The Smell of Lilies

Chapter 2

Brandon stared at the swinging door she had just exited from, a knot forming in his stomach.

Brandon, why are you such a dick? He asked himself. It’s not her fault that he lost; he didn't know the answer to that riddle anyway. And with his rash mouth he hurt her. She didn't look like she was happy to start with, he thought. He sat there, staring at the ten in front of him. Ambiguity kept him in his seat. If he left now, would he be able to catch up with her? Or find her at all? Chicago has a lot of people in it. Even the difference of a few seconds could ruin his chances of catching up with her.

He tucked his hands into his pockets and hurried out the door. The cold air that foreshadowed snow hit his face, but it didn't bother him. He was used to it. His eyes searched and found the girl walking east just a few paces ahead. He jogged up to catch her.

“Hey!” he called. The lady stopped a little and turned to see who had called. When she saw Brandon she froze. He noticed her red cheeks and nose which made him realize that she was only wearing jeans and a thin jacket. This made him feel worse.

“I was only kidding, you know,” Brandon said, holding the ten in front of her.

“Oh,” was all she said. It was then that she noticed he wasn’t that much taller than her. Maybe a few inches. Kel was a five foot eleven girl with hips and a chest. And suddenly she was self-conscious because that’s how she had been her entire life while she stood amongst small, skinny girls. Standing next to Brandon did make her feel better though.

Out in the open air, Brandon could get a better look at her now. She was tall, with legs that could get any guys attention. She had long auburn hair that curled at the ends. Her eyes were large and very dark. Larger than large eyes, which threw him off. But he couldn’t help but think they were kind of pretty.

“Well, aren’t you going to take it?” he asked.

She blinked and looked at the ten. Something in her face made her seem desperate, but she didn’t move.

“Are you okay?” he asked then. This made her look straight at him. Her face was blank, but her eyes said otherwise.

“I’m fine,” she said defensively. “Why?”

“Well, for one thing you aren’t taking your money back,” he pointed out.

“Oh.”

“You said that.”

Kel pursed her lips. “Just, just take it. I’ll be fine.”

Before she could start walking away, he took her arm to stop her. His hand was big and strong around her, forcing her to stop.

“You will be?” he asked. “You said this was all you had.”

Again she didn’t answer. Instead she found herself caught up in the familiarity of his face. Maybe she has seen him somewhere before? God, stop being so stupid and just take the money. Just take it and go.

“Yes, well, alright then,” she said and took the ten. “Thanks.”

Brandon nodded. “You sure you’re going to be alright? You don’t seem very coherent right now.”

“I’m not drunk, if that’s what your insinuating.”

There was a slight tug on the corner of his mouth, hardly a smile. But he was amused. “I didn’t say that.”

“Well then what were you saying?”

“You just seem a little…distracted.”

Kel wanted to tell him it’s none of his goddamn business and walk away. But there was a part of her that liked the talking. Talking was a good disruption for her current situation.