Just Enemies (Original Story)

Deep Breath

Lena's dad wasn't in the picture anymore but she saw him in the summer. Kat stopped seeing him and he doesn't pester her to come. The divorce was amicable and since Lena's mom is a family doctor she makes enough and with the child support it's less stress. Once they got home they both remembered that they forgot to get cat food for Nacho. He was a lean tabby with a personality. He had these three stripes on his head that made him look like a tiger.

"Kat can you go get Nacho some food we forgot to get it."

"Alright let me just get dressed."

"Thanks honey."

"Kat can I come?."

"Ah...sure why not."

Lena sat around and waited for Kat and when her sister came out and they made their way to the car and to Walmart. At Walmart Kat went to the cosmetics as she was running low on some things. While in the cat food section Lena sees Rider and he's looking at the dog food. Does he have a dog? Lena attempts to be quiet and grabs the cat food but the box of thirty two cans is heavy and it makes a loud clang/thump as it thudded in the cart.  Rider looks to see the source and spots her.

"Oh hey! You're the girl in my class?."

"Lena..and you're Rider..."

"Yeah! I see you have a cat."

"His name is Nacho...he's a tabby and he turned one."

"Do you have a dog or are you looking at those collars for yourself....ah..that was a dumb joke I'm so sorry I talk in circles and I'm...stopping..now.."

"Haha that was funny here let me see."

Rider puts a collar around his neck and comes up to Lena. Smiles at her and tilts her chin up and the heat and electricity that charged and raced through her body was intense and she didn't understand.

"Do you think I can pull it off?"

"I..I...you look good...ummm..."

Rider pulls back and takes off the collar and smiles at her. A mocking sort of smirk across his lips. The feeling from a moment ago. Was it all Lena. Did he feel nothing. This was awkward. Lena looked for a way out but the conversation died and before long her older sister came up with her make up and they left Rider in the aisle. Kat was happy and then after buying the cat food and make up they both bought iced coffees and it was Kats turn to treat. Sitting there at the table Lena wanted to know what just happened. That wasn't normal was it? Was he toying with her.

"Kat...how do you know someone likes you?."

"Why? Is there a guy you like?."

"I dunno honestly being the chubby fat girl...I don't think I'm anyones type."

"Lena you are beautiful...there's nothing wrong with you..."

"Sure...but back to my question."

"Well it's really not hard. Most guys make a move and ask a gal out once they're sure."

"And how do they make sure?."

"Mmmm well you need to be sure he likes you and you like him."

"How do I know that."

"Well if he's on your mind alot then you like him. But once you get to know him you'll know for sure."

"That seems confusing."

"Oh it is but it gets easier over time."

"Oh yay..."

"Haha...so whose the boy?."

"I...the boy in the food aisle..."

"Oh! The one who was looking at the dog food?."

"Yeah..but I don't know if he likes me or is playing with me."

"Well at your age boys tend to be immature and even at my age. But if he's hot and cold he could be playing around with you. Maybe he just likes to flirt..."

"Oh..."

"But it could be more! How'd he flirt."

Lena thought back to Rider putting on the dog collar and coming up to Her with their faces inches apart. How he lifted her chin up to make her look in his eyes. She didn't want her sister knowing that it felt weird to share and embarrassing to openly talk about.

"I...he was smiling..."

"Hmm well I can't get much from that but who knows,he will show more over time but just focus on yourself Lena."

"Okay..."

They both got up and headed home and on the ride back with the street lights on. Lena's cheeks went red in the side view mirror-beat red. Objects are more embarrassed then they appear should be on that sticker. This was silly to be over thinking this. Rider is a flirt and Lena witnessed it with all the girls who flocked to him. So that night after a shower Lena fell asleep and tried to think of something else but in her dream that night Rider didn't just ask if the dog collar looked good. He kissed her. Lena woke up for school and realized this was a crush.