Raquel's Bodyguard

Chapter 4

The sun was high, the air was cold, and the street was full of cars; what else would you expect? Raquel stood at the corner, waiting for Johny to show up. She was dressed in her black trench coat and skinny jeans tucked into her high, black boots. Her eyes were hidden behind large sunglasses. Before leaving Becky insisted on spinning Raquel's long brown hair into a messy bun and Raquel had applied some lipstick to her pale lips.

Behind her stood Becky in her torn jeans, old sneakers, and too-big hoodie. She kept all her golden blonde hair back with a ponytail holder and a sweatband converted into a headband, it was one of her lazy days. "I have too look as unattractive as possible," she had explained as they had left Raquel's room, "that way the test will be even harder." Raquel didn't say anything- she learned not to a long time ago- but she did roll her eyes at Becky when she wasn't looking. In one hand, Becky had a notebook opened to a blank page with a pen stuck into it's spiral. In the other hand, she had her phone, keeping track of the time.  

At two minutes past two Raquel noticed a guy in a dark hoodie walking towards them with his head down. Raquel started to get worried, until she realised she knew who it was. "Johny," she called out, raising her hand to get his attention.  

Johny's head snapped up. He smiled when he saw Raquel and hurried over. "Hey Baby," he said with a wink.

Raquel laughed, instantly picking up on his joke. Becky, on the other hand, took a quick note in the notebook and then confronted Johny. "Excuse me, Raquel is not your baby."

"I was just practicing," Johny quickly defended himself, "you know in case I have to be her pretend boyfriend." Becky continued to look at him darkly, so he changed his explanation. "It was just a joke!"

"Calm down, Becky," Raquel said to her best friend. "He didn't mean anything by it."

Becky backed off, but she continued to glare at Johny and she didn't remove the note she had made. "You're late," she added, writing that down too.

"By two minutes," Johny exclaimed. "Gosh, I'm not a time wizard!" Johny turned to Raquel and asked, "Why is she here, I thought you only needed me when you are walking alone?"

Raquel opened her mouth to answer, but Becky, as usual, spoke up first. "This is a test walk, to make sure you can actually do this; I'm here as a supervisor, since I know I can't trust Raquel to point out any problems."

Raquel felt her face start to blush as Johny stood there amazed. "It was Becky's idea," she explained, making herself look more innocent.

Johny shrugged. "Alright," he complied coolly. "So where are we going?"

"The Fry's down the street," Raquel answered. They all waited quietly until the crossing symbol showed them that they could go, then Johny and Raquel started walking with Becky following a few feet behind.

They were quiet for most of the walk, only a couple of quick comments here and there. Twice they ran into guys that made Raquel's heartbeat race, but nothing bad happened and she was able to pass them. When they finally got to the store Raquel led Johny to the drinks, said, "Pick which one you want," and strolled into the snack aisle.

Becky followed her. "Want to hear how much I've got so far," she asked, holding forth her notebook with pride.

"Does it take up three pages," Raquel asked in response, moving over to the chocolates, not really paying her any attention.

"How did you know," Becky exclaimed.

Raquel looked back at her friend, smiling, keeping back her laughter. "Becky, Johny is our best choice," she reminded her friend. "I'm fine with him; he'll work. Stop being so nitpicky."

Becky rolled her eyes at Raquel. "Honey," she sighed, "you are far too relaxed."

The two laughed at each other. Becky put down her notebook and went to stand next to Raquel. As they checked out all of the choices for chocolate, Johny came down the aisle carrying a Monster in his hand. "You ready to go," he asked her.

"Be patient," Becky instructed him strictly turning to another page in her notebook and taking note. "Raquel will tell you when she is ready to go."

Johny put up his hands defencively. "Sorry," he sarcastically apologized, "I was just wondering."

"We can check out in a moment," Raquel told him gently, "I just figure out what candy I want."

Johny joined Raquel and Becky staring at the chocolates The three of them stood there quietly for awhile, pondering the many choices they had until Johny got an idea. "You like chocolate and caramel, right," he asked Raquel. Raquel nodded her head, her mouth watering at just the thought of the combination. "Why don't you just get some chocolate caramel cups," he suggested, pointing the bag of them out.

Raquel thought about it for a moment and then her face brightened up. "Sounds good to me," she said, reaching out for her choice. They went to one of the store's self check-outs and bought their snacks and started back to their meeting spot.

The walk back was even quieter  and more awkward than the one to the store. They didn't run into anyone else and no one really said anything. Johny had opened his Monster and started drinking it already. Halfway there Becky caught up with Raquel and Johny and pushed her way between them.

"Well, I think I've seen enough," she said seriously, scanning over her many pages of notes. "Shall I tell you my analysis?"

"Sure," Johny replied calmly.

He didn't see anything wrong with it, but Raquel was worried about what Becky might say. "Wait until we're finished," Raquel instructed her friend as an excuse.Sometimes Becky could be embarrassing and rude and she didn't want her to offend Johny.

"Just a few key points I need to hit," Becky insisted, turnng back pages to the beginning of the notes.

Raquel started to argue with her friend, but then Johny cut in. "Don't worry Raquel, I can handle it. Go ahead and hit me, Becky."

"Well for starters you need to show up on time," Becky began, crossing that point off her list. "Second, don't be so awkwardly quiet, make conversation with her. Be patient with her, she can be indecisive. Oh, and under no circumstances can you ever hit on her! That's what she is trying to avoid!"

"I wasn't hitting on her," Johny argued.

"Yes you were," Becky shot back, beginning to brandish her pen like a sword. "Don't you ever do it again."

"Who is the bodyguard here, me or you?"

"Will you two stop it," Raquel broke in. "Johny is doing me a very big favor here, and he isn't asking for much in return, let's just leave it at that."

Becky sighed and rolled her eyes. "I guess he will work," she gave in with  a pout. "I just want the best for you."

"Johny will work perfectly," Raquel reassured her friend sympathetically.

"Thanks for talking about me like I'm not here," Johny reminded them, raising his hand to wave t the two girls who had forgotten him.

Raquel started to blush again and Becky started to gare at him. "I'm sorry," Raquel apologized. "Did this work out okay with you?"

"Yeah," Johny replied cooly. "I'm fine with it as long as it isn't every day and ends up destroying my social life."

"I promise it won't," Raquel swore, sticking out her hand for him to shake. He took it and bounced Raquel up and down with his firm grip.

"I better get going," he said letting her go. "Just call me up when you need me. See you two around."

"Good bye, Johny," Raquel yelled over the on going traffic waving her hand in farewell as Johny walked away. He turned around, smiled, and waved back. Then Becky and Raquel went back to Raquel's place, eating caramel cups and talking about life. Raquel was glad she had gotten them.