Damp rooftops

Chapter 1

Stella

I hear a quick rat-tat-tat on my front door. Me and Celeste's secret knock. From out my window, I see her bound off, probably going through the hole in my backyard fence like she usually does. I peek my head out of the curtains to make sure my mom already left for work, and slowly open the door. I lift up the mat and there it is. My first secret note. Laying on the flaky dark brown deck. 

Suddenly I hear an engine and my mom’s car pulls around the neighbors' hedge. I drop the mat, close the door, and run back to the couch. My mousy brown hair is still messed up so I fix it really quick. Just then my mom barges into the door. “Sorry honey! I forgot my purse!” she calls as she rummages through the front closet. Then she leaves with a quick goodbye. 

It probably wasn’t a good idea to have a secret note system right after getting in trouble. But I'm what some people would call impulsive or reckless. I can’t help it. Honestly that's kind of what got me into this mess. I tend to blurt out my thoughts or say “inappropriate” comments. It all started when my uncles were visiting my family for Hanukkah. I don’t have anything against either of my uncles but like I said I'm impulsive. 

Around a year ago, my Uncle Jake knitted a sweater for me. He just picked up knitting so he’s not very good yet. The sweater he knitted for me, I'll admit, fits perfectly. It is incredibly ugly though. It's a repulsive neon orange, blue, and yellow combination with a bright green collar. When he gave it to me I thankfully kept my mouth shut and politely thanked him. My mom and I made a deal that I never had to wear it (besides when my uncles were visiting) if I agreed to say that I wear the sweater all the time. 

This Hanukkah me and my family were all gathered at the table eating dinner. All of a sudden the topic of the sweater came up. My mom told Uncle Jake that I absolutely love the sweater and would wear it everyday if she didn't stop me. Just then the deal felt wrong. Not honest. Without thinking I blurted “I actually never wear it and it’s really itchy!”.  I closed my mouth and immediately regretted it. But some things can’t simply be taken back. The look of utter sadness on his face made me feel really grim. He forgave me but that was the tipping point for my mom. She called my dad and they decided no phone was my punishment. To be honest I think that was a little overkill for what I did but I see where she's coming from. 

Once I make sure my mom is gone for sure, I lift up the mat again.

“Oh no” I think as I scan the note. That fence is the only way we can get into each other's yards. The top of our shared fence is pointed. Probably for aesthetics but it makes climbing it near impossible. The gears are turning in my head. But I feel like I’m gonna pass out, so I decide to lay down in my bed while I come up with an idea.