Running From Them, Running To You

VIII-Running From Them, Running To You

            Chris poked his head in the door, making my heart jump.  “You scared me!” I accused, picking myself up off the carpet, only slightly embarrassed at being caught in such a position.

            He took in my un-prepped appearance.  “The bus is going to be here in a few minutes.  You should probably get ready.”

            I gave him warm smile.  In truth, I hadn’t even thought of him, but now I realized Chris would instantly know I’d skipped when I wasn’t on the bus.  Not that I should care what he thought, I told myself quickly.

            “Oh, don’t worry about it,” I easily lied.  “My friend is taking me to school today.  They should be here soon.”

            He bought it without question, shutting the door on his way out.  With a small smile, I shook my head.  Poor, innocent Chris.  He had so much to learn.

I twirled in the sun, relishing the feel of the sun’s warm rays on my bare arms and legs.  Finding my way downtown had been a hell of a lot easier during the day than my attempt a few nights ago. 

            Kenzington was a cute little town, something you might see in a magazine.  The main street was flanked by cobblestone sidewalks and brightly painted shops.  The doors were wide open, spilling air conditioning and cheerful conversations onto the street.  Passing by a bakery, a delicious aroma of fresh baked bread wafted out.  My stomach rumbled, reminding me of my lack of breakfast. 

            Fingering the twenty dollar bill in my back pocket, taken from one of Courtney’s drawers, I slowly made my way into the brightly lit store.  The smell was even more potent inside.  A plump man behind the counter gave me a wave as I entered.  I leaned against the counter, studying the menu on the wall. 

            “Shouldn’t you be in school?” the man asked with a knowing smile as I decided what to get.  He was middle-aged, with a deep welcoming voice.  Not the person you’d usually expect to run a bakery.

            Grinning, I shrugged.  “What type of business would you have then?”  I gestured to his few tables, the majority populated by high school students. 

            He laughed heartily.  “Very true, little miss.  That is very true.  So what’ll it be today?”

            In the end, I ordered a coffee piled high with whipped cream and a warm muffin that looked too good to pass up.  I brought my food over to a small table beside the window and slid into the seat.

            “Princess!  Didn’t expect to see you here.”  I glanced up just as Wade settled into the seat across from me.  Wade and I had gotten on relatively well this past week, though we both shared a decent amount of bickering.  He seemed not to have the capability of being serious.  I didn’t have time to wonder why he was here before I had to slap his hand away as he reached for my muffin.  He quickly maneuvered out of the way and snatched my coffee.  I rolled my eyes as he took a sip, but couldn’t help but laugh when he dropped it quickly to the table.

            “Hot, hot, hot!”  He panted, fanning his tongue like a little kid.

            I flicked him on the forehead.  “You idiot!  It’s fresh coffee, of course it’s hot.

            Wade stuck his tongue out at me, which was bright red from the burn.  He was so immature, that it almost felt like we were back in elementary school.  I don’t think I’d had someone stick their tongue out at me since I was probably twelve.