chapter 5 chance encounter

Chapter 5: Chance Encounter

I woke up that morning to the light coming in my open window and the chirping of a little bird. With a sigh I swing myself out of bed and wander downstairs. The house is quiet and I assume dad’s gone to work already. I went to the kitchen and grabbed a soda. I opened it and went to sit on the back porch and play with Patrick. I jumped when my phone went off loudly. I jumped back inside and ran to the living room where I’d left it last.

“What?” I said a little annoyed when I noticed it was Laura.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to the mall?” she whined.

“Laura, it’s Sunday, I was going to sleep in and get some work done,” I whined back.

“Oh come on, come enjoy the day with us!” she shouted.

“Us?” I groaned.

“Yes, Joey’s coming with,” she giggled.

“Oh great, the school jock,” I groaned.

“He’s not the school jock,” she sighed, “He’s a simple soccer player and I happen to think he is the hottest thing since George Clooney!”

“Yeah well in my opinion the guys the dumbest thing since Paris Hilton,” I laughed at my own joke alone.

“That’s not funny Lily and you know it. Besides Joey’s just different, he can’t concentrate.”

“More like one too many balls to the head,” I laughed mercilessly.

“Well this isn’t about him is it, come hang out with us?” she pleaded.

“Why do I have to come?” I exclaimed into the phone.

“Because I don’t want to be alone with him!” she cried.

“He’s your boyfriend!”

“Yeah but… I… he’s…”

“Fine, if it will end the constant babbling,” I sighed.

“Oh thanks so much Lily!” she squealed in my ear and I flinched.

“No prob,” I sighed.

“Alright we’ll come by and pick you up around ten, bye, bye!” she squealed again and then hung up.

“Goodbye then,” I sighed after the line went dead. I sighed and then went back upstairs and took a shower. When I was done I pulled on my old blue jeans and a blue plaid shirt and slipped into my overused sandals. When ten rolled around I was outback playing with my dog. The doorbell rang an I said my goodbyes quickly. I grabbed my purse and bolted.

“Hey Lil,” Joey shouted from his brand new huge red ford truck.

“Lily!” Laura shouted as she jumped out, “I’m sorry there’s not much room in the cab but you can ride in the trunk, I’m sure it’s safe!”

“What!” I shrieked.

“The back!” she shrugged and pointed towards the trunk before getting back in.

“Fine,” I growled.

“Hold on tight!” Joey yelled as he hit the gas pedal hard.

“Like I have a choice,” I grumbled. I waited patiently while holding on for dear life. We got to the mall and I was filled with relief. I was sickened as Joey grabbed Laura and dragged her along into the mall leaving me alone to follow behind. Laura tried to look back and give me an apologetic look but I pretended to ignore it.

“Hey Joey!” I heard one of his friends laugh. I strangled a groan. I was glad to see that he released her to go hug his buddy though.

“Let’s go shop while he chats it up with his friends,” she sighed to me.

“Did you know they were going to be here?” I asked her indiscreetly pointing towards what looked like the whole soccer team and several of their girl friends.

“No,” she sighed, “but I bet he knew.”

“Hey Laura,” he screamed back at her, “Why don’t you go find us something to eat!”

“I’m not your servant!” she shouted back.

“Hey babe, come on, it’d be really great of you,” he flirted in her ear as he came back to us.

“No!” she whispered while stomping her foot.

“You’d be the best girlfriend in the world,” he giggled close to her ear.

“I’ve heard that before,” she whispered quietly.

“Won’t you please,” he whispered desperately.

“Fine,” she fumed and walked off. After a threatening look towards him I ran off after her.

“What’s his problem?” I huffed running up beside her in line.

“He’s just showing off for his friends,” she sighed, “What do you think he’d like?”

“What?”

“What do you think he’d like?”

“Get him the extra meaty, meat,” I giggled.

“No, I’m serious. If I don’t get the right thing he’ll yell his head off.

“Who’ll yell his head off,” I heard the familiar voice behind me.

“Oh Will, I wasn’t expecting you here,” Laura squealed, her face brightening.

“What are you a professional stalker!” I screamed, “What are you doing here?”

“Hey, calm down, I was shopping with my girlfriend,” he laughed. I felt my heart fly out of my chest and my jaw drop.

“Your girl friend?” I asked disbelieving and outraged to his amused face.

“Don’t worry I’m just joking!” he laughed, doubling over while he said it.

“Like it matters,” I huffed and stepped away.

“I can see it in your eyes, you want me,” he laughed pulling me back.

“Get off,” I squealed and struggled to be free.

“Lily, he’s just messing around, lighten up,” Laura giggled.

“Well I don’t appreciate it,” I sighed as he let go and I straightened up.

“She never was one for joking,” Laura sighed.

“I can tell,” he snickered.

“Shut up,” I said as I punched him.

“Ow!’ he said in outrage to Laura, trying to hide a smile, “See what abuse I have to put up with around her.”

“Yeah, she is a rather violent person,” she smirked.

“You guys are so mean.

“So what brings the two of you lovely ladies to this fine shopping establishment we call mall?”

“What kind of question is that?” I muttered but he ignored and Laura talked over me.

“Oh, my boyfriend invited me and I brought her along.”

“Why are you here?” I asked insultingly.

“I told you,” he laughed.

“No, why are you really here?”

“I’m going to go get some food, let you two talk,” Laura said as she sneaked away.

“Well,” he huffed sarcastically.

“Answer the question stalker boy,” I demanded through gritted teeth.

“I was looking for you I guess,” he laughed putting his hand behind his head. “I was on the road when you drove by, or well I saw you in the trunk and I was a little worried.”

“Yeah,” I blushed and looked down suddenly, “My friends can be a little crazy at times… hey you really were stalking me!” I grinned.

“I guess I was,” he smirked and looked at me, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m waiting on Laura now I guess…”

“Why don’t you come with me?”

“I promised Laura I’d stay with her,” I sighed and looked down again.

“She can come with us,” he suggested softly.

“I… I guess,” I said hesitantly, “I’ll ask when she comes back.”

“Ask me what?” she said cheerfully as she came back bearing a tray of food.

“Will was wondering if we’d go walk around with him,” I said, a little unsure because he hadn’t specified.

“Something like that,” he smirked.

“Um… Joey wanted to hang out so… why don’t you two go on alone,” she smirked.

“But Laura, I thought you didn’t want to be left alone with him,” I whispered.

“Yeah but I’m not alone,” she giggled, “meet up with us at Charley’s at six.” She giggled, winked at me, and then ran off.

“Well that was weird,” I sighed.

“Not that weird.”

“Oh and how was that not weird?”

“She got the hint,” he said simply and started to walk on.

“Hey” I shouted following him, “What hint?”

“The hint,” he chuckled.

“What?” I said angrily.

“The I want some alone time with your best friend hint,” he laughed looking back at me.

“Fine,” I groaned, “Where are we going?”

“I don’t know, where do you want to go?” he laughed and turned back to me.

“I don’t care as long as there are people around,” I muttered.

“Are you afraid I’m going to take you into a dressing room and stick a knife in your heart,” he laughed.

“Well…”

“If I wanted to kill you I would have done it already.”

“Don’t you have any friends of your own?”

“I do… but they’re not the kind who would hang around the mall,” he sighed.

“Well why don’t you go hang out with them wherever they like to hang out.”

“Because I’d rather hang out with you,” he sighed and turned around.

“Well that’s thoughtful,” I sighed.

“Do you not want to hang out with me?” he said acting hurt.

“Well… I don’t even know if half the things you’ve said are true and you could be lying about the whole kill me thing and now you’re working to gain my trust,” I smiled curtly.

“What can I do to make you believe?”

“At this point there’s nothing you can really do.” We walked in silence for a while longer.

“Are you sure I can’t earn your trust in any way?”

“I can’t think of anything.”

“What if I saved your life?”

“Why would you need to save my life?”

“I don’t know, I was just wondering.”

“Well now if I say yes then you’d set something up, I wouldn’t be able to trust you.”

“You’re impossible,” he sighed.

"Hey Willy!” I heard someone shout from behind us, “Who’s the new girlfriend?”

“I am not his girl friend!” I screamed.

“Oh she’s not my girlfriend,” he said after a quick laugh.

“Oh well that can’t be right, the great Willy always gets the girl,” he laughed then extended his hand towards me, “Hi, I’m Eric.”

“Nice to meet you… I suppose,” I said grudgingly while looking at Will and extending my hand. I was taken aback when Eric pulled my hand up and kissed it.

“My pleasure,” he whispered with a smirk.

“Alright, nice job Johnson, we all know you’re a suave guy,” Will sighed with a role of his eyes when Eric didn’t release my hand.

“Oh please, like I’d let this one go,” he laughed, “So have you two known each other long?” he whispered as he dragged me further along.

“Eric, would you leave us alone!” Will exclaimed running up from behind.

“I… we met last Saturday!” I said a little outraged.

“Oh wow that’s the fastest he’s ever gotten a girl, I do believe,” he giggled in my ear, keeping me just out of reach of Will.

“Excuse me but he has not gotten me!” I said outraged trying to stop him from dragging me.

“That’s what you think,” he grinned.

“Will!”

“Coming sweetheart,” he laughed while grabbing onto my arm.

“What is this, are you guys kidnapping me!”

“No, we’re just forcing you to be social,” giggled Eric from behind me, “Let’s have lunch.”

“But I don’t want…”

“Nonsense, you didn’t even have breakfast,” he laughed loudly.

“What is this were you stalking me! How the hell did you know that?” I shouted as they dragged me into some restaurant.

“Now why don’t you introduce us properly,” he sighed once we’d been seated.

“Well, first I think we should establish that you stole her away before I could properly introduce you two,” sighed Will. I was sitting stunned looking at Eric with my mouth wide open.

“Well she just looked too good to pass up now would you mind?” he asked waving my way.

“Oh yes, sweety would you mind closing your mouth, your starting to drool?” Will whispered in my ear. This broke my silence.

“I am not your sweety,” I seethed.

“Oh come now darling, let’s behave,” he giggled.

“Now for introductions,” sighed Eric folding his hands on the table top, “My name is Eric Johnson and I’m in Will’s ga…”

“Game… club,” Will stuttered interrupting what Eric was about to say. I sat stunned and silent staring at Wills worried face.

“Gang?” I said curtly.

“Yes, well, it used to be a gang,” Eric stuttered, “Look it’s time to order,” he said suddenly as a waitress appeared. “I’ll have a Coke thank you.”

“Water,” whispered Will not bothering to look at her.

“Same,” I whispered. Will seemed to relax a bit when he heard me speak.

“Yes, well. What’s your name?” Eric asked quietly.

“Lily,” I sighed looking down at the menu finally.

“Oh so you’ll tell him your name but not me!” he shouted playfully but I shot him a look that shut his mouth instantly.

“Lily,” he sighed, “What a pretty name.”

“Yes, it was my grandmother’s,” I sighed.

“That’s nice,” he sighed looking at his own menu.

“So I hear you two met at the bookstore?”

“You hear right,” I whispered.

“How sweet,” he sighed, “did he just come up and start talking to you?”

“Yes,” I seethed.

“Yeah that’s how he normally…”

“Eric, why don’t you just shut up,” I heard Will’s frustrated voice beside me.

“What, I was just giving her a heads up!”Eric said defensively.

“So Eric, do you go to school with Will?” I asked suddenly, not looking up.

“School?” he laughed questioningly. I closed my eyes and sank back on my chair.

“Yes Lily, he goes to school with me,” Will said suddenly.

“Really because it sounded to me like neither of you have attended for quite some time,” I sighed.

“Yeah, well, we have a habit of skipping,” he stuttered. I shut my menu and put it on the table.

“Look,” I said on the verge of tears, “I… I don’t want this, can’t you just please leave me alone.” We sat in awkward silence for the longest time.

“Hey, I do go to school with him,” said Eric comfortingly, “Just ask Coach Lee,” he smiled.

“Sure,” I whispered. I was stunned with overwhelming fear. How come it was me here with these people. I didn’t do anything ever, I don’t go out on limbs yet here I was with a bunch of rebels ordering lunch like nothing was wrong.

“Lily, nothing’s wrong, I wouldn’t hurt you ever,” I heard Will on my other side as he put his hand on my back.

“If you want, you can leave,” Eric whispered beside me. I wiped a tear from my eye.

“Oh no, no tears,” he faked horror, “I can’t handle the tears!”

“How do I know, how can I tell!” I shouted suddenly looking up revealing the tears that had been running down my cheek, “I really want this, I want to talk to you guys and take the risk but I just don’t know.

“Hey, come on now, don’t do this,” Eric held my hand, “We’re not bad guys, you’ll be ok.”

“Lily, you don’t have to,” Will whispered, “If it would make you happy we can go to Laura and the soccer boys and we can sit with them.”

“No I’m fine,” I took a deep breath.

“Good, cause I’m starved,” Eric said quickly dropping my hand and looking back to his menu, “and here’s the waiter right on time.” Will never stopped watching me warily. When the waiter left I dried my tears on my napkin. I looked around and some people were watching us but no one seemed ready to leap to my defense if they decided to take me out. I sighed and tried to calm myself.

“Hey, so are you ready for school tomorrow?” I heard Will said softly beside me.

“No way,” I sighed.

“Why?”

“I just hate putting up with it all, plus I’ve left all my physics homework to tomorrow night,” I sighed.

“I wish I could help with that,” he whispered.

“Me too,” I sighed. He gave me a small smile and then I realized what I’d said. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“You know when he said gang he just meant our circle of friends,” he laughed.

“Yeah, I know I overreacted. And with the whole school thing…. I was just thinking of all the things that could go wrong,” I whispered before taking a huge sip of water.

“Yeah, it’s ok, I get it. You’re not used to new thing,” he smiled.

“No, I’m sort of a secluded person,” I whispered.

“I’ve noticed,” he laughed softly.

The rest of the dinner Will and Eric talked softly about school and what was on the menu. I listened as they discussed some movie they’d seen and then they started babbling about the lighting. I laughed when they started making up stories about the people around us. As time went on I was a little jealous of how much freedom they seemed to have. I sat silently the whole time eating my food and laughing sometimes. Neither of them gave me grief about it, nor anything else for which I was eternally grateful. When they were finished they shook hands and Eric walked away after giving me a wink and an encouraging smile.

 

Author's Note

please

Reviews

[Amy]

good!