Up With The Birds

Chapter 9

The next week and a half go by in blur. My lessons are challenging, but I'm getting by so far. For some reason, Chris has been gone ever since last weekend ended. I'm hoping he's just on vacation or something. Nobody else knows where he is. Not even Jonny, who I think knows Chris better than anyone.

"That bloke goes off on his own from time to time," Jonny tells me. "Not a word about where he goes, or when he'll come back. But he always shows up soon enough. S'long as he doesn't get himself killed, I don't mind."

Guy and Will seem to be just as calm about it as Jonny. I wish I was that relaxed. Every time I think about where he could be, I get anxious and my stomach fills with butterflies. What if he's hurt? Or in danger? Just thinking about if he's simply lonely pains me.

Wake up. Go to school. Worry. Sleep restlessly. That's how the next few nights go.

Lately, I've been pondering how I feel about Chris. He's just so charming and outgoing, and when I'm around him I don't feel as stressed and flustered as usual. Not to mention the fact that he's so handsome. His golden curls look like they were sculpted. And his eyes are just stunning. I love to see his emotions reflecting in them.

But for some reason, I'm loathe to admit if I really like him as more than a friend or not. I mean, I think I do, but how can I be sure? It's times like these that I wish I had some good girlfriends. Instead, I have a bunch of dorky boys. Maybe their the ones I really need to talk to about this. They know how guys work, and the wouldn't really have the bias that girls have. Plus, I don't have to worry about them saying, "Oh, Chris is such a cutie! Go for it!" Because that's not the sort of talk I need right now. 

I decide to call Jonny and see if he can come meet me somewhere. Thankfully, he can. I wait for him on the swing sets at the park. I smile and wave him over as soon as I see him. Jon grins and jogs over. 

"Lana! What's happening?" he asks cheerfully.

"It's about Chris," I say, hoping that maybe Jonny can give me some insight.

"You've got to stop worrying about him, love!" he sighs. "I'm telling you, this  isn't that unusual. He'll be back before you know it."

"No, that's not what I mean." I take a deep breath. "Jonny, I think I may really feel something for Chris. Like, more than just a friendly feeling. I don't know, I've just thought about it a lot since he's been gone... I feel so lonely."

A smile breaks on Jon's face.

"Christ!" he explains. "I'm so glad you've said that! Chris is absolutely mad about you. Do you know the last time we had a one on one conversation without him mentioning you? Ages, Lana."

I can feel myself blushing. I can't believe that Chris talks to Jonny about me. But what a relief! I'm so surprised that he's interested in me. 

"Really? What does he say?" I'm practically begging for him to tell me more. 

"How you've got deep thoughts, and your sense of humor is impeccable, along with your great looks. Oh, and he loves your American accent."

That get's a giggle out of me. 

"Oh, do go on!" I say with an English accent. "Would he be repulsed by that?"

Jonny laughs. 

"Of course not. That was so horrendous that it sounded just like your regular voice. I don't think you're certified to be British yet. Oh, and you've gotten him obsessed with coffee," Jonny groans. "I hate coffee.

"That's wonderful for me, but it's too bad for you." I joke. "I bet I could convince him to take me out for coffee every day. And you're sure he was talking about me and not some other girl?" I ask seriously.

"Lana, I'm positive. Do you know any other girls with an American accent and a horrible taste for coffee?"

"No, I guess not. I suppose he is talking about me."

That's when I see Chris walking by next to the punk-rock girl with short blonde hair.