Lars and Sadie

Chapter Two

Sadie's POV

As I exit the Big Donut, I feel my heart practically beating out of my chest. There's a soft ringing in my ears too, as I feel my face beginning to flush, either from the cold or the rush of seeing Lars again. He hadn't changed much, which didn't make seeing him any easier. It felt like nothing had changed, and it was like I was just coming in to work. I wasn't a customer, I was an employee. 

I do need to get some sort of job while I'm here.

Maybe I could reapply?

I start making my way back home. Staring down at my sneakers, my mind starts to drift away again. I think about the island, and the multiple times we were there together. I think of our silly arguments that we thought were so serious at the time. Then I think about the night we broke up. A lump begins to form in my throat. Looking up, I see I'm passing the board walk. I stop for a moment, seeing the sun begin to set. I cross my arms, feeling a chill from the wind. But my eyes don't stop looking at the sun set. It finally touches the oceans edge, and illuminates itself on the water, making it look orange, red and yellow.

I've missed this town.

I begin walking once more. Children squeal and run along the beach. I even pass two ladies jogging. The town has gotten more active since the last time I was here.

I wonder what changed?

After awhile, I finally make it to my house. Before taking a step forward I see the steps to my porch. I suck in a breath, and take each step up the stairs. I exhale loudly, and brush it off. Opening the door, I smell something cooking. "Mom?" I say, closing the door behind me. Turning my head, I see my luggage waiting for me by the basement door.
"Hey Sadie!" My mom says, "You hungry?" My stomach instantly growls.

"I could eat!"

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I sit across from my mom at the dining table. She basically tears the alfredo noodles in to small pieces as she eats. She slurps, "So, how was you first day back today?"
"It was...fine." I have barely touched my food.
"Well, where did you go?" I pause and think.
"I went to the board walk for a bit, then I went to the beach and saw some seagulls," I chuckle, "I haven't seen those in awhile." My mom nods, listening intensely, like she was waiting for something. "Then...I...I went to the Big Donut-" She slams her fist on the table, making me jump.
"That's amazing!" She says enthusiastically, "Did you see him? Lars?" I feel my chest burn a bit.
"Um...yeah. I did, I saw Lars."
"What happened?" My mom was pressing for so many questions, which usually would make me anxious but I couldn't break her spirit. She didn't like to admit it, but she was rooting for me and Lars from the very beginning. "I see him from time to time but he seems like he's changed!" I almost shake my head, still seeing him as the old Lars. 

I stand up, "I think I'm going to unpack, mom." I grab her now empty plate so she didn't have to get up and do more work. "Thanks for making dinner though, I appreciate it."
"Of course!" As I put the dishes in the sink, I hear my mom grunt, trying to get up. I run to her side, and help her up. "Thanks, kiddo." I smile in response, and lead her to the couch. Once she sits down, I head to the basement door, and open it. I grab my first suitcase and roll it with me down the stairs. The purple walls stare at me and I feel a sense of nostalgia in this room. Sighing, I pick up the suitcase and place it on my bed. I begin to unpack it, and hum a simple tune.

I wonder what Lars is up to.

I tsk at my thought of Lars.

I need to stop thinking about him so much.

Putting those clothes away, I start to go back upstairs for the next suitcase. Once I make it to the top, I see I still have multiple bags and boxes to unpack.

I guess this'll distract me for a bit.

Lars POV

I stare back at myself from my bathroom mirror. I was planning on staying in today but maybe I could take Sadie out. But not on a date, just on an outing. Putting it like that though, it sounds like I'm asking her out on a date. I groan, rubbing my face, trying to keep my mind focused on the task at hand. Leaving the bathroom I head to my bedroom, going straight to my closet. Taking a step inside, I start to rummage through all my clothes. Nothing is fitting, or its too too casual.

Maybe I should pick out pants first.

I head to my dresser and open it up. I start taking out pants, hating them, then tossing them to the floor. This process repeats itself multiple times. I'm starting to feel myself get frustrated, so I just grab a pair of plain black jeans. Going back to my closet, I grab a basic white t-shirt and slip that on. Stepping out of my closet, I go to my gauge collection, and take out the current ones I was wearing.

Now this can't possibly be that hard of a decision.

I grab my skull gauges and place those in. Before leaving my room, I stop by my full length mirror. I lean forward, trying to fix my hair up a bit. "Alright, Lars. This is not a date, and you know that. But, just have fun. Don't do anything stupid." I smile at myself, thinking that was a pretty decent pep talk. Once I leave my house, my ears are bombarded by the sounds of crickets and the slight howl of the cold wind. Quickly, I run back inside and grab a black jacket. Then when I'm back outside, I begin to walk to Sadie's.

This is going to be easy, just...ask her.

"Hey Sadie," I say to myself, rehearsing, "Want to go out? Not like a date?" I shake my head.

"Heyyy...Sadie." I shake my head again. 

"Hey P2!" I smack my head, embarrassed.

I haven't called her that in years!

Before I know it, I'm in front of her house. I take a few deep breaths, starting to get a bit nervous now. 

There's no turning back, I want to do this so I should go for it.

I walk up her porch steps, and take out my hand from my pocket. I struggle to decide whether to knock on the door or ring the door bell. Before I could decide, the door swings open. I'm greeted to a tower of boxes, and they almost run in to me. "Hey!" The boxes fall to the floor and Sadie stands behind them. She wears a loose rock t-shirt and wears pajama shorts underneath.
"Lars!" She says, surprised. "What are you doing here?" She begins to pick up boxes, stacking them up again. I bend down, and grab three of them. Placing one under my arm, I hold the other two in my hands with ease.
"I uh...was wondering if you wanted to go out for drinks and catch up?" Her eyes widen slightly, not knowing what to say, so I wait patiently. Slowly, she begins to grin, her teeth showing slightly.
"Sure, I'd love to. Let me go change first." She walks past me, tossing the boxes towards her trash can. Before I could continue the conversation, she runs back inside and slams the front door. I chuckle softly, and I put the remaining boxes inside the trashcan.

I think that went well.

Now I just have to make it through tonight.

I lean against the railing of the porch, waiting. Suddenly, the door opens again and she steps back out. She wears a burgundy crop top and a denim jean jacket with high waisted ripped jeans.

Effortlessly pretty as always.

I smile meekly at her, ignoring my thoughts. "Ready?" I ask her. She nods and we both walk off the porch.

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