Surviving the Harrison Boys (Re-write)

forty-three // ice cream

Turns out Oliver had a car, which I was grateful for. I didn't feel like walking in the heat.

"So," he began as he pulled up to a stoplight, "tell me about yourself, Hunter."

"Oh jeez," I thought for a moment, "well, I'm originally from Rochester, Minnesota. I moved here about two and a half months ago, I live down the road with Harrison family."

"Ah yes, you came around with PJ, didn't you?" He asked. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm friends with Xavier. They're nice people."

"Very," I agreed. "To be honest with you, Oliver, I'm not a very interesting person."

He rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt that. Come on, I'm sure there's more to you than what you've just told me."

I thought for a second. "Um, I really like music. I write songs sometimes and play a couple instruments."

"And you said there's nothing interesting about you." He scoffed. "That's actually really cool. It takes a lot of work and creativity to be a musician. I'd love to hear some of your stuff one day."

"One day," I said, "I recently started writing songs again, so it'll take me a while to get back into the mojo."

"Take your time." He smiled.

"What about you?" I looked at him. Oliver glanced at me before turning back to the road.

"What about me?"

"I mean, tell me about you! What's interesting about Oliver, the convenience store guy?" I chuckled. He shook his head with a smile.

"Uh well, I'm actually from North Carolina, but after my parents got divorced when I was about three, my dad and I moved here." He let out a heavy sigh.

I frowned. "I'm sorry."

"Ah, it's been fourteen years." He shrugged. "It doesn't hurt as much as it used to. Anyways, uh, I like books, like a lot. I basically live on reading."

"Well, I know that if I ask if you prefer books or movies..."

"Books, for sure." Oliver answered it like it wasn't even a hard question. "The books are always better."

"True."

"Jeez, what else?" He bit his inner cheek as he thought. I smiled at the gesture. "I'm allergic to cucumbers."

"Cucumbers?" I giggled.

He laughed. "I know, it's pretty random. Most people are allergic to nuts or dairy, and then there's just me with cucumbers. It's dumb."

"No, it isn't." I laughed softly. "It makes you who you are."

Oliver smiled. "That's all there really is about me, to be honest."

"Play any sports?"

He scoffed and gave me an 'are you serious?' look. "Do I look like I play sports?"

I put my hands up in defense. "My bad."

Oliver pulled into the parking lot of a cute little ice cream parlor. We exited his car and he smiled as he opened the door for me. I thanked him and walked inside. There was an elderly man sitting behind the counter.

"Hi, Oliver." He greeted happily.

"Hey, Gramps." Oliver waved. I looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. He winked at me. "Free ice cream is always good, isn't it?"

I smiled. "Yes, it is."

The both of us approached the counter. The old man put on his glasses and extended his shaky hands to me. "Are you Oliver's girlfriend?"