Saving Carter(complete)

part 9

I ended up taking a shorter run than originally planned.I was back with plenty of time to shower, curl my hair, and get dressed into a lavender sundress.I threw on some white vans, and was out the door.I laughed.I kinda looked like a kid again, but I didn't care.As I arrived to door 74, my heart pounded.Austin was a guy I had liked practically my whole life.But now he was my boss.So this isn't a date.This isn't a date.

I knocked.

He opened, a smile plastered on his face.

We walked. We lived downtown anyway, so all the restaurants were,in fact, walking distance. We rounded a corner.I shook my head and laughed.It was a pizza place. We sat down at a booth.We ordered one pizza, half cheese, half hawaiian.

"So", I swung my feet nervously.He laughed.

"What's your favorite color?", I asked.Of course I knew the answer.I felt like a freak stalker.

"What?"

"Well you said we should get to know each other"

"Right.I guess red.You?"

"Black", I shrugged,"It goes with everything".

"True"

"Your turn"

"Okay.Why did you decide to come to Japan?"

"Well, I was tired of California.My parents deciced to move here, I helped them, and I fell in love.You?"

"Oh that's a long story, Ellie.It's complicated.Had a lot of ties here when I did my tours and stuff.But speaking of love", he squinted,"Have you ever been in it?"

I blushed.

The question was so wildly inappropriate for a boss to ask.And how would I answer? Ya I loved you?!

"No, not really.What about you?"

"No I guess not.Maybe I'm missing something. 23 year olds should be happily married by now."

I laughed.

"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure 22 year old wonen are supposed to be too."

"Oh good, we can be abnormal together", he joked.

"Ok I guess it's your turn"

"Alright. How come you don't like to be in charge? I think it'd be fun to be 'big Mr Boss man' and tell people what to do."

He smirked.

"I don't know.I like to make friends Ellie.It's hard to do when you're so intimidating. And I like to crack jokes.If I wanna call someone an asshole, I'd rather it be like an exchange between two friends, not like a mean boss picking on people.And vice versa for my workers."

I smiled.

"Alright, asshole.", I said nudging him,"your turn".

"Okay, on a scale of one to ten, how much did you like my music?"

My eyes grew wide.

"Are you serious? 10 million plus one! I loved your music."

We both blushed.

"Well, I'd be happy to sign something for my loyal fan", he joked.

"Oh would you?", I batted my eyelashes and started doing an impersonation of a fangirl. We both blew into a fit of giggles.

I started to hum the tune of Say Somethin to tease him.As I was about to say the first line, he stopped me.

"Oh hell no, please.Ellie, if you so much as say another word, I will leave you here and you'll never find your way back home."

We laughed and I playfully punched his arm.

"Asshole."