” He replied, smoothly.

“What happened to Jinxx?” I snapped.

“Nickname.” He grinned. “What’s wrong, babe? Sad that you don’t know everything about me yet?”

I sputtered in annoyance and this made him chuckle.

“N-no, I was just curious.” I snapped, irritated by how annoying he could be.

“You’ll find out all about me soon enough.” He stepped closer.

“Hey, Ellie-bear, come and show Jeremy round the house,” Dad called, and I heard him laugh.

Great, now my Dad isn’t even on my side. I took Jinxx’s hand again and we walked up to the house. Dad led the tour and showed off the house with an almost nonchalant attitude.

We got back downstairs and Dad turned to us. I had dropped the duffle bag off in my old bedroom and I faintly wondered about sleeping arrangements. Despite the house being big, we had four bedrooms. One of which was my parents, one was mine and the other was Daniel’s. There was a spare room, but it was filled with junk, or rather it was Mum’s studio. Speaking of which.

“Hey Dad, where’s Mum?” I asked.

“Your mother has gone to pick Daniel and Jenny up.” He smiled.

“How long has Daniel been with Jenny?” I watched Dad think for a minute. He frowned to himself.

“About two months now, but you know your mother. She acting like they’ll get married tomorrow.” Dad laughed. He proceeded to the garden again.

I turned to address my evil guest to find he was over by the mantel piece, looking at the photos. I strolled over and stared at the pictures too.

“Where are you in these?” Jinxx asked, he sounded annoyed.

I craned my neck to find one of me. I spotted one of Daniel and I at a BBQ when I was five and Daniel was ten. I pointed to it and Jinxx came to stand by my side. He smiled and it made my heart thrum madly. Seriously, why was he having such an effect on me?

“It’s not a great photo. I’m covered in ketchup.” I sighed.

“Are there any other photo’s? Of you?” He glanced at me.

There were none, bar that one on the mantel. I glanced round the room. There were pictures on the wall from Mum and Dad’s wedding and their anniversaries. There were several of Daniel with varying achievements.

“Hang on a minute.” I rushed to find Dad.

He was outside, pruning the roses when I hurried over. He smiled when I approached, but before I could speak he spoke first.

“I like him, princess. He seems nice and well-mannered, but he seems like he’d defend you.” Dad smiled, proudly.

I blushed and tried to look anywhere but my overly proud father.

“Hey Dad, where are the family albums?” I asked.

“In the attic, princess.” He informed me.

I nodded and rushed back inside. I motioned for Jinxx to follow me and we mounted the three flights of stairs towards the attic. I opened the door and walked in, analysing the dust covered boxes.

I spotted the albums across the way and grabbed them. I set them down on the rug. Jinxx sat next to me and I was faintly aware of how lose he was. If I turned my head I’d end up bumping noses with him. The other thought left me feeling light headed, inexperienced and dense as I was about these matters.

I opened the first album and flicked through the pages. There were a lot of old photos in this album, mainly of my parent’s engagement.

I picked up the second album and opened it. The one was more recent. There were photos of Daniel and I growing up. I showed Jinxx the pictures and I was rewarded with that smile. The smile that made me light headed.

I allowed him to flick through the album, before grabbing the third one and opening it. This one was very recent. There were photos of me and Daniel as teens. I passed it to Jinxx and watched in fascination as he leafed through it, pausing at pictures of me.

Some of which were really dorky. Especially the ones with my friends at school. I put the other two albums back and turned to see him looking at the photo from my prom. I sat back down and leaned in to get a good look at the picture.

It took up the whole page near enough. My friend, Sophie had done my hair and make-up that night. I remembered my dress. It was cream coloured at the top, decorated with lace and had a long, flowing baby blue skirt.

“That was my year eleven prom,” I grinned. “That girl next to me is Sophie Haywood. We were best friends. We’re still in touch now. She did my hair and make-up. She was amazing at that sort of stuff.”

He lifted his eyes and his gaze met mine. It silenced me in a second. My throat felt dry.

“How come this photo isn’t downstairs?” He asked.

“I dunno. It would take up a lot of room. It’s quite a big photo.” I mumbled, suddenly feeling nervous.

I lifted my head to see he was inches from my face, blue eyes locking onto my own and trailing down to look at my lips. I could hear something and I think it may have been my heart beating madly in my chest.

A car horn made us both glance round. I took a well-deserved breath and couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. I shut the photo album and carried it over to the others. I turned and nearly collided with Jinxx.

Our height difference was clearly evident as I glanced up at him. He smirked and leaned in, making me believe he was actually going to kiss me. Instead I felt his breath ghost over my ear, making me shiver.

“To be continued, Ellie.” And with that said, he pulled back.

I stayed there, too confused to speak. We left the attic and went downstairs to go and see my Mum and older brother.

I could hear their voices as we approached. Dad sounded a little annoyed and testy. I suspected that he and Mum had had another fight yesterday. I heard Daniel and I could hear Mum.

We walked into the lounge and the conversation halted. Dad looked happy.

“Did you find the albums, princess?” He asked, and I nodded. “She looked beautiful at prom, didn’t she?”

“She always looks beautiful.” Jinxx grinned, looping an arm round my shoulder.

Great, thanks for that. Daniel smiled and I swear he looked as proud as Dad. My brother may have been Mum’s favourite, but he never rubbed it in or was horrible to me. He walked over.
Jinxx let me go and Daniel pulled me into a tight hug.

“How have you been? How’s uni going?” Daniel smiled.

“Yeah, great. I got an awesome grade on my last essay.” I grinned.

Daniel looked thrilled and he motioned for the girl that was with him to come over. She did so, but rather hesitantly. She was like a doll, beautiful and delicate.

“Ellie, this is Jenny.” He smiled, broadly. “Jenny, this is my sister and her boyfriend.”

I introduced myself to Jenny and she seemed lovely. She and Daniel seemed the perfect match. I glanced over at Daniel talking to Jinxx. They seemed to be getting on famously. Time to not prolong the torture and go and say hello to my Mum.

I excused myself from Jenny and walked over to Mum. She gave me a brief hug and didn’t seem all that bothered by my presence, as per usual.

“So, am I to assume that’s your boyfriend?” She asked.

Dad shot her a look, which she ignored. Great, here we go.

“Yeah, that’s Jeremy.” I smiled.

“Honestly, Eleanor. He looks like a miscreant. His hair and those tattoos.” She sighed, before turning towards the kitchen.

I caught Dad’s eye and he smiled sympathetically. Hold the phone, tattoos? I spun round and craned my neck. Jinxx was wearing a hooded top and on previous occasions he was wearing a long sleeved shirt.

He was deep in conversation with Daniel and when he shifted his arm I caught sight of a splash of colour under the sleeve. I stepped closer and tried to get a better look.

Jenny and Daniel left then to go upstairs. I noticed that Dad had gone outside again so I moved closer.

“You have tattoos?” I whispered.

Jinxx glanced at me. He rolled his blue eyes and unzipped the hoodie. I watched with fascination as he removed it. He was wearing a t-shirt with short sleeves and I noticed the splashes of colour up his arms. Mum must have seen them when he lifted his arms earlier.

“Do you like them?” He smirked. “I can show them to you later in much more detail if you like.”

“Why don’t I show you my room?” I changed the topic quickly.

“Wow, someone’s eager.” He bit his lip, and I wanted to punch him.

“N-no not like that. I mean, you’ll be in my room tonight. The spare room in uninhabitable.” I fought to correct myself.

“Whatever you say, Ellie.” He grinned again.

I glanced towards the kitchen and then motioned for him to follow me. Dinner was probably going to be a painful affair today. Mum would make sure of that.

Notes