Delphic Song

Chapter Three

Liam cleared his throat. “I’m Liam.”

Nate gave him a tight smile. “I know who you are, Liam.”

“What?” I frowned, looking between them. “You do? I thought you didn’t know each other.” When they ignored me, I snapped my fingers in between them. “Hello? Earth to you guys?”

Nate aimed one last rigid look in Liam's direction before turning back to me. “No, we don’t know each other,” he said. “We’ve just… met before.”

“Oh.” I processed this. “That’s… cool,” I said lamely.

An awkward silence issued.

“Well-” I started.

“I guess-” Nate said at the same time. I laughed, but it sounded way too loud and awkward, and since no one else was laughing, I stopped short. Nate smiled, but it was tense. I could practically smell the testosterone in the air, but I had no clue what it was about.

“You first,” I said, gesturing to Nate.

“I was just going to say that I should probably get going,” Nate said. “My… parents are probably wondering where I am.”

Liam checked his watch. “Yeah. It’s late. You better go home and get some sleep.” He smiled acidly at Nate.

I looked at him sharply. What was his deal?

Nate shot Liam a sneering look in return but didn’t comment. I wanted to throw my hands up in the air in exasperation, and I almost did before I realized that it would probably only make the situation worse.

Turning back to me, Nate gave me a genuine smile, further adding to my confusion. “Will you weigh my apples and then maybe walk me to my car?”

I nodded. “Sounds good.” I practically ran to the weighing stand to avoid the hostile glances the guys kept aiming at each other.

I hurriedly weighed the apples and then did the math, knowing that the faster I could get Nate out of here the faster I could speak to Liam about this… incident. Behind me, the two boys stood stiff, facing each other. Neither would relax the tight expression on his face. I couldn’t keep from rolling my eyes while I was safely looking away from them. Boys.  

Once I had finished adding and multiplying pounds and money, Nate and I gathered up the bags and began plodding towards Nate's car, a shiny red Ford pickup. Liam hadn’t moved, and still didn’t even when I passed him. I kept on walking, but when I heard him a stumbling of steps behind me, I turned around. As Nate went by, Liam ‘accidently’ bumped into him with his shoulder. “Oops,” he said.

I pressed my lips together, waiting for Nate's retort. But he ignored Liam’s jibs and kept on walking. I followed suit, praying that they were finished with their absurdity.

Nate dumped his apples in the back seat and gestured for me to do the same. I did and then followed him to the driver’s door, where Nate was leaning out the window, waiting to talk to me.

“So, Gwen,” he said, smiling.

“So, Nate,” I teased.

“Sorry about all that tension,” he apologized.

I waved him off. “It’s okay. It’s just that…” I frowned, speaking half to myself. “Liam is so kind. I’ve never known him to be that unfriendly.”

Nate didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned further out the window. “Let me make it up to you. Be here at six o’clock tomorrow night,” Nate said, his smile widening into a mischievous grin.