CEM: The Moments In Between

First Blush

Rayne stood alone in line and looked at the menu. She wasn't exactly sure that she'd find something on it worth eating. Everything sounded so sloppy and loaded with grease. She crinkled her nose at the menu and wondered for the millionth time why Av liked this place. She looked around the lobby with a disdainful critical eye. She wasn't a snob or anything, she just didn't favor most fast food restaurant chains. She loved the little mom and pop places that they had found along the roadsides on their little road trip, but this was a big chain restaurant. Which meant that despite that franchise each restaurant was run by some manager that, even though they meant well, they most likely didn't really care about the people they served or the restaurant that they ran because they didn't own it in the sense that a small privately owned restaurant owner did, they had no real stock in the success or failure of the place. It was hard not to be cynical when you've seen it hundreds of times. She checked the time on her phone and decided to wait a little longer before getting in line. She hadn't seen Avi in about a week and she was anxious. It was probably a really bad idea for them to meet in public for the first time after a weeklong separation, they were still very much in the "honey moon" stage of their relationship. They were terrible at keeping their hands and lips off each other. Their bodies just wound up tangled and naked whenever they were left alone for more than fifteen minutes. Well, it seemed like that sometimes. She smiled at the warm memories and sighed. She loved those times.

"Excuse me Miss." A soft voice startled her. She stepped back from the speaker, more to protect him than herself. "Aren't you Rayne Robinson?" When she didn't answer, the poor creature went on. "You run marathons. You have the best women's time in the country." She was mortified. 'Not again!' was all that she could think. "I'm one of your biggest fans. You are simply amazing." The young man beamed at her. She shook off her fear and looked at the young man before her. He was meticulously clean and well groomed. His clothes were up to date with the modern trends for most nerds, but still kind of trendy. He kept his dark hair in a style like Mitch's, sides cropped short with all the length coming from the top, bangs over his eyes. He had a cute little boyish look about him. He was slight of frame and short on stature, probably still a teenager. Rayne watched him with cautious green eyes.

"Hi." She said but did not take the hand the boy had offered. "I'm sorry. I am quite new at this. Please forgive me..." She looked at the boy with a question in her eyes that only Avi would have understood was there. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name." She paused and waited for the boy to respond. It took him way too long to reply, triggering her mental alarms.

"It-it-a- it's Jonathan, Jonathan Smiley." Again, he offered his hand and again she refused to take it. By now the boy should be able to read her expressions and see her obvious discomfort. She wasn't on the defensive so far and hadn't even thought about offense yet. "You're even more beautiful in person."

"Thank you." She said softly and blushed, eyeing the boy suspiciously.

"Can I get your autograph?" The young man eagerly asked. She was flattered but cautious.

"Sure. You got a pen and paper?"

"You can just sign my arm." She scrunched up her little nose at him without even thinking about it.

"I will not." She stated flatly. "I don't see the point in that. I am not putting my name on your body. If you get a napkin or a paper bag from here and a pen. I'll gladly sign that for you." The boy looked heartbroken.

"Okay." He said a little more than sad. Then, he perked up. "Can I buy your lunch? I can't believe you run marathons and you eat here." He absolutely beamed at her.

"Oh. That's nice, but no. I am meeting someone here. It's one of his favorite places. I don't think I would eat here on my own." She gave him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry." She said hoping either Avi would show up and rescue her or the young man would just go away. The boy continued to try and talk to Rayne, hitting on her.

Behind her Avi heard every word and he had heard enough. How dare this fool talk to his girlfriend like that and how dare he stand there like a coward and let him.

"I'm sorry I'm late Hun. Traffic was a nightmare." Came the deep rumble from behind her as Avi stepped up to her. He watched her shoulders relax at the sound of his voice and placed his hand on the small of her back. She turned, a brilliant but frightened smile planted on her face. Avi recognized the look immediately and surmised the trouble. He leaned in and briefly touched his lips to hers, hugged her tight and turned is attention to the young man that had been talking to her. He was shocked that he had kissed her in public. He pulled her into the order line and started talking to her like the boy wasn't there. It was rude, out of the ordinary for him and highly ineffective. The boy didn't go away. He just kept trying to talk to Rayne with Avi standing by her side.

"Did you get my letter Miss Rayne?" The boy said unperturbed by Avi's presence beside Rayne. This boy was a fool. Avi kept his arm loosely around Rayne, knowing that if she went on the offense he'd only be a liability to her. She could defend them both quite well.

"I'm sorry no I didn't." She said quite coolly. She didn't have a manager to receive them, her address was unlisted as well as her phone number. If she had Spidey-senses, they would be tingling, as it was, the hairs on the back of her neck were standing. Her calm demeanor masked her fear perfectly. She put on the proverbial helmet and prepared her defenses.

"I sent it to your house." Alarms went off in Avi's head too.

"You shouldn't have her address." He glared angrily at the young man. "I think it's best if you go now." His tone was clipped, his voice commanding and not gentle at all.

"Miss Rayne?" The boy questioned, ignoring Avi. Avi's fist clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white; they were not going to hug this out.

"Do as he says." Rayne commanded and looked at the boy, her eyes dark and cold, her tone matching Avi's. The boy left the restaurant only to stand outside the window and watch them. Avi and Rayne looked at each other for a long quiet moment before a sweet female voice calling from behind, called out Avi's given name and interrupted them.

"Avriel! Who is this?" The woman questioned softly, her eyes indicating Rayne. Both Avi and Rayne turned at the same time. Avi, of course, immediately recognized the woman that had given birth to him and the man who had caused it. His eyes widened in shock and surprise. He hadn't planned on this day just yet. Avi realized he most likely kissed her in front of his parents, without even realizing he had done so.

"Mom! Dad!" Avi exclaimed and blushed heavily into his beard. "What are you doing here?" He took Rayne's hand as he led her back to meet his parents.