When It Happens

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

                  She had to stop him right there. Don’t get attached, don’t get attached. That’s what they always said.

She turned to him and put a hand up in the air, silencing him. She took a deep breath and with the strongest voice she could muster, said, “I’m sick.”

There. The blunder was out. She hadn’t had to say those two words in a long time; it seemed that everyone who was ever around her knew. But considering that Cory hadn’t even known she went to the same school as he did, she shouldn’t have expected that he knew about her well-being. Or, more importantly, her lack of it.

His brow furrowed, but it was a passive expression, not the usual dawning that people got, “Uh, yeah, I saw you coughing in church, which, normally, would be total turn-off, but you know, I’ll let it slide, since you’re cute—“

She stopped him right there, not because he called her cute (though her now-flaming cheeks begged to disagree) but because he just didn’t get it, “No, no, not like the flu or anything,” She wished it was as simple as that, “I mean like, sick. Like, I’m dying.”

It finally registered on his face, “Oh,” a few awkward seconds passed, and she shut her eyes. She hated this part. The part where whoever wanted to befriend her would look at her like her disease was immediately contagious, even before she told them exactly what her sickness was. Then came the awkward stuttering and excuses to be as far away from her as possible. She was used to this. She should be, by now. So she waited, and waited, but no response came from him. Maybe he didn’t bother saying goodbye and just left? Well, that would be new.

“Open your eyes, Lylah,” came his voice. He was still here?

“Nope. You can just go,” she didn’t want to see the disgusted look on his face. She brought her hands to cover her eyes for emphasis.

She heard him sigh, “C’mon, just—” she felt warm fingers grasp her own, slowly, carefully, prying them away from her face. She stared at him, very much aware of their intertwined fingers.

“See? I’m still here,” he smiled sweetly; a sincere smile, not the usual smirk, but all she could do was stare at him. This was very unusual for her. It would have made more sense if he had run around, screaming “FREAK!” at the top of his lungs.

“Y-You’re not afraid? Or disgusted?”

He chuckled, a light, adorable chuckle, “Why would I be?” He saw her face; she must’ve looked scared and intimidated, and backtracked, “I mean, I don’t want to downplay your illness, but you’re still alive, aren’t you?” he grinned and slung an arm around her, stirring her towards the pizza place. She resisted the urge to push him away; okay, fine, there was no urge to push him away. The butterflies were evident. Why were they there? They should not be.

“I’m paying,” she declared. She was not that type of girl; she didn’t like the whole helpless act.

He gave a big laugh, charming, really, but shook his head, “No way, Lylah. I’m paying. We’re on a date, remember?"

“We are?” she had never been on a date. There was one time, but she didn’t consider that a legitimate date, considering what happened. She didn’t want to think of that night right now.

“’Course we are!” they entered the pizza shop, and his voice was drowned out by the chatter and the noise in the shop. It was a small shop, but it was a busy Sunday.  The shop had booths set to the side of the restaurant, with the register right across the door. Tables were scattered all around the cream-colored place.

Cory and Lylah walked to the counter, where a stout, smiling man was working.

“Hey Tom,” Lylah greeted with a smile, and she proceeded to flip through the menu. She couldn’t help but notice Tom eye Cory up and down, and she smiled to herself. Tom was like that old uncle who cracked bad jokes during reunions, and she liked to tease him because of it.

“Now, who may this young man be?” Tom tried to sound intimidating, but with his 5’4 frame and apron that said, We Make People Smile! ; He wasn’t doing a very good job.

She took a break from looking at the menu to glance at Cory. He had a blank expression on his face, though she could detect a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“I’m Cory, Lylah’s boyfriend,” he extended his hand, and Tom choked on his own breath.

Her eyes widened, and she slapped his extended hand, causing it to fall back to his side. “He is not my boyfriend!” she exclaimed. She sounded frantic now; but what else was she supposed to do? “He—He’s just a guy who tagged along,” she took a few breaths, calming herself.

Tom didn’t look so convinced, but he just nodded and took their order. She ordered a slice of four-cheese pizza, and he ordered a slice of pepperoni.

“I’m paying,” she decided, and took out her wallet.

Cory frowned at that, “No, you’re not. I thought we had figured this out. Date, remember?” he took out his own wallet. Oh, it was on.

She turned to Tom, “I swear, Tom, if you’re not going to let me pay, I’m selling your Harry Potter wand,” she threatened, and Tom’s eyes flashed with fear. Ha. She so got him.

“I’ll get you the real wand,” Cory bantered, smirking at her, and holding his money out to Tom. She saw Tom’s eyes gleam with the typical fanboy hunger, and before she could raise her bribe, Tom grabbed the money from Cory.

“Sorry doll, but the boy’s got some sweet deals,” he counted the money and gave Cory his change, “The food will be served to your table shortly,” they turned to find a table, but not before she saw Tom wink at her and mouth, “Boyfriend.”

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A/N : This is longer than usual so be proud of me haha. So the secret is out! Not really, but a part of it is! I know the story is going really slow, but we never know! It could abruptly! Like a death? Or maybe not? I'm not telling! Anyway, don't forget to VOTE AND COMMENT. 5 votes, a couple of comments and I'll post Chapter Five! It'll be longer, too! There's a bribe of my own. Thank you for reading! Have a nice day!