The Munroe Chronicles: Chapter 2

Agatha stayed in bed despite having woken up hours ago. She laid there staring at the sun shine through the silky red curtain and remembered that Fred would be having the neighbor boy over.

Great, she thought. Just great. I bet they’ll be making a ton of noise.

That was one thing she couldn’t stand. Loud noises. Even when it came to rock’n’roll music, it had to be turned down low. Loud sounds made her heart race to the point of excruciating pain. She told her parents about it once but Virgil accused her of being a hypochondriac. Elvira told her to put her head down. That was Elvira’s solution to every medical ailment. Stomach ache? Put your head down. Sore tooth? Put your head down. Pregnant? Put your head down.

Finally deciding that she had already wasted enough of the day, Agatha rolled out of bed and strolled to her window. She peered out just in time to catch Fred running into the neighbor’s yard and up their porch. Mora followed behind him. Fred shoed her away. Mora pretended to run away but hid behind one of the neighbor’s bushes and watched Fred ring the doorbell.

Agatha scratched under her camisole strap and yawned. She couldn’t deny that she was actually curious to see what the neighbors looked like. Not that she’d be making friends with any of them. The boy was Fred’s age and the parents were… parents. Therefore, likely to befriend her parents. She could see it now: Virgil and Elvira entertaining the neighbors, trying so hard to impress them. Just to keep up appearances.

While brushing her teeth in the bathroom, Agatha heard footsteps on the stairs. Then in the hallway, approaching the bathroom. She peered out the door, which stood ajar and saw Fred leading the way with arms sticking out at his side. A stupid slack jawed grin on his face. Behind him was the boy, Liam. Thin and slightly taller than Fred. He had dark brown hair. Red under the light. And freckles on his face which bore a distinctly cleft chin. He looked wise.

He was beautiful.

Agatha stepped out into the hallway and watched the two as they disappeared into Fred’s room. She stood there stunned with the toothbrush hanging from her mouth.

A push from behind startled her.

It was Mora who had been stealthily running after the two boys. Mora ignored Agatha completely, maneuvering around her and into Fred’s room.

“I thought I told you to beat it!” Agatha heard Fred scolding Mora.

“Aw, let her. She’s just a kid,” Liam defended Mora.

Agatha smiled. What a sweet boy! Her heart quivered. For Agatha, it was rare to encounter such kindness. She knew she would never forget it.

Agatha quickly finished up and changed into clean clothes. She put on a bright, unusual smile and pranced into Fred’s room.

“Russian spy! Kill her!” Fred yelled and jumped on Agatha. Agatha caught herself from screaming when Liam laughed and tugged on her arm.

“Prisoner of war!” he declared.

“You got me!” Agatha said sweetly. So out of character.

Mora sensed something wasn’t quite right with Agatha and stared at her suspiciously.

Agatha stared at Liam, smiling, and Liam looked at Fred and then back at Agatha.

Fred pushed Agatha clearly uncomfortable with the bizarre, dreamy look on Agatha's face. “Are you sick or something?”

“Shut up, Freddy Krueger!” Agatha quipped and threw Fred off of her, leaving Liam clinging to her arm. He slowly slid off, looking back and forth at Fred and Agatha.

Agatha spoke quietly to Liam. “Hi. I’m Agatha.”

“Liam... McAlister.”

“Do you have a girlfriend, Liam?” Agatha was shocked to hear herself asking. She blushed.

Fred sneered at her. “Eww gross! Of course he doesn’t!”

Liam’s ears turned red. He looked down, grinning. Agatha thought this meant he did have a girlfriend. A secret girlfriend. He finally shook his head.

Agatha let out a shaky breath. She reached out and touched Liam’s cheek. Stroking it.

Without warning Fred slapped her hand away. He was acting like a real jerk. A bigger jerk than usual. He was jealous and clearly wanted her to leave.

Agatha turned and walked out the door and towards her bedroom, the image of a coy Liam burned in her mind.

“And take Mora with you!” Fred shouted as he forcefully shoved little Mora out his room and slammed the door in her face.

Agatha looked back, down the hall, to see Mora with her face against Fred’s door, sobbing.