The Arrangement

Chapter4

The Arrangement Chapter 4

"So we have seen tons of reports saying that the famous pop singer Ashly Creten, and the very talented baseball player River Creed have been seen together on what seems like a date."

And change the channel.

I've been going through this system now for what seems like hours. It also seems like every talk show host in America has mine, and Rivers, names plastered on their lips.

I decide since I can't enjoy my own peace then neither can Gary so I walk across my yard and enter his. Thankfully I find Gary sitting on the porch so I can avoid the awkwardness of just walking into his home. I'll make it clear though that it's not awkward for me, only Gary. I mean he says he dosent enjoy my company but I'm pretty positive that he actually loves my company and that all of it is just one big act. I also like to think that my boring and grumpy neighbor is actually a secret agent spy, but that ones a little to far fetched. Or at least that's what Milly likes to tell me.

"Hey Gare bear!" I cheerfully greet.

"You know the more you come over, the more I consider moving."

"You don't mean that Gary. I just needed some company and you basically are my best friend." I say taking a seat beside Gary on his porch swing.

"What about that ditsy brunette that's always at your home?" Gary questions referring to my best friend Ava.

"Gary, I've told you tons of times, her name is Ava."

"Yeah yeah whatever! I have a feeling she's not going to be the only one coming over all the time. I turned on my tv this morning and all I saw was your face plastered on it. Which is very inconvenient considering I see it enough as is. Seriously though what's going on between you the baseball player?" Gary says obviously talking about the whole River situation. I'm so sick of talking about this specific topic, mainly because the topic involves River!

"Well if I told you I'd have to kill you." I say with a laugh, it held no humor at all though.

"Ashly you know I think of you as my daughter." He pauses for a minute before starting again. " I just want you to know that I want you to feel comfortable to tell me anything. Even if it involves a boy with a dumb name."

A big grin stretches across my face. "Okay... dad!"

"Okay I take that back." Gary says, but I can tell he's just joking.

"But I guess I will share. My boyfriends name is River, we've already discussed how retarded that is. He's a baseball player and a very good one at that. We met at a friends dinner party and we really hit it off from there." I say trying to hide the extremely huge lie that was just spilling out of my mouth.

"Oh, maybe I can watch one of his games you know that I'm a huge fan of baseball." Gary says and I know he's not lying because anytime I walk into his house that's what's on the tv screen. I think he may have even played baseball as a child.

"I think he would like that, and I know I would." I say smiling at Gary.

"Okay now get out of here it's about time for my afternoon nap." Gary says shooing me off his porch.

"Whatever you old geezer."
-
"Hello it's Ashly." I say greeting whoever is calling.

"It's me." A manly voice barks through the other end. A manly voice that can only belong to River.