They weren't exactly girls on film, but Ava always knew she was the cute one so she put Tina at ease as her bestie. They hung out most of the week after school except a Friday night date for Tina. Sometimes, if Tina was at odds she'd let Ava tag along, but tonight, there was no one calling. It was just the two of them nestled in Ava's bed with their tablets fulfilling their creativity.
"Why, why does it always cost so much! On this game?" Ava fussed. Of course, Tina leaned over and showed her the free tail that would make her mermaid alluring.
"I love that color!" Ava smiled but afterwards realized she sounded like a six year old instead of sixteen. Yes, she was a late bloomer being rather a pixie and everyone thinking she was still in middle school.
Actually, they never got around to meeting anyone on the game or doing much of anything other than accessorizing their mermaids. Perhaps Tina was just as afraid of the unknown as she was.
They were listening to some sweet music of Cacti. All was well in the world and the idea they could go on a road trip after midnight. If only they could drive.
And then a thump came from downstairs.
"What was that?" Tina looked at Ava wide-eyed. Ava's eyes were just as big.
"I don't know."
She pressed her lips tight, not wanting to investigate. This was her room.
"Is your brother home?"
"No."
Ava's frown was small. She wasn't one for being brave.
"What about your Dad?"
"I don't think so, he's off with his friends at a game," she sighed.
"When does your mother get home?" Tina looked at her as if Ava was their keeper.
"I don't know."
Ava looked at her blankly as if she was asking for too much.
"Possibly, just something from outside," Ava shrugged. She would leave it at that. The chill of October was in a cold wind. The leaves were dancing on the driveway.
"It came from the basement," Tina snapped in a huff as she hugged herself.
"So." Ava winced as if what was Tina expecting her to do?
Tina jumped out of bed and got on her slippers.
"Well?" Tina had her hands on her hips as if they needed to be in spy mode, perhaps.
"It's nothing," Ava shook her head no with a friendly laugh.
BUMP. This time, it sounded so restless against the wall. It made them both jump.
"You always said we'd be partners for life!" Tina pointed a finger at Ava.
"I did not!" She knew the story very well. "YOU DID. You just didn't like the idea that geeky Karl from Art class liked me. He wasn't good enough, you said!"
The thump was getting louder. Closer. Ava was in a stomp as if her noise would be enough to quieten whatever it was in the basement.
"Come on!" Tina order. She wouldn't go alone.
"All right," Ava went ahead and Tina was glued behind her. They stopped in the kitchen to grab weapons, which were a spatula and Barbecue tongs. She hesitated with the butcher knife. She really didn't want to kill anything.
She knew it couldn't be anything. Maybe the dryer had a mind of its own. And it did. Obviously. It was making a noise in the laundry room. She'd forgotten she had set it for over an hour.
Ava breathed easy. She laughed as if this was just being silly. She looked to Tina as if they were just fools.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" She was ever so serious as if this game was not done yet.
Ava nodded. Perhaps the dryer was warm and inviting. Of course, Tina had to mention the time her grandmother accidentally killed her cat who had kittens in the dryer. Ava cringed at the thought.
But as she tugged at the door, it pushed open all on its own. There it was. A scarecrow of clothes. It had been living in the dryer all this time and it didn't like teenage girls.
