Wounds

Chapter // 2

The sky was so pretty; the sun was just setting and the sky was a mix between the navy blue clouds and orange and red streaks of light shining through. 

Once we ordered-- a chocolate peanut butter sundae for myself, a strawberry milkshake for Laurel, and a mint chocolate chip flurry for Ali-- we sat a few seats away from the boys at a small black marble table. 

"Don't you know any of their names?" Ali asked.

"None," Laurel replied.

"I think the blonde one's Andrew. His other friend is Carter," I answered.

I'd been listening in on their conversation when we walked in. 

At the sound of his name, Andrew looked over at me. I glanced down at the floor. Laurel gave me a nudge, but he was already engaged in another discussion on what their plans were for Spring break. It was so difficult not to listen in, Ali wouldn't shut up.

"Oh, you know I think he def likes you. I mean he keeps looking over her, he's so ador--" 

"Ali, shut up!" I whispered. 

Laurel just laughed. 

"Be careful what you think," Ali warned. She winked at me.

I wasn't even halfway done with my ice cream before I heard small shouts of "Get up!" and "Go on, man!" coming from the front of the parlor.

"Shh, shut up Brent, stop," Andrew's eyes widened and he was grinning.

"Te amo," One of them said, while looking over his shoulder. His statement was clearly directed toward us. 

"What? Are we in sixth grade, now?" Andrew complied. "Give it a rest or you'll wake up with blue all over."

Of course it wasn't just "the aliens" that could give us the strange blue marks that bled before glowing. If we slipped on something, or cut ourselves, the bruises and gashes would turn up blue before long. 

Laurel and Ali were both smirking at me.

"What?!"

"Nothing..." They both giggled. Bad sign.

It looked like the boys were waiting for something. They were finished with their ice cream and had already paid.

"Let's go, I've got homework to do," Ali said.

"Maybe you should've done it in study hall, smart one," Laurel replied.

Ali smacked Laurel in the back of the head. Vio-lent.

We got up to walk back to my black Escalade, a sweet sixteen birthday present from my parents.

Laurel peeked back at the boys, who were following not too far behind us, and made some signal to Ali. They both started fast walking to my car.

I stopped, trying to figure out what they were doing.

Of course they would leave me.

"Hi, Heather, I'm Andrew," This beautiful person just strolled to my side and said "hello". What the hell do I do.

"Uh, hi," I mumbled. He seemed to fit in well, for having just moved here.

"I was wondering... You wanna practice together sometime?" He asked me. It wasn't too light out still, so I don't know if he was really blushing or not. Hello, boldness.

His friends were quietly guffawing behind us. Laurel and Ali were nowhere in sight.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and continued to walk with me, waiting for a response.

"Sure! Um, I know we've got the game on Wednesday..." 

"How's Friday, after school?" He suggested. Neither of our teams had practice on Fridays, so it was convenient.

"Yeah! I'll meet you on the field," I turned and smiled. 

He gave me a big, toothy grin and turned to walk back to his friends. But not without a small wave and a, "See ya soon Heather!" 

In a daze,I continued to walk to my car, with my head down, smiling, and could hear Andrew's friends clapping him on the back, quietly saying "Alright!" and "WOOH!" 

Boys are crazy.

I opened my car door, to a very loud "TELL US EVERYTHING!"

I entered my car and started the ignition, and began my spiel on what just happened. It wasn't too lengthy; since all he did was come over and invite me to practice lacrosse with him... no big deal, right?

"I'm so psyched for our wittle honey bee, she's growing up," Ali squeeled. 

"Shut up," We were all laughing. 

I'm really excited. And nervous. And excited. And super nervous. Did I mention confused?