Five Words

Chapter 4

~Cher

By the time we decide what we will be doing today, and after a whole lot of convincing, it is three in the afternoon. We have decided to repeat the tour, I unconsciously gave Adrian, last night. Then we will meet my friends that I have been dying to see all year. They are three people, Natalie, Melanie, and Oscar. They are the only friends I have in Rochefort-en-Terre and the only ones I have kept in touch with every since I went to Washington. I have taught them some English because, at that time, I still didn't get the hang of the French language. And that makes them perfect for Ace. He will be able to communicate with them with ease, and he won't be obligated to always be with us, if he every wanted to hangout or go out, and he won't be lonely when Adrian takes me out sometimes. Unable to understand why I am always looking out for Ace's feelings and comfort, I choose to walk into the kitchen and eat something before we go.

"I'll be outside, okay?" Ace informs me and turns to leave.

"Wait," I call out after him with a mouthful of cake.

He gives me a smile that just seems so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness and that unexpected warmth rushes through me. I need to make him smile more often, I note to myself.

"Do you want some cake?" I raise the plate in the air, and he just shakes his head no.

"Okay, sit for a while till Adrian comes down."

"He won't be long, so I'll just wait outside."

"Oh come on, why are you always like this? Just stay for a while." My voice comes out whiny and I cringe inwardly hoping he wouldn't embarrass me.

"Okay."

My heart leaps when he agrees. He slides onto a stool on the opposite side of me, supporting his weight on his elbows. I watch how his muscles flex

"So you are from Texas?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever ride a bull?"

He looks up at me and smiles again. My heart is beating so fast like the rumbling of thunder, and any faster, I swear it will jump out of my chest.

"Yes, and I won a championship too." The corner of his lips lifts up into a full-on smirk.

The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

"Really?" Unintentionally, I lean forward to the edge of my chair.

"Yes, and I beat your boyfriend by five seconds." His eyes dart to the side as he whispers as if he was telling me a secret.

"But Adrian says that he is the best."

I want this to last, I want him to keep talking to me. This is the longest conversation I have ever had with him, without an insult or a rude comment.

"Well, he wants to impress you. But I beat him last summer, and if you think five seconds is a small number, then your wrong. Five seconds are more like five minutes."

"A feisty cowboy, aren't you?"

My mouth speaks what I am thinking and I wish I can take them back as soon as I see his smile falter. Too early too soon, his hands are pushing his chair backward.

"This is ridiculous. We shouldn't be doing this."

He walks away without any explanations, and I am too shocked to stop him or to ask for one. I replay our conversation in my head. Our conversation has died faster than it was proceeding. I hate myself for trying to talk to him. I hate myself for trying at all.

"Hey, Cher." Adrian pulls my attention to him and I make an effort in forcing a smile on my face.

"I saw Ace leaving, we should follow him."