Sustainable

Chapter Two

Mia

I was watching the man walk down the street and finally disappear round the corner, when I got a tap on the shoulder. "Uh, Earth to Mia?" Carmen, my best friend since middle school stared at me with heavily lashed green eyes. I shook the cloudy feeling away, not quite remembering what had happened. "I'm... I'm fine, Carmen. Just... fine." I blinked a few times, and took a deep breath.

"You sure?" Carmen but her lip uncertaintly; clearly worried. "You've gone all... misty eyed. Like a daydream, or something."

I flashed a full smile at her - my photoshoot smile. "I'm fine. Just a bit blown away by that guy. He was incredibly... charming."

All of a sudden, it was Carmen's turn to go misty eyed. "I know! That guy was seriously hot! All dark and handsome... And a seriously nice ass!" she gushed, and I was a little taken aback at her bluntness.

"Carmen!" I cried, feeling my face blush pink. "Well, he did." she smiled cheekily. "And I know you noticed too. You couldn't stop staring as he was leaving. I saw you."

My fave flushed a deeper red, abd I grinned; defeated. "Well yeah. But I don't think he was interested. Otherwise, he would have taken me up on my offer."

"He was staring at Ari an awful lot, though. Did you notice?" I glared at Carmen, and she quickly shut up - aware of her mistake.

"Don't even talk to me about her." I huffed, suddenly aware of the stares the two of them had shared. "Where is the waste of space, anyway?" I looked around nonchalantly, expecting Ari to slip out from around a corner. No sign of her.

"I didn't see. She probably went to the orphanage again." Carmen said lazily while inspecting her perfectly manicured fingers. "Hmm.." I mused, and shrugged it off.

"Oh well. If Mom asks, I'll just say she went for a walk." I began to walk back up the court steps, and Carmen began to follow. "The later she stays out, the less I have to see her anyway. She can take all the time she wants." I laughed as we ascended on the stairs and into the court, shutting out the cold.

"I can't believe he found your ring, though." Carmen said, changing the conversation. "Let's see."

I rummaged through my purse, and pulled out the small object from the side pocket. Opening my palm, I gasped, and Carmen's almond eyes widened in shock. "It's a stone... An ordinary stone!"