Dreaming In Stereo

Part 12 ~ Dreaming In Stereo

The worst part, thought Chris as he pulled a black sweatshirt over his head, of having a best friend who was a girl was that everyone was constantly asking whether or not they were dating.

Sure, they hung out a lot. And told each other their secrets. But it doesn't mean they're dating. Or that they like each other.

It was quarter to nine in the morning. Chris decided to head off to the skate park and he texted Lara to come join him.

Be there at quarter past -She texted back shortly after Chris texted her. He grabbed a granola bar for breakfast, stuffed his phone and wallet in his pocket and retrieved the board from his backyard.

It was a crisp autumn day as Chris ollied down the front steps and turned onto the empty, winding road.

He quickly arrived at the skatepark where he found a spot to start attempting kickflips. It wasn't the most difficult trick but Chris wasn't exactly the best skater. At least, he didn't see himself as good.

He has just failed a kickflip and was chasing after his board when in skated a teenaged girl about his age. A quiksilver snapback tilted rebelliously over waves if blond hair, dip dyed a bold red. She was wearing a black cropped tank top and a brown belt hung from the waist of her ripped denim shorts.

Chris started skating in a small ramp, just going up and down. It was mostly empty and the girl joined him. He felt his heart beat against his chest.

When Chris got to her side, he was shaking so hard that instead of stopping at the top he skidded back down again when it was her turn and they collided and fell to the ground. Their boards clattered next to them. For a moment Chris held his breath and bit his lip. Would she yell at him now?

Instead, though, she held her head back and laughed into the air.

"Are you okay?" She smiled.

"Yeah," Chris replied. "Uh, are you?"

She nodded too. "What's your name?"

"Chris," replied Chris. He was going to ask for her name but that was when Lara burst in shouting "hey Chris!"

They both looked up and saw Lara running towards them. The girl took one glance at Lara and Chris and then nodded as if she understood something and stood up.

"I'll leave you guys to it then," She flashed one last smile before walking away.

"Who was that?" Lara asked in a hushed voice.

"Just this girl I bumped into," Chris replied. "Literally bumped into."

"You like her?" Asked Lara. The apples of Chris's cheeks turned bright red and he grinned cheekily.

"You do, don't you?" Lara asked.

"Wha-no!" Chris exclaimed. "I just think she's nice. As a person."

"You sure?" Lara asked, doubtful, and Chris responded with a flimsy yes. "Well, for what it's worth I think you should go and talk to her."

"You sure?" Chris asked.

"I think she likes you," Lara nudged Chris forward. "Go on."

Chris took a deep breath and stared walking towards the girl.

"So how'd it go with that girl?" asked Karl.

It was a crisp new Monday and Jakob was back to his daily routine of messy dark hair and crumpled polo shirts. Jakob shrugged in response and said, "Okay."