Never As It Seems

Chapter 6

There was something about sitting in a car next to someone. There was no problem when they were talking at the table on the bus or walking around the arena. Now in this confined space and even though he wasn't looking at her, Amber felt scarily close to Jay. There was a nervous knot in her stomach and this time it wasn't from fear of not knowing him. The journey passed relatively silently apart from Amber giving directions now and then. Somehow this created even more tension. Finally Jay broke the silence with a low chuckle.

Amber looked across at him. "What's funny?"

"Nothing." He said continuing to face forward. She watched him as his smile grew bigger and he let out another laugh and shook his head. Amber just stared until he felt the weight of it and shot her a glance. She raised her eyebrows in question.

"I was just thinking about you cleaning the rubbish just now." He grinned again.

"Why is that funny? Go left up here."

He flicked the indicator down and slowed the car ready to turn. "I don't know. I guess it was just unexpected... and pointless." He added.

"Why pointless? I got a load done."

"Yeah but there was so much more! The cleaners get paid to do it. You really shouldn't have been doing their work."

Amber frowned. "Go up that lane there and we'll hit the car park." She instructed. "Well the cleaners can get home early. I bet they have families and stuff they'd want to get back to. It gave me something to do and helped someone out in the process."

Jay pulled the car to a stop in the pitch black car park. As he switched off the car they were plunged into the darkness. He turned to her and studied her shadowy face for a second. "I just think it's weird. But it's cute. You're cute."

Amber didn't know how to respond and the silence she left grew too awkward. She broke it by getting out of the car. It was really dark! Amber hadn't thought about it and had guided them to the car park that would usually be used in the day. There was one right by the lake shore, which she now realised would have been much easier. This way they would have to take a short path through the woods. She decided to tell Jay to get back in the car so they could move the car but she couldn't see him. She turned in a circle waiting for her eyes to grow accustomed to the inky blackness or for him to say something, whichever came first. She let out a squeak and froze as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Jumpy" Jay's voice reached her ear from somewhere very close.

"I'm not!" she argued. "It's just a bit dark."

"Come on." He took her hand and she pulled it away.

"There's a better car park closer to the lake. We shouldn't have come to this one. It's too dark to walk from here. "

"We'll be fine. Which way?" Amber could see his silhouette now and she hesitated before starting the short walk. Finally she turned and headed toward the path that led into the wood. It would be even darker in there! She stumbled over her feet and let out an exasperated huff. From close behind her she felt Jay's hand steady her by grabbing her elbow.

"You sure you don't want to hold my hand?" He asked, sounding amused.

"No. I'm fine." She snapped in embarrassment. Jay didn't respond. He just continued to follow her closely. Not five seconds later, Amber's foot came into contact with a tree root. She plunged forward throwing out her arms. With a cry she hit the leaf covered ground.

"Amber? Are you okay?"

Feeling humiliation rise inside her she tried to get up but as soon as she put weight on her left leg, she cried out and stumbled forward. Jay held out his arms to steady her.