Page 29 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
And she suddenly wanted a little trouble in her otherwise ordered life.
9
Jesse
Jesse couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten up so early. He rubbed his eyes, trying to keep them open as he pulled his Jeep up to Roman's bright yellow house. White trim lined the windows, giving it a cheery feel that didn't exist once you set foot inside.
With his parents constantly out of town on business, Roman pretty much had the place to himself. Jesse turned off the car and hopped out. It was still dark at six in the morning. Who in their right mind did this every day?
Roman was going to kill him.
Did he care? Not so much.
He ran through the swampy side yard between this house and the next until the pond came into view. Early morning light broke free of the dark rain clouds above, casting eerie shadows on the surface of the water.
A dark form stretched out on the far bank. Chompers. Yes, they'd named the alligator that lived in Roman's pond. They didn't know if the same one stayed every year, but it always had the same name. Just like Nippy who lived behind Jesse’s house.
Jesse lifted a hand in greeting to Chompers, a smile curving his lips. Years ago, he'd spent more time at Roman's house than his own. Then his mom died, and he had to be home for his family. Roman took that as a chance to basically start living at the Carrigan house, claiming Jesse's family as his own.
Jesse slipped onto the screened Lanai, skirting the edge of the pool. Roman always forgot to lock the sliding glass doors, a fact Jesse counted on this morning.
He pushed them open and stepped into the dark house. Bamboo flooring stretched in front of him through the cavernous rooms. One could feel lost in a massive house like this.
He wasted no time in jogging to the staircase and taking the steps two at a time. Roman's parents' room stood open and empty, just as Jesse knew it would.
He turned toward Roman's room, finding the door also open. Roman lay sprawled across the top of his comforter. He ran hot and never slept with blankets, even with the air conditioner blasting.
Man, Jesse knew way too much about Roman. He laughed to himself and shook his head as he entered his friend's room.
"Rome," he said, knowing it was a long shot to wake him with anything short of cannon fire.
Roman rolled over with a groan.
Jesse kicked the leg of his bed. "Roman."
Nothing.
Looking around, he tried to find something to wake him. Finding nothing, he leaned over the bed and shook Roman by the shoulders.
Roman's arm shot out, hitting Jesse's neck with so much force it stole his breath. He stumbled back, coughing.
"What's going on?" Roman sat up, his eyes dancing around the room before settling on Jesse. It took him a moment to speak again. "Dude, two questions. What the heck are you doing in my room? And what's wrong with you?"
Jesse bent over, putting his hands on his knees. "I came to wake you up," he wheezed.
Roman's eyes settled on the digital clock next to his bed. He flopped back. "Go away."
"No."
"So help me, Jesse, someone better be dying for you to show up at six in the stupid morning."
Jesse turned toward the door. "Get up and get dressed. I'll meet you downstairs in five."
"You still haven't told me why you’re dragging me out of bed."
"It's a surprise."
"I hate surprises."
