Empty Eyes Ch. 5 : Home Sweet Home

   Lainey kicked at the gravel driveway as she traced her black painted fingernails along the wooden fence. She glanced down the road from underneath her hooded sweater. Her hair layered out at the sides of her face. Her eyeliner really made her eyes stand out, making them appear crystal blue with a tint of purple. The wind picked up, blowing dust all around her. She grimaced and shielded her eyes. "Gotta' love the southern dust winds.." A voice slightly chuckled. "I hate it..." Lainey grumbled, turning and her heart nearly stopped. There Aaron stood, taller, more built and ... he looked like a adult, very well dressed. Her eyes slightly widened and she waited for some kind of response from him. Nothing. "Are you new around here?" Aaron asked. Lainey felt a sharp pain in her chest, maybe her heart just broke?  Yes she changed her appearance since elementry school but she still recognized him... so why couldnt he recognize her? "Yeah..." She finally spoke. Aaron smiled, sticking out his hand, "My name's Aaron, I live down the street. I figured I would introduce myself to the new neighbors."  Lainey clenched her teeth, holding back the tears. She forced a smile and shook his hand. "And your name is?" Aaron slightly laughed. Lainey's eyes searched his. He definatly didn't recognize her. She sighed, "I'm Tess." "Tess." Aaron repeated, stepping back, "Nice to meet you." Lainey slightly nodded, crossing her arms against her thin figure. He looked around, "Well... I guess I'll see you around school?" She stared blankly  then  seemed to have snapped out of a daze, "What?" Aaron smiled, "I said, I'll see you around at school?"  Lainey nodded, remaining silent. He nodded, waving his hand before stuffing it in his back pocket, "I'll see you around Tess..." Lainey watched as he grew farther and farther away. She immediatly walked back inside the house.

 "Who was that nice looking boy?" Mrs. Whitman asked as Lainey entered the house. Lainey ignored her and ran up the stairs. Mrs. Whitman frowned and put her book down.

 "So?" Aarons mom called from the kitchen when she heard the screen door shut. "Well, there was a girl outside, I talked to her..." Aaron explained. "Ooh a girl?" His mom smiled, "We havent seen one of them around here in a while." Aaron laughed, "Yeah... she was quiet though, I hope I didn't wierd her out or anything..." "Well, what did you say to the poor girl?" His mom frowned. He shrugged, "Nothing bad or anything, just a simple hello." "Hmm.." His mother hummed to herself.

 Lainey shut her bathroom door and sank to the floor. Eyeliner was running down her cheeks, following the trace of tears. Her lip trembled as she cried into her hands. Memories of Aaron and her played throughout her mind. All the inside jokes they had when they were kids, the night before she moved away. Her trembling hands lowered to the cold tiled floor and slowly eased towards the bottom drawer. With her free hand, she reached up and turned the lock. Her other hand caught grasp of a cold, metal blade. A numbness took over and Lainey pulled out the razor and raised up her sleeve.

 "Well when I finish this batch of cookies, would you mind walking over there with me?" Aaron's mom asked, sticking the tray in the oven. He shrugged, "Sure...I already made a good impression..." "Sarcastic just like your father." She smiled, kissing his cheek. Aaron rolled his eyes and sighed, "Please... stop comparing me to him."

 "Lainey?" Mrs. Whitman knocked on the bedroom door. She turned the knob and it didnt budge. "Lainey, can you unlock your door please?"  She some what pleaded.

 Lainey closed her eyes as tears rolled down her face. She twirled the razor inbetwen her fingers, feeling a teasing relief as the blade caught the skin slightly.

 "Open the door." Mrs. Whitman's voice grew a little more demanding.

 "There you are..." Lainey muttered, her eyes opening, "The real Mrs. Whitman. The rich, selfish bitch." She leveld the razor with her wrist and pressed down.

 "Lainey open the door!" Mrs. Whitman yelled, causing her husband to quickly walk down the hallway.

 "Well, that batch will take a while so lets take these since they already cooled off." Aarons mother started placing the fresh, warm cookies on a large plate. He sighed, grabbing his worn out hat and slipped into his boots.

 Mr. Whitman took out a key and unlocked the door. Mrs. Whitman looked at him and he sighed, "Simple solution... just in case..." She nodded and followed him into the bedroom. All of Laineys boxes were still sitting in the barren room. She didn't unpack anything yet. "Lainey?" Mr. Whitman called out, walking towards the bathroom. He knocked on the door. After a few moments, Mrs. Whitman reached to grab the handle when the door opened. She slightly jumped from startlement. "I was going to the bathroom..." Lainey muttered, crossing her arms and looking at them sternly. Mr. Whitman sighed, "I'm sorry Lainey but I'm going to have to ask that you don't lock your door for a while..."  "Umm... okay..." Lainey rolled her eyes, brushing past them. Mrs. Whitman grabbed Lainey's arm causing her to wince. "Wait..." Mrs. Whitman warned, ripping Lainey's sleeve practically off. The fresh blood smeared along with the sleeve as Mrs. Whitman moved it up. "Oh my God..." Mr. Whitman frowned. Lainey slowly pulled the sleeve down, as if ashamed. She turned away and wiped the welding tears from her eyes. "I dont think I can deal with this right now..." Mrs. Whitman started to cry, "I'm sorry Lainey... you need help." She turned and quickly left the bedroom. Mr. Whitman sighed, "I'll be downstairs... I hope you'll eventually want to talk about this." Lainey ignored him, staring at the bare wall as she cried.

 Aaron and his mom looked up as the door opened. Mrs. Whitman forced a smile, while wiping a tear away, "Hello!" "Hi!" Aarons mom cheered, politely ignoring the fact that Mrs. Whitman had clearly been crying. Aaron frowned, failing to follow his moms lead. "Is this a bad time?" He bluntly asked. "No," Mrs. Whitman released the fakest laugh-ever, "I was just chopping some onions.. these darn eyes are so sensitive." 'Lie.' Aaron thought. He faked a smile to match her fakeness and nodded. "Welcome to the neighborhood." His mom complimented, handing over the plate of cookies. Mrs. Whitman smiled, taking the plate, "Yes, home sweet home." Aaron clenched his jaw, biting back all the comments he wanted to say. Like... why are you really crying? Wheres the cute, shy girl? And why are you so fake with people like my mom? "If you'd excuse me, I think I left the tractor running..." Aaron bluntly lied, his mom glancing at him before he walked away. "Home sweet home my ass.. bitch..." He muttered, dragging his feet along the gravel.