Hide (Sequel to RUN)

Chapter 11

"Anything I can help you find?" I glanced over my shoulder at him. He looked around seventeen, tall, red-haired. The freckles were a nice touch.

"Anything healthy you could find at a grocery store?"

"We've got chips."

"Not exactly what I'm looking for," I chuckled. "But it will have to do." The two of us dashed around the store, picking up things that would fit in my saddle bag. I had to draw the limit at five large bags of chips. I would barely be able to fit three in my bags with the half gallon. Luckily, the station sold backpacks.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good cover.

"I'm off on my break in a minute. You wanna talk about that boy problem of yours?" he asked at the check-out. I grinned at the prospect of having a normal conversation with an actual normal person. I stuffed the items in my new bag, mulling it over.

"Would I be able to stuff the milk back in the fridge so it doesn't spoil?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

"My name's Nathan, by the way," he smiled as we sat down at an old table.

"Lexia," I smiled, playing a safe card. Alexia is technically my name. Just a different translation of it. It's the American version of Lekia. Or Lekia is the Hawaiian name for Lexia. However you prefer to look at it.

"Do you wanna dive right into it, or do you wanna beat around the bush?" he asked.

"Well, what else can we talk about?"

"Why don't we start with whatever you want."

"This guy problem of mine...it's kinda bad."

"So, do you wanna talk about it?" I squeezed my hands together. Was I really about to open up to this random stranger I found on a gas station?

"I think I do," I mumbled, meeting his eyes. "But it's really, really bad."

"I work at a gas station. I've seen some pretty bad stuff." I chuckled. He didn't know the half of it.

"He played with me," I chose my words carefully. I was telling the truth, just not the whole truth.

"Why would anyone want to play with your heart?" Nathan asked. He seemed sincere. "I mean, any guy who would cheat on you is an idiot." He'd taken the thought trail I'd wanted him to take.

"That's very nice of you to say," I pushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear, "but it happened. And I have...a genetic disorder...that makes me unable...unable to...um."

"To cry?" I looked up at him in surprise.

"Those bathroom doors aren't near as soundproof as people think," Nathan explained. "One time, I heard a couple doing it in there." I laughed despite myself.

"Why would you want to do something intimate like that in a gas station bathroom?" I chuckled.

"I really don't know," he chuckled back. "But they were."

~~~~~~~~~~~

We ended up talking for a good hour or so. He had to stop because his break ended.

"Thank you," I told him, getting up. "Not many people would have done that."

"Hey, anything to make a girl smile."

"Your girlfriend is very lucky," I told him.

"I'm the lucky one," Nathan winked, before walking back into the gas station. I shouldered my backpack, staring at the place where he'd disappeared. It had been nice to feel normal. Even if it was only for an hour.