A Moment With You

CHAPTER 8 | Meeting

Words have the power to either lift or kill the soul
It can transform life
Or create a new one.
Some are written, some are spoken,
Yet some words are left unsaid
until such time when it's needed the most
Like an "I love you" or an "I miss you"
some words are never spoken or written at all...

But I hope these words reach your heart
be still, I pray you'll have a sweet night... 

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It seemed like a long walk or was it just because they slowed they took small and slow steps going to the bookstore. Ray just walked quietly with Irene, but as he glanced at her from time to time, he started to see her focused on her way to the bookstore...her thoughts not that of reminiscing.

"What time is it?" Irene asked.

Ray looked at his watch. "It's 6:45."

"We still have time." and she started to quicken her pace. Ray followed.

Irene let out a sigh as they finally reached the bookstore's yard, however before they can enter, a loud familiar voice, suddenly called out.

"OUT OF THE WAY!"

Ray suddenly pulled Irene to his side as Alice, riding her bike, suddenly dashed into the yard before they can enter.

"Did you see that?!" Alice suddenly asked them excitedly.

"What?" Ray turned towards Alice while Irene peeked from what looked like Ray's embrace. He had placed his arms around her as if protecting her from an attacker.

Alice turned to them. "You guys seemed pretty close now huh. It's good you guys are now friends. Zero awkwardness..." She commented as she gave them a thumbs-up.

Ray looked at Irene who met his gaze. Realizing how they stood there, they suddenly pulled away from each other.

"Wha--hu--what were you doing?" Irene asked breathing heavily from the shock.

"Oh! I tried that speed thing one of the high school students taught me." Alice explained. "I always wanted to do a grand entrance. You know, coming up in speed then suddenly stopping with a turn."

"Oh, but that's dangerous," Irene said.

"Yeah, I know." Alice agreed excitedly, "Which made it even cooler...."

That's not even cool, Ray thought.

"ALICE!!!"

Ray and Irene turned to yet another voice calling out from behind. This time, it sounded like someone unfamiliar -- at least for Ray. It's a good thing that instead of rushing towards them, she stopped at the entrance.

A young lady, perhaps the same age as Alice, came to them riding a bike. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail as she wore jeans and the same college sweater Ray saw Alice was wearing when he first met her. This one, however, seemed sensible. Other than the fact she stopped, she was breathing heavily and was looking worriedly at Alice.

"Why did you suddenly went fast. That was dangerous!"

Yes, she seemed sensible, Ray thought.

"I just had to try it! I suddenly felt it in the wind." Alice defended. Her friend just gave a disgruntled and tired look but suddenly was surprised when she turned to where Ray and Irene stood.

"Hello, I'm sorry for rushing like that." She apologized.

"Don't worry Crystal, you're early tonight," Irene said.