-Welcome to Reality-

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Focus

"What?"  Phoenix says suspiciouly, tilting her neck to the side.  

I blink hard and I shake my head, taken back by the sudden sound of her voice.  I had been staring longer then I thought.  "Uh nothing.....nothing."

"Well since we're friends again," she nudges me teasingly, "how about some dinner?  All that serious talk makes me hungry."  With that, she stands up and walks over to the counter, sliding her purse onto her shoulder.  "Shall we?"

I just sit here frozen on the coach, taken off-gaurd by what I'm suddenly feeling for Phoenix.  This shouldn't be happening.  "Uhhhh...."  Is all I can manage to say.  

"Peirce you okay?"  She says taking a few steps towards me.  Ahhhh please don't come any closer...

I rub the back of my neck as clear my throat, trying to look anywhere but at Phoenix.  "Yeah. Yeah I'm fine....I think."

"Well you probably just need some fresh air.  Come on."  She insists, taking my hand and pulling me off the couch and then down the hall towards the door. Her hands are--  Before I get carried away, I snap myself out of it and pull my hand away.  She turns around to face me, her eyebrows furrowed, confused at my sudden retreat.  "You sure your okay?"  She presses.

"Yeah, I'm sure.  I just....well...you know what, I actually can't do it tonight.  Can I take a raincheck?"

"Oh sure, but why?"  She asks suprised, considering normally I would be the one begging for her to come with me.

"Ya see I have to uh...get some things done before tomorrow like....you know......just stuff."  Way to go Pierce, you offically suck at excuses.  "Hope you don't mind."  I add, shifting my weight and lowering my eyes to the floor, feeling rather unconfortable under Phoenix's gaze.

"No it's fine, get all the stuff done."  She smirks. "There is always tomorrow night, right?"  God that smile....

"Right. Well, it was good seeing you."  I ramble like an idot, walking past her to the door where I unlatch the lock nervously.  "I'll see you later.  Enjoy your dinner and sleep good."  I say, stepping out the door, anxious to get away and collect my thoughts.

"Okay, I'll make sure to do that."  She chuckles.

 As I quickly walk down the porch, I realize that I'm probably making it very obvious that something is going on.  So as I step into my car, I glance at the Phoenix who is leaning in the doorway, her hands resting on her hips.  I try to think of something clever I could say to lighten the mood, but I can't seem to concentrate.  So I end up saying whatever comes to my mind first.

"Hey, I'm warning you in advance this time, if you show up at my house in the morning, I probably won't be dressed!"  I hollar before closing the door.  Phoenix laughs, yet I can tell there is still suspicion in her eyes.  I watch her wave goodbye and then she walks back into the house, closing the door behind her.

I take a deep breath as I start my engine.  One question echos over and over in my mind.

What just happened?

_____________________________________________________________________________

My mind was absent the whole drive home, I couldn't seem to think of anything else but Phoenix.  And stranger yet, I don't even know why.  Things are complicated enough just trying to get out of here, let alone falling in love with some one from a different world.  But is it really love?  Well whatever it is, it sure feels like it.

Instantly after I stepped through the my door, I collapsed on the coach, letting a huge breath of air rush out of my lungs.  I shut my eyes tight, closing out everything around me as I tried to escapse from these thoughts about Phoenix.  Why do I feel like this?  I've only known Phoenix for a few days, and neither of us even take eachother seriously.  Besides, I have Sadie waiting for me back home. She's been my girlfriends for years and I love her....right?  Nevertheless, the face flashing in my mind belonged to Phoenix, and a part of me didn't want to make it go away.

The more I thought about how crazy it was, the more it seemed to make sense, which only made me more confused.  This can't happen now.  I'm leaving soon and I can't afford to be distracted by a girl, no matter how amazing she is.  But at the same time, everything changed and I couldn't help it.  The way I looked at her, what I wanted to say to her, and how it felt when I touched her.  So different.

From the minute I set eyes on Phoenix I knew there was something about her, but I never thought it would amount to this.  Everything about Reality is backwards and conufsing, except Phoenix.  Shes....familiar and sweet and she has this thing about her that just makes me want to smile.  With her, I forget about the world I disappeared from, or the people I left behind.  I just think about her.  And honestly, a part of me thinks it's enough to stay.

I sit here eyes shut, my head leaning back onto the wall for what seems like hours.  I just keep seeing her face.  And each time the knot in my stomach gets tighter, yet I won't push the thoughts away.  I imagine her wonderful smile sitting across from me,  and I can almost hear her contageous laugh meet my ears.  

But before I get carried away, I feel my phone begin to vibrate in my left pocket.  As I reach for it, my eyes land on the caller ID, and everything begins to set it.  It's a text from Skylar.

Skylar:  I worked my magic :)  He's in.

Me:  Really?  Great.  What's next?

Skylay:  Already talked to Trevor and he said we'll pick you up tomorrow around 11:00 ok?

Me:  Sounds good.... Thank you Skylar.  This is amazing.

Skylar:  No problem :))  See you tomorrow!

Suddenly I am reminded that the only thing I should be focused on is getting out of here.  Forget about Phoenix.  Just get out.  I know I don't have time to make things complicated, let alone getting attached to anything from Reality.  It'd be like a homeless man wanting a Ferarri.  It just doesnt happen.  And ultimately it would only makes things harder.

I make a strict mental note to myself:

1.  Forget about Phoenix.

2.  Get the hell out of here.

3.  Keep forgetting about Phoenix.

Focus, Pierce.  Focus....