Chapter 7

           It was around two-thirty when Chance, Andy, and I sat down to eat lunch. We decided to get three different things from three different food courts and just share it all. Andy got a small pepperoni pizza, Chance got chicken strips with fries, and I got fried shrimp. We each bought our own drink.

           I set my phone down on the table we were sitting at and stole one of Chance's fries. “Hey!” Chance whined as he jerked his fries away. “Share!” I said jacking the fries from his hand and popping another in my mouth. Chance jerked the fries back and set them in the middle of me, him, and Andy. “You guys are like brother and sister.” Andy said popping one of my shrimp in his mouth. “More like sister and sister.” I said grinning and sipping some of my dr. pepper. Chance looked at me and then threw one of the fries at me.

           “Hey, don't throw fries at my girlfriend!” Andy said out loud. Chance and I look at each other then at Andy. “Girlfriend?” we both said in unison. Andy's eyes got big. You can tell he didn't mean to say it like that. “I mean, you know. Ashtyn is a girl, and she is my friend.” Andy tried to explain. Chance and I just stared at him. “Andy, we know what you mean.” I said laughing. “I know you didn't mean it like “girlfriend” like we are dating. Did you?” “No, no, no! Not like that. It was a miss understanding.” He said with his eyes wide. “It's ok.” I said laughing. I knew that was what he meant.

            Poor Andy. For the next ten minutes he wouldn't even look at me. He embarrassed himself pretty good. I don't blame him. Just for some strange reason he keeps embarrassing himself in front of me. Yesterday he was about to kiss me. That I wanted him to do. But my stupid self for stopping him. And now, he called my his 'girlfriend'.” that I also wouldn't mind being. But what is the use of it?

            “Oh, Ashtyn. Andy told me that you are mov-” Chance was saying while I picked up a shrimp. Then, all of a sudden, Chance yelped out in pain. That scared me enough to were my shrimp flew from my hand. “My shrimp!” I cried out while I looked at the ground. “Andy, what was that for!” Chance said as he held his leg on his seat. I am guessing either Andy stepped on Chance's foot or kicked him. I looked back at them. Andy just nudged Chance's arm and gave him a glare. Apparently, Chance was about to say something Andy didn't want him to say. I knew what is was.

            Chance finally got what Andy was saying through his expression, I guess. Then Andy looked over at me and smiled lightly. “Chance, you ok? What were you going to say?” “Chance looked at Andy who was glaring at him again. “I was going to say that,” There was a pause for a moment. I could tell he was thinking of something to say. “That Andy told me you loved the presents he got you yesterday.” Chance said rubbing his leg and glaring back at Andy. I just nodded and smiled lightly.

            Nice going you two. Way to make it noticeable to me. I knew what Andy was saying in the expression toward Chance. “Say that sentence, I'm gonna hurt you.” it took a few minutes and some pain toward Chance, but Andy got it across to him. I'm guessing that Andy didn't want Chance o say it and we all get worked up about it. That's one reason I want to forget it for the next three weeks.

            After we ate, we went and explored the mall some more. While we were walking, I saw an arcade room. Oh, that is the one place I love. I dragged Andy and Chance into the room. “Come on. I want to play games. Chance, you can win me a prize since you wore a thong in Victoria Secret.” I said laughing at him. “Fine, I'll get you a prize. We both will.” Chance said nudging Andy in the arm.

            I was walking around the arcade room when I found Dance Dance Revolution. That is my favorite game. I ran over to Andy who was at the air hockey table battling Chance. I tugged on his jacket and looked up at him. I didn't realize I was like an ant compared to him. He looked like a giraffe from down here.

            “What, Ash?” Andy said laughing. “Come play D.D.R with me.” I said as I tried to tug him to the D.D.R game. “You know I can't dance.” He said laughing. “Please!” I said as I tugged on his jacket more and more. I was like a little kid jumping up and down, begging their parents for candy at a candy store. “Ok.” Andy said laughing. “I'll play with you.” Andy said laughing as he stepped onto the game mat.

            It was around three games later when I found out Andy was winning by a couple thousand points. “I thought you said you can't dance.” I said as I laughed and stepped too the right like the screen showed. “I can't.” Andy said as he followed the screen's steps. “Liar.” I said as I grinned and looked at him. Some how, I misread the screen and did the wrong step and I fell to my left.      Next thing you know, I open my eyes to see Andy on top of me. “Are you ok?” He asked as he looked into my eyes. I wanted to say “Now I am”, but I didn't. “Yeah, I'm alright.” I said as I lightly laughed and looked into his light blue eyes.

           The connection was there again. I could feel his stare in me. I could feel his body press up against mine. He was leaning into kiss me. I could feel the heat of his lips by mine. His left hand gently moved a piece of my bangs and then lightly cupped my face. I moved my right arm around his neck as he leaned in even closer. Closer than he was yesterday. I wasn't going to stop him this time. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to know what it felt like.

           He was centimeters away from kissing me. Then chance butted in. He cleared his throat and looked at me and Andy. “Are you guys, you know...” Chance said. Andy and I looked at each other and jumped up. “No. Just friends.” Andy said as he lightly chuckled and looked around. “Yeah. Friends.” I said in a depressing manner as I looked at the ground and fixed my shirt. I wanted to be more than just “friends” with him. I know he wanted to as well. Will we ever be?