Love at War

Chapter Five

"That's not true. I was one of the best linebackers in the school. All the girls were crushing on me,” Adrien said and kicked a pebble out of his path.

“Yeah, sure. It was like the entire cheer squad,” Keisha laughed. “Amy was obsessed with you. She hated that we were so close.”

“Yeah I remember. Everyone thought we were even dating at some point,” he chuckled.

The sky was a clear summer blue even though it was cold. For some reason, the snow had began to fade. They both thought it to be a bit too early. Global warming perhaps.

Today, they'd decided to have lunch at a popular diner somewhere downtown. Keisha had suggested they went there since they made the best burgers and pizzas.

Now seated in the cozy diner, they'd placed their order and relaxed.

Keisha missed coming here.

“How'd you even find this place? It's quite far from home,” he said.

“Yeah. It is. This was a place I used to work in back when I was home from college. I did it just to get a little money for my back to school runs,” she replied.

“Oh really? Are there any old faces that you recognize?”

She shrugged. “Not that I care anyways. A lot of people who used to work here weren't so friendly so I didn't care to make friends here. It was an in and out kinda job.”

Their waiter returned and placed their orders down. A grilled burger and bacon cheese with a side of omelette and a drink.

While they silently had lunch, Keisha watched an old couple seated a couple tables away. The old man grabbed a napkin and wiped his wife's lips subtly.

That was what she wanted. To grow old with someone.

Adrien followed her eyes. “Isn't that Mr and Mrs.Blakely? From highschool?”

Keisha frowned. “Mr.Blakely, the school principal?”

Her eyes widened in recognition. “Oh my goodness. It's been so long I've seen them around,” she gushed.

“Do you want to say hi?” He asked. Keisha smiled and got up.

"Sure."

When they got to their table and introduced themselves, both couple stared at them in a rather confused manner.

“Adrien Pierce, captain of the football team and linebacker,” he said again and Mr.Blakely instantly wore a smile.

“I remember you! Good heavens,” he exclaimed and rose to his feet.

Keisha wanted to laugh. Of course they remembered him. He'd been the golden boy back then while she'd just been the average student.

She held her smile nevertheless.

“It's so lovely to see you,” he said and pulled away from the hug. His eyes locked with Keisha. “Is this your wife?”

Her cheeks flushed red. “No, I'm Keisha Parks, straight A student? Captain of the mathletes.”

Keisha could tell he couldn't quite remember her, even as he went in for a handshake.

“It's a pleasure seeing you two again. It's been so many years. Please, let me introduce you to my wife-”

“Mrs.Blakely, it's a pleasure meeting you,” Adrien said and shook her hand. Keisha did the same thing.

“It really is a pleasure. I can't remember the last time I saw anyone in your year in town. They all left,” he laughed.

“I got deployed from the military due to slight medical reasons but I'll be headed back in a couple of months,” he said.

“Oh that's wonderful. I always knew you'd make our school and country proud one day, I saw it in you.”

“You know,” Mrs.Blakely cut in. “Why don't you and Keisha come over for dinner. It would be nice to catch up before you left.”

Adrien didn't wait to get Keisha’s take on it. He sounded a bit enthusiastic even.

“Alright then. We'll see you at the old house tonight by seven,” Mr.Blakely beamed and scribbled their address on a napkin.

When they'd finally walked out of the diner, twenty minutes later, Keisha stared blankly at him. “Why the look?”

“You seem too happy to see principal Blakely again,” she commented as they walked down to the bus stop.

“Why not? You know Mr.Blakely and I were pretty cool back then. He helped me get some football scouts to come to  watch some of our games,” he explained. “He was a good friend.”

Keisha rolled her eyes playfully. “If you say so.”

Later that evening, about half an hour left to dinner at the Blakely family house, Keisha and Adrien were all dressed up nicely. Keisha had thrown on a simple black dress that stopped just above her knee while Adrien had on a plaid shirt and a pair of pants.

“Well you two look lovely,” Diane commented as they went down the stairs.

Keisha grabbed a coat for herself and handed another to Adrien. “I'll drive,” he said and took the car keys.

Along the way, they'd stopped to pick up a few gifts which Keisha thought was a little bit unnecessary.

Finally at their place after nearly twenty minutes, Keisha ran a hand through her hair and smoothened her dress.

“Did I mention how beautiful you look?”

Keisha fought back a small blush. “Thank you. You look good too. Maybe a little good.”

She caught the redness on his cheek and laughed. “Come on.”

Even from the door, Keisha could smell something nice coming from the kitchen. She sniffed a little harder. Bacon? Chicken? She couldn't tell.

“You’re sniffing a bit too hard. You'll scare them,” he teased.

The door swung open and Mrs.Blakely welcomed them in.

“You both look lovely. Reminds me of my husband and I on our first date,” she laughed.

Adrien mirrored her smile and followed her into the kitchen. He looked around. He couldn't remember their house being this big.

“We paid contractors to remodel the house for us since we were starting to get tired of the old decor,” she stated when she caught Adrien staring.

Now seated, they waited on Mr.Blakely who joined them several moments later but he wasn't coming alone. In fact he was coming with someone who had managed to ruin Keisha's highschool year.

Renee Blakely, otherwise known as Adrien's ex-girlfriend.

Keisha could still remember everything vividly. They'd been the power couple of their year.

The moment her eyes fell on Adrien, she smiled broadly. “What a surprise,” she stated and went to engulf Adrien in a hug.

Dressed in a simple red dress which seemed to hug her just perfectly around the waist and slightly broadened hips, there was no denying she looked absolutely stunning.

“It's nice to meet you again,” he said and returned her hug for a brief moment. Her eyes shifted to Keisha.

“I don't believe my eyes. Isn't this Keisha Parks from highschool?” She asked, a slight British accent dripping out of every word.

“Hello Renee.”

Adrien stared between both ladies. He hadn't expected Renee to be here. Maybe accepting the invite to dinner wasn't such a good idea, especially not with what had happened between he and Renee a couple months ago on one of his deployments to London.

His heart sank.

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