The Back Harlow Road • Stand By Me

Chapter Four "Old Friends"

That rest of my day was spent anxiously at Clair's house, with all the members this time. Clair, Stacey, Mary, Debbie and I all sat in the frilly pink room gossiping as usual. "I know right he's just adorable," Debbie exclaimed talking about some boy I do not care for.

"Guys I got to tell you something," I spoke up and all attention was toward me. "Well, Ray has been missing like all day," I said and they turned away like my problem wasn't worth their time.

"So anyway, Margo told me that Amy told her that he likes me so-"

"Girls!" I exclaimed upset "didn't you just here what I said."

Clair rolled her eyes "go ahead Debbie continue," she said looking back down to her nail file.

"Ok, so I went up to him this we-"

"Do any of you care that my brother is missing?" I asked in disbelief and Clair got red in the face.

"Maybe he left because you are so annoying. Debbie is trying to tell a story," Clair said rudely and all the girls giggled.

I got upset and angry. I silently left her house, warm, fat tears rolling down my face like a river.

I practically ran into town stomping around in complete anger now. I ran around people and even bumped into the shoulders of others.

I ran until I ran into someone "oof, I'm so sorry I just, I uhm," I scrambled to recollect myself.

"Don't worry about it, you can run into me anytime," he said with a wink. I looked at the boy in front of me and saw Teddy Duchamp, I giggled lightly.

"Constance Brower, but you can call me Connie" I said quietly, in almost a whisper.

"Teddy Duchamp, and you can call me anytime," I put my hand in his and he brought it up to his lips and kissed it lightly. I giggled again at his flirtatiousness and turned a light pink color.

"Come on Teddy what's taking you so lo-. Oh hi Connie," Vern said coming around the corner and I smiled. I knew Vern and he was what I would consider a friend, our parents were also friends so we were on good terms.

"Hi Vern!" I said giving him a small hug and Teddy looked out of words.

"You... Him... Huh?" Teddy asked and I giggled again.

"Yeah he's my boyfriend," I said and although I was joking I said it seriously. I turned around and winked at Vern to follow along with my joke and he was a bright red color.

"Oh really?" Teddy asked not convinced and I nodded putting my arm around Vern's shoulder. I couldn't stop it before it happened but I burst we out laughing when I saw Teddy's shocked face and so did Vern.

"Haha, I knew the whole time," Teddy said and Vern rolled his eyes.

"Yeah sure, you should have seen your face!" Vern exclaimed and started laughing again which resulted in Teddy moving his fist to Vern's face in a faux punch. Vern flinched and Teddy smirked "two for flinching," he said then punched Vern twice in the arm.

I rolled my eyes at their foolishness and started walking away "wait, Connie!" Vern exclaimed and I turned around "you should come hang out with us," Vern said and Teddy nodded "I mean if you want," he quickly said after.

I smiled and turned fully around swiftly "it would be an honor," I said walking between the two boys as we walked to wherever they may be going.

After a short walk I was brought to a large hill with a beautiful view of the small town below. I smiled at the painted sky and observed the scenery. They brought me over to a tree house and climbed up the ladder, Teddy first, in which he knocked a pattern on the wooden latch door. The door was opened and we all climbed in, I noticed Chris Chambers was also in the tree house, the only one before us. He smiled and I smiled back "Hi Connie," he smirked and I blushed.

"Hi Chris," I said sitting down and his smirk widened.

"You two know each other too!" Teddy exclaimed and I laughed along with Vern, Chris just looked confused. Teddy huffed and started shuffling cards "where's Gordo?" he asked as he started dealing cards. Chris and Vern shrugged but then a knock sounded on the door, the same rhythm Teddy knocked.

Gordie climbed up and gave me such a look of hatred I almost backed up. "What is she doing here," he asked rudely, reminding me of Clair. I tried to make myself smaller as I blocked out the rest of what the boys were saying. My feelings wouldn't get hurt that way.

Teddy continued dealing the cards "Connie do you want to play thirty-one?" he asked and I looked up from my lap confused.

"What's thirty one?" I asked and Gordie groaned and whispered under his breath "you've got to be kidding me."

I started getting upset and a frown appeared on my face "hey it's ok, I'll teach you," Chris said and I sat next to him.

"So the goal is to get as close as you can to thirty one cards in one suit. The highest you can get is thirty one and the person with the least amount or too much is eliminated each round,"  he explained and I nodded picking up the cards Teddy dealt out.

I had and ace and two ten cards, what? I got confused so I stared at them trying to think. Well 11+10 is 21 and 21+10 is 31 so thirty one. Wait thirty one! No way.

"I knock," Teddy said proudly and Chris shook his head "no way."

"Twenty nine," Teddy boasted proud with his card and the guys shook their heads.

"Twenty Two," Chris said putting his cards down on the table that sat on top of the latch.

"Sixteen," Vern whined and we all erupted into laughter.

"Thirty," Gordie said bragging and he thought he won. I smirked and put down my cards.

"Thirty one," I said quietly and everyone thought I was kidding.

"You liar."

"No way."

"Come on."

I showed my cards and they all stared in disbelief Gordie broke the silence "beginners luck," he scoffed sitting back and Teddy shook his head.

"This girl is something," he sat back and Chris nodded taking the cards from my hand just staring at them.

Ever since I started hanging out with these guys the loneliness I felt last night was gone. But why was I lonely? Could someone actually be lonely even when they are surrounded by people? Maybe I was just missing Ray.