why not?

chapter 23: carry on

(Lila is pronounced:  Lie-luh)

chapter 23: carry on

I'm back at school. My brilliant winter break has come to an end.  Alex waits for me in front of my locker. I haven't seen any of my friends but him today.

"Hello Alex" I smile. I rack my brains to try to remember my combination. How the hell do I forget?! I spin it around, hoping that the right number will pop up in my head.

"Hey Lila" He flashes me a toothy grin. Oh god, please dont' tell me he's trying to woo me.

"Not a chance Alex" I sigh, "I'm still with Tristain" It seems I've caught his act dead on because his face falls and he pouts.

"We're still friends, so don't worry!" I assure him. He still looks put off.

"Is he still at your house?"

"No, he's gone back to England. Him and his two other mates bought this French company and they're going around to the smaller branches and introducing the new ideas" I explain. Alex nods like he understands and then i FINALLY get my lock open.

"So he's like...a rich businessman now? Dating older guys?" Alex sounds very upset.

"Older guys?"

Oh no. Not....oh not him.

"Hello Lance" He smiles wide, tossing his slightly longish brown hair across his face.

"Love it when you say my name" He says.

I say it with a long ah sound. British accents impress Americans a lot. I smile kindly towards the both of them and proceed to class.

The day is unbearably long. I can't stand it and when I finally go home, there's no Tristain to cheer me up. I give him a call.

"Hello?"

"Hello Tristain" I say shyly.

"Lila! How are you?"

"I miss you terribly"

"I do too. I'm in a cab to on of the branches in Manchester. I hate all this traveling. I'd rather have you here with me then without"

"I wish that too. When will you be done with all of it?"

"About two months"

"That means you'll be done two months sooner than I. Will you come back then?"

"As soon as I can" Tristain promises. He doesn't break promises and I'm so happy.

"Excellent. Met any pretty ladies?" 

"Only you, darling" He laughs, "You'll messed with my eyesight. No one looks pretty but you, and you're beautiful"

"Haha, that is my plan all along!"

"Met any new guys?"

"Nope. Alex has given up I believe and there's this bloke, Lance, whom I had forgotten about but he's a player, you know what that is?"

"Yeah yeah. Continue. Has he....made a move?"

"Just trying to sweet talk me with things like 'I like the way you say my name' and all. Not serious, I beileve"

"Good. What are you wearing now?"

"The most absolutely darling ensamble of clothing you could possibly imagine. You?"

"Shirt, trousers, boxers, socks and shoes"

"I hate the colour of your trousers. So horrid" I tease. 

"Well that pair of panties you have on! Don't even get me started!" Ah, clever. Of all that I'm wearing, I'd definitely have panties.

"Are you having dirty thoughts about my panties? Do you want to talk them off?" My body is attacked by silent laughter, such is how I laugh. I hear Tristain's mouth try to form words but there is none. Oh ho! I have bested him.

"They're the same colour as my bra, red lace actually" I continue, trying my best to keep my voice straight, even though I feel like bursting into giggles. Tristain swallows audibly.

"Remember when you said my breasts felt bigger than they looked? I think they are. They've gotten fleshier indeed"

"Oh my god, shut up Lila!" He breathes. And then I laugh for about two minutes straight.

"Honestly, Lila. Shall I speak dirty about myself?"

I panic. Oh hell no. That's be so embarrassing and....oh god.

"NONONONONONONO!" I yell into the phone speaker.

"My willy is so big right now just thinking about y---"

"SHuT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!" I roar. I hang up on him, accidentally, in panic. Oh shit.  I try calling him back, but he doesn't pick up. Oops. 

Then the phone rings and I jump.

"I'm so sorry Tristain, that was unacceptable, I shouldn't have spoken dirty and teased you like that! My panties aren't red lace, they're some cartoon character printed on cotton, honestly!"

"Uh Lila? This is Alex"

F*cking hell. 

"Emm........hello Alex" I answer feebly. Oh sweet mother of all that's holy....

"The line had been busy for the past few minutes and I've been trying to call"

"Sorry sorry sorry!"

"Nah, it's alright. Me and Ryan are having a sleepover and Mandy is too. She wants you to come over"

"PLLEEASE LILA! SAVE ME! My mom said I needed to get out more, and this is where I come to!?"

I laugh. Poor Mandy. "Okay Mandy, I'll come. Is it at your house, Alex?"

"Yeah, you know where it is, right?"

"I still have the address from when we worked on that science project a while ago. I'll come over when?"

"As soon as possible"

I write a note for mum and put it under her's on the fridge explaining my absense. And then I go.