The Root of the Problem

Chapter 3

"Laney!" Chris ran up to her in the hallway with a devilish grin.

She wondered if he was really going to act as if they didn't have a fight yesterday. Chris was the type of guy that thought if he pretended nothing was wrong, he was in the clear. Laney, on the other hand, held grudges. She still remembered how Maddie Lewis stole her Fruit Gushers in first grade and honestly, she was still pissed about it.

She furrowed her brows at the memory and muttered under her breath, "She still owes me a pack so help me-"

"Uh, you okay there Laney?" Chris waved his hand in front of her face.

"Oh so that's all you're going to say to me, huh?" She said, crossing her arms and looking up at him. Laney had no problem with confrontation. Although she wasn't the most outgoing person, she spoke her mind when something was bothering her.

Chris hung his head down in exasperation as he realized that Laney wouldn't let it go that easily. Then, in the middle of the hallway, he bent down on his knees and held his hands together in front of him. Laney's face flushed with embarrassment as she looked around the hallway and saw numerous people staring at this odd scene.

"Laney, oh please, please forgive me. I would never intentionally disrespect a woman!" Chris called out dramatically while shaking his clasped hands. Laney knew Chris was purposely embarrassing her in public so she'd be more inclined to forgive him.. Laney scoffed knowing that his apology was far from sincere but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Get up you idiot. I guess I forgive you." Laney shook her head. She didn't know why she couldn't hold grudges when it came to Chris. It may be because she knew if she could, she'd lose him and she's afraid of being alone.

Chris stood up and lazily threw an arm around her shoulder.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to stay mad at me. I mean who could with a face like this." He grinned his award winning smile and Laney playfully slapped him as they walked to lunch.

Sitting at their table, Toddy was inching closer and closer to Gabby, most likely whispering some inappropriate nonsense by the look on her face. When she spotted Laney, her face flashed with relief.

"Oh thank God. I thought I was going to be stuck with Toddy all of lunch."

Toddy put his hands over his heart with an insincere, hurt expression. "Wow Gabrielle, I thought we were having a great time. I mean...you sure didn't pull away from me when I was saying how much I'd like to-"

"Okay! That's enough Toddy!" Laney shrieked while her face contorted into a disgusted expression.

"Toddy watch what you say. We have a pair a virgin ears here!" Chris loudly whispered while covering Laney's ears. Toddy burst into laughter and Gabby bit her lip trying to hide her giggles. Laney jabbed Chris hard in the ribs with her elbow making him drop his hands.

"At least I don't have worry about gonorrhea." Laney retorted.

"But you do have worry about mouth herpes." Gabby winked.

Chris choked on his drink sputtering, "Hey now!"

Laughter erupted at the table and even Laney let out a few giggles.

"Okay, okay, we're even." Chris put his hands up in defense before pulling Laney into a bear hug.

While Toddy and Chris were caught up in football talk, Gabby nudged Laney.

"Beck Denson is really staring you down." She nodded her head to the table he was sitting at. Sure enough, his eyes were glued to Laney, but more specifically, Chris's arms around Laney. His gaze seemed angry, as usual, but Laney also saw concern.