The Blink of an Eye

Chapter 10

I jumped in my seat a little, but then my startled face expression was replaced with a smile. Haley had plastered on the most welcoming smile she could find in her unemotional heart, and my mom just grinned, and motioned for me to answer the door. I stood up and raced to the door, a little eager.

I straightened myself out, inhaling and exhaling afterwards.

I answered the door reluctantly and standing there, was Brandon himself. He's so hot! I smiled as he walked in. "You came here earlier than I expected." I told him with a grin.

"I finished up everything early; I didn't want to disappoint your mom." He elaborated, looking around.

As soon as we got settled down and started eating, my mom had already begun prodding him with questions on top of more questions, and questions that link to even more questions, testing him. And as charming and brilliant as he is, without a surprise, he had won her over. She was officially in love with him, though we're not even at a level where she'd just test him. We're just friends.

After dinner, and dessert, which was chocolate fudge brownies and ice cream, my mom and Haley went upstairs and left me and Brandon alone. We sat on the back patio, just talking and laughing.

"I love your mom." He started up, glancing at his fingers and back at me. We both sat on the chairs that we parked at the patio table. The stars were out, and the wind was blowing, such a beautiful time for it to be in Washington.

"Thanks, she can be annoying." I stated with a laugh, rolling my eyes simply, ignoring the fact that they hurt every time I did.

"No, no. I love that she asks me questions; she's just looking after you. She doesn't want you hanging around bad influences." He confirmed with a shrug.

I gazed at him for a quick second, this coming from him, of course. He's so mature, it's almost cute. "What are you saying?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm just saying what I think. No harm in that." He replied tersely. I gave him a look. "Okay...look, I spotted you at school hanging out with that redhead chick, Lola, is it? And she...seems like she is what causes your bad habits, you know?" he admitted.

"Lola doesn't cause anything, she's cool. I'M the one who chooses to do what I do, she's always had my back, and I'm not going to start ditching her." I crossed my arms stubbornly, pursing out my lips.

"It was just a suggestion, Heather. Don't get so offended my it." He had a look of warning in his eyes, but I ignored it and stared out at the sky. I don't need anyone to tell me right from wrong, it's time I do stuff MY way, and quit when I'm ready to.

He looked around awkwardly as his hair blew in the wind, dancing; he had then quickly glanced at my hands, at the sky, and back at my hands once more. It's as if he was gazing at something horrible. I wrinkled my eyebrows, snatching my hands away, offended.

"What?" I asked, sounding half offended and half curious.

"Who did that to your knuckles?" He questioned softly, examining them as he pulled them close to his side.

I stared at him as the wind was blowing both of our hair.

"Heather, you should tell me." He said, his eyes settling into mine.

I breathed out a heavy sigh. "Nothing. Just a couple of rounds of quarters, as all." I contemplated with a shrug.

"What?" he responded quickly, cocking an eyebrow with a weird face expression.

I giggled in thought, "It's a game I play with my friends. See, you just press your knuckles against the desk and slide the quarter against it, and the ridges on it make cuts on your knuckles."

He glared at me and his face had softened up a bit, and it grew silent. Too silent. "....And, they're your friends?" He asked, not understanding.

I nodded.

"No friend of mines would want me to experience pain like that. I'm sorry Heather but...." His voice trailed off as I threw another look at him, warning for him not to tell me right from wrong.

He should respect how I live, and that I enjoy it.

He breathed out a sigh and stood up, scratching his head, "Look...I think it's best if I go, you know? I don't...really think....bye." he couldn't finish his sentence; he abandoned me from my own patio and walked away to the front yard, not bothering to leave the appropriate way.

I pursed my lips due to confusion, and I shrugged it off and went back inside. What's with him? After I cleared the table, which was always my thing during both Sunday breakfast and dinner, I took a shower, surfed around a little on my laptop, and went to bed, kind of ready for school.

________________

Comment, share, and vote.