Page 9 of Nix
Checking the soil for moisture under the mulch and making sure the fertilizer had taken, Nix felt himself relax. Maybe things weren’t going perfectly in his new city but that didn’t mean that Nix was a failure. It just took time to settle in.
The way his mind worked always had Nix struggling to be calm.
Calm was boring!
Nix needed action and fun. Except when it came to his little corner of heaven. Pumpkins weren’t the hardest thing to grow so he was lucky that his obsession was obtainable. It wasn’t like Aries could have his own apple trees in his apartment. And Gem didn’t live in a place to even grow grapes. Nix was quite lucky that way.
Oh! He should send a picture to his mom! She would be so proud of him. Maybe he would even send it in the group chat so his brothers could see how awesome he was.
That was a wonderful idea!
Nix hurried back inside and grabbed his phone. Walking back out, he opened the camera app and looked up.
He froze.
Was that…? Nix squinted as he peered across the street to the condos facing him.
Holy shit!
He closed the camera and opened his text messages.
‘Hi, bestie!’Nix watched with a smile as Mules glanced away from the book in his hands to the table beside him. Nix bounced in place as he waited. Yes! Evan was reaching for it!
‘Shouldn’t you be resting before the game?’Mules sent back.
Nix cackled. This was the best day ever! He quickly answered.‘I just got off the phone with my brother. Then I learned something that is the most amazing thing ever!’
‘I’m almost afraid to ask.’Mules sent.
‘Don’t be scared!’Nix replied.‘I’d protect you from anything. That’s what best friends do!’He was amazing like that.
Through the window Mules shook his head. But was he smiling? Nix thought Mules was totally smiling.‘What did you learn? Does it have to do with pumpkins?’
Well, no not technically but if Nix hadn’t come to check on his babies he would have missed seeing his neighbor through the open blinds.‘Do you want to learn about pumpkins? I could teach you! I know everything!’
‘Everything? That seems quite impossible.’
Okay, that might have been a stretch.‘Almost everything. I know more about pumpkins than Aries knows about apples or Gem knows about grapes.’
‘Good for you,’Mules told him.
‘My mom is the best at growing everything. She taught me. I’ll teach you.’
‘I appreciate the offer. Is that what you learned?’
Learned? Oh!‘No! What I learned is even better!’
‘Should I guess?’Mules sent after he sipped from what appeared to be a delicate cup.
‘I found out that I have the best neighbor! It’s going to be so fun!’
Across the street Mules frowned at his phone.‘It’s good to be making friends. I bet you miss your brothers.’
Nix didn’t want to think about his brothers. Not when he was so happy.‘New bestie! We can have movie night. Or play my game console. And walk around the neighborhood. We can even eat all our meals together! I’m making so many plans!’
‘That’s nice.’
Mules didn’t know how nice. He was still frowning as he looked at his phone.‘So what is your favorite movie?’
