Flames

CHAPTER FIVE

*CHAPTER FIVE*

I turn to Ty, expecting some kind of answer.  "Ty?  Why does she seem confused?  According to her texts and what you told me... now I'm confused," I say to him.  Hanna shakes her head again.  "I never texted you, Darling.  I have no idea what you're talking about."

I show her the messages.  "Uh, that's not my number," she says.  I text the number back, not telling them I'm doing it.

Me: who is this?  I know it's not  Hanna.

Ty's phone goes off and he's really concentrated on it.  "Um, hello, bro.  Do you have somewhere else you'd like to be?" Hanna asks him.  "err, no. Sorry," he says.  I decide to call the number.  Low and behold, Ty's phone rings.  What the hell...?  "You lied to me.  Why?" I ask him.

His face grows red.  He tries to cover it up by turning away, looking at his phone and anywhere else but me.  "Tyler, answer me," I demand.  "It's 'Ty' to you," he fires back.  "Tyler, I think you owe me an explanation.  Don't change the subject.  Why the hell did you do this?"

"Oh, Darling.  He likes you.  Awwwwee, my little bro has a crush," Hanna teases.  "Uh, no, I don't.  I don't like her.  I don't even know her and she's not even my type.  I was just bored," he tries to defend himself.

"I don't need this, I'm going home.  Later, Hanna," I say.  "Bye," she answers back.

I push through the exit door and start walking.  I don't even know where to go, but I don't want to go back.  I'm embarrassed, although I don't know why.  Maybe it's because I was rejected.  I don't even like him like that but the fact that I was still rejected...

"Andy?" I say into the phone.  "Look, when you get this message and when you're done messing around with that random chick, can you come get me?  I don't know where I am... I got into a situation.  Don't worry, I'm fine.  Not that you're doing any worrying about me right now anyways... call me back."

***

I don't know how long I've been walking.  I'm not paying attention, but I do know that it hasn't been more than twenty minutes.  A guy on a motorcycle slows down beside me, and yells to me.  I can't here him over the motorcycle.  I pretend not to hear him, to spare any more embarrassment.

Of course, he just has to pull up next to the sidewalk and turn off his bike.   He takes off his helmet and swishes his head to get the hair out of his face.  "You lost, Sunshine?" he asks.  He's smiling - a genuine smile, it seems.  It's a really cute smile.  His eyes are a sparkling chocolate brown color.  His hair is styled short, but long enough.  It's brown and swoopy.

"You okay there?" he asks, snapping me out of my daze.  "Yeah," I respond a little to loud and quick.  I mentally face palm myself.  "Are you lost?  You seem a little lost," he says.  Should I tell him I am???   "Uh, I'm new to the area.  I'm trying to get to my cousin's house."

"You want a ride?" he asks.  "Um, that's okay.  I'll find my way.  I don't really know you anyways," I hesitate.

"I'm Oliver, Oli for short.  I'm 22, going to college to be a musician, I have my own apartment, no pets, no girlfriend, not much friends either.  Never really been one to get into trouble, or one to get caught, really.  So, uh, yeah.  Now you sort of know me," he says, his eyes seeming hopeful. 

I don't say anything.  "Look, Darling, I don't want you to be out here alone, especially since you're new to the area.  I promise I'm a good guy.  I don't mind taking you home.  I'm not some kind of creep that preys on young girls.  I can tell you're not that old," he says.

"I'm nineteen," I tell him.  "Well, I still don't mind taking you home, Hon.  Really, it's not an issue.   You don't have to if you don't want to.  I just thought I'd try and be nice.  I'll go if you want, just let me know what you wanna do."

Without answering, I walk over to him, grab the extra  helmet, put it on, and hop onto the bike.  I lean into him and whisper, "I don't wanna go home yet."  He nods, starts the engine, and we speed off down the street.

The bike is loud, roaring in my ears.  The wind feels amazing blowing through my hair.  I've never ridden on a motorcycle, so I'm a little nervous.  I tighten my grip around his abs.  I hear him laugh a little.

"You alright back there, Baby Doll?" he asks me.  I nod, then realize he can't see me.  I instantly feel dumb.  Instead of answering his question, I ask him one: "Where are we going?"  "You'll see," is his response.

***

About ten minutes later, we are parked in an empty, yet gorgeous, grassy field.  There's a lake near the bottom of the hill.  The water is sparkling and ripples as the wind blows.

It's starting to get later, so the sun is going down.

"This is my secret place.  I come here to calm down or just to chill if I've had a bad day," Oli says.  "It's beautiful," I say in awe.  Out of nowhere, he opens a bottle of beer and starts to drink it.  "You want some, Sweetheart?" he asks.  Considering the day I've had, I think I deserve to relax.  I take the bottle from him and take a big gulp, not holding back.

"Wow, you seem to have had practice," he says to me.  "No, actually, I've never drank alcohol, as hard as it is to believe.  But with the day I've had... I just need to relax."

"Well... I have something else that I use to relax, if you know what I mean..."  "Pot?" I ask him.  "Yeah, you want some of that too?" he offers.  "Not this time," I tell him.  "Oh, so there's gonna be another time?" he asks.  "I didn't say that."

***

I'm a little buzzed and I'm not sure I like this feeling.  I'm calm like I wanted, but almost too calm.

"You know, I never got your name," Oli says as we're walking back towards his bike.

"No, you didn't," I respond.

He takes the hint and hops onto the bike.  I follow.  "Where to, Darling?" he asks.  "Uh, 1042 Sweetgrass Rd."

***

When we arrive to Andy's house, he walks me up to the door.  "Well, thanks for the ride."  "No problem," he answers.  "I had a good time.  Thank you.  You made my night better after a horrible day."  "Glad I could make it better."

I stick my hand out for him to shake, as another way of saying thanks.  He grabs it, but instead of shaking it, he uses it to pull me toward him.  I'm a little stunned, but stare at him as he stares at me.  He leans down and presses his lips to mine.

The kiss is sweet.  Not too aggressive, or too soft.  There are no sparks or fireworks, but that's only in movies.  He pulls away and stares at me.  I kiss him back, this time with a little more force.  This one lasts longer.

I finally pull away, and let go of his hand.  "So, do I get to know the name of the girl who's a really good kisser?" he asks, his face holding a smirk.  "I don't think so.  I like mystery."

His face falls.  "Well give me something.  I wanna see you again.  You're definitely making me work for it here."  "I am, aren't I?  Okay.  Here.  Tomorrow.  3pm."

He nods.  "What about a phone number too?" "Maybe tomorrow.  Goodnight, Oli."  I turn around to walk inside, but he grabs my waist and pulls me into him.  He kisses me once more, holding my face, as if he's afraid I'll leave.  "Goodnight, Mystery Girl.  I'll see you here, tomorrow, at 3."  He winks at me and goes to his bike.  I watch as he leaves.

I go inside and up to my room.  I take out my phone and check for notifications, but it's dead.

I put it on the charger and turn it on.  My phone starts having a seizure.  I look to see 3 missed calls, 7 texts, and 1 voicemail.  Andy called twice, "Hanna" called once.  Andy texted 6 times, "hanna" texted once.  The voicemail is from Andy.

"Where have you been?  Why didn't you answer your phone?"  I turn around to see Andy looking pretty upset.