Memories Togther

Chapter Two

Seven Years Earlier

"Janice I'm so glad that you and Eric finally got together!" Mary shouted across the school cafeteria. I made a mental note to flip her when she came closer. It's not like the whole school needed to know that Eric had kissed me in the parking lot this morning asking me to be his girlfriend.

I blushed unknowingly and Rupert and Karla grinned from behind me in the lunch line. I rushed to our table and sat down just as Eric walked through the door. My eyes couldn't leave him, especially his lips, they had felt so good and right against my own. I can't believe we are now a couple my two year crush was finally mine!

"Hey Eric, wanna grab some dinner Friday night?" Jane, the greatest nemesis of my life, and my former middle school best friend, asked as she slung an arm over Eric's shoulder.

  I all most stood up to go yell at her but Eric looked over at me and smiled, "I have a girlfriend Jane, and if you don't want people to think you make guys cheat on their girlfriends then you better remove your arm right now."

  Jane stuttered, amazed that someone had resisted her charms for once, but her arm still remained on his shoulder. Eric grabbed her hand and raised it high, "Guys and Girls I would like to say this girl Jane Wohler tried to make me cheat on my new girlfriend Janice James!" His voice was loud and authoritative and it only helped that he was quite popular in school.

Whispers erupted amongst the students as Eric flung her hand to the side, then he swaggered over to me and did the most unexpected thing, he kissed me, right there in the cafeteria with the hundreds of students watching.

When he pulled away I was blushing furiously and he smiled, "Did you get me some lunch?" I instantly jumped up.

"Wait here I'll grab you some," he grabbed my hand and smiled.

"No need I'll go get some," he stood to do just that but I grabbed his hand needing to thank him some how.

"Come on Eric. Let me get it, it's the least I can do for what you just did," I pouted up at him, he smiled his bright green eyes lighting up.

I hurried over to the line and I made my way quickly, trying to ignore the whispers that were circling around, as I was trying to pick between an apple juice box or orange juice I bounced on my feet, when I heard a girl a little bit toward the front of the line speak.

"Why would someone so handsome and popular like Eric Conrad be with someone so annoying as Janice James? I mean look at the way she is bouncing on her feet she looks like an annoying two year old." My heart clenched at the jealous girl's words, I glanced over at her. I didn't even know who she was and yet she was criticizing me.

Was I really annoying? Did Eric think I was? I quickly grabbed OJ and walked back over to Eric, but he wasn't there. My plate was empty and he was gone. What the mess? I surveyed the room but he was no where to be seen.

I pulled out my phone thinking he would have texted me, but no notification from him or otherwise showed up. Was I really that annoying that he ditched me? Tears welled up in my eyes, would he really do this to me? No, Eric must have had a reason to leave he'll contact me later.

And yet he never did, and on the first day of our relationship we started drifting apart.

***

Present

"Janice you okay?" I jolted from my memories as Trey whispered his concern to me.

"Oh, um, yeah I'm fine," as the words left my mouth I glanced over at Eric, I nearly swallowed my tongue when I caught him staring at me. He gaze was cold and unfriendly, almost lifeless. Where had the old Eric went?

"You don't sound to fine," Trey persisted, but whe I didn't answer and instead ripped my gaze from Eric's to my fingers he said, "Well anyway it's your checkout time," surprised I glanced at the clock. Sure enough it was eight o'clock and pitch black out side.

I sighed, "What if I stay to help you?" I looked over at Trey and he frowned.

"Janice you work from five to eight, I only work from three to nine, go home and get some rest, plus these guys are already about to leave," Trey stressed about me working so much and tried doing everything he could to make sure I went home right at eight o'clock.

"Fine," I walked back into the kitchen aware of eyes on my back I told George I was out. I quickly changed from my work clothes then grabbing my purse and the leftover dinner, I made my way out to the dinning area.

Approaching the table I caught Mary's drunk gaze and smiled, "Hey it's my clock out time see you tomorrow like we planned?" Mary groaned then stood from her chair.

"Can't you stay?" Her lip curled into a pout and she tried a puppy dog look that almost made me laugh.

"No I have to wake up early in the morning so I have to leave now," I excused, I received a chorus of groans and 'No's' from my friend clique and I smiled.

"Fine but promise tomorrow you will drink with me?" Mary yet again tried the face and I nodded earning a cheering giggle from her.

"Well I guys it's for now guys," I called as I pushed open the door, catching Eric's gaze, as the door swung shut I let the door to my memories close as well.