Found

Chapter 9-Soraya

Blake showed up at 9:00 straight, just as he said. He knocked like normal before coming in.

" Come on in, " I tell him, standing up.

He opens the door, but does not enter. He just stands there with the door open.

" Come on," he says. " Let's go for a walk. I don't want to be cooped up in here. "

" I don't think that's a good- "

" Come on, " he says again.

I hesitate. If I go out, how will I explain to him that I have to keep my head down? I know he will ask, but what can I say? However, I also really want to go, so after a moment of consideration I finally decide.

" Okay, " I say.

I walk past him and make my way down the stairs. Once at the bottom I hold the door open for him before stepping outside. We walk briskly out of the alley, where I immediately flip up my hood. I notice that Blake frowns, but he doesn't say anything.

We walk in silence for a few minutes before Blake speaks.

" So, what do you want to do first? "

" Do? " I ask, shocked. " I thought we were just going on a walk. "

" We are, but we are gonna be passing tons of shops. I figured we could stop by a few. "

" Oh, " I say. " Well, um... I really don't know. You choose. "

"Let's go to the candy store down the street. "

" Okay, " I say, trying to hold back a smile.

I was going to a candy store with a friend! Like normal kids. That's when I realize that I
called Blake a friend. Well, what else am I going to call him? He WAS a friend. He was nice to me, helped me out, and made me laugh. If that wasn't considered a friend, than I don't know what is.

When we reach the store I can see the people inside through the glass windows. They were making chocolate. Just watching them made my mouth water. Chocolate was NOT cheap. With the economy low, pay had gone down while the price of items had gone up. Now, it cost around 15 dollars just for a small chocolate candy bar.

As soon as we walked in I was hit by the wonderful smell. Candy lined the walls, pouring out of cases. A variety of colors lit up the store, ranging from bright yellow to deep red. I immediately went over to the fudge display. At least twenty kinds lay before me. Peanut butter, dark chocolate, cherry, and almond to name a few.

" Wow, " I say.

Blake smiles.

" Pick whatever you want. "

" Really? " I exclaim. Just a small piece of fudge was more than 20 dollars!

" Ya. Have you already forgotten? My family is rich. They could buy the entire store if they wanted to, " he laughs.

" Oh, right. "

My eyes scan the display, trying to decide what I wanted. After a moment or two I finally pointed to the Cherry Fudge. I LOVED cherries.

Blake got the attention of someone behind the counter and ordered mine, along with a dark chocolate one for him. They handed them to us in a bag and after paying we left the store.

" Hey, " I say. " Um, thanks. For everything. Not just the fudge. You've been really nice to me, and... well, I just wanted to say thank you. "

" No problem, " Blake replies, avoiding my gaze.

We continue walking and Blake hands me my fudge. When I bite into it I smile in pleasure. I haven't had chocolate in so long, I had almost forgotten what it tasted like. So delicious, so filling, so yummy!

Blake laughs.

" Your face, " he says. " Looks hilarious. "

I blush.

" I haven't had chocolate in forever! " I defend myself.

" Oh, " Blake responds. " Would you like some alone time? "

" Meany, " I say, punching his arm.

He smiles at me. A goofy boy smile. It is a smile that I hated when I first met him. Now, I thought it was kinda cute.

" Hey! " Someone yells to us.

I immediately freeze, tensing up. Blake, sensing my uneasiness, reassuringly rests his hand on my arm. I relax a little bit, surprised by his touch. It comforts me, letting me know that I don't have to be scared.

Three boys are walking towards us, friendly smiles on their faces. One is tall with handsome features, blue eyes and shaggy blonde hair. One is a little taller than me with short brown hair, brown eyes and big muscles, someone I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. The other is a skinny boy with short black hair and green green eyes, a little shorter than the first guy and a little taller than the other. I figure they must be Blake's friends, the ones that he told me about. If I remember right their names are Caleb, Daniel, and Michael, though I'm not sure who was who.

" Hey guys, " Blake says, smiling.

" Hey Blake, " the tall blonde says. He looks at me with a sly smile. " Who is this? "

" Guys, this is Soraya. Soraya these are my friends. "

He introduced the tall blonde as Caleb, the shorter muscular one as Daniel, and the other black haired guy as Michael.

" Hi, " I say, avoiding Caleb's gaze.

" Blake told us about you, " Caleb says. " But he never mentioned how pretty you were. "

I blush and glance at Blake who rolls his eyes. I am guessing that Caleb is the playboy in the group.

" Cut it out dork, " Daniel says.

" What did I say?!? " he exclaims.

" Anyway, " Blake intervenes. " We were just out walking. What have you guys been up to? "

" Well, we just got back from the game place down the street where I won like, every game. " Micael smirks.

" Did not! " Daniel says defiantly. " Remember? I won that hunting game. "

" You shot ME. That doesn't count. "

" Well, it doesn't say that in the rules. "

" Whatever, " Micael says, rolling his eyes.

While the guys catch up on the few hours that they had been apart since school the other day, I stand idly buy, shifting my feet uncomfortably. By the time I finish my fudge, their conversation was just winding down.

" Hey, how about we all go and grab something to eat together. It's only around 11:30 but I'm starving. " Daniel says.

Everyone else nods, everyone except Blake. He looks at me questioningly. I was surprised. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was asking if I wanted to go. From the way he was looking at me I could also tell that he wasn't pressuring me to go. It was my choice.

After a moment I nod. What could go wrong? It was just lunch. Besides, I wouldn't mind a free meal.