BREAKING FREE.

CHAPTER 12

"What's wrong then?"

"What do you mean by that? "I asked puzzled by his question.

" You know what I mean... "
" I don't. Are you implying that there is something wrong with me? "

" Is there?!
I realized the conversation was again getting out of hand and I sat bolt upright, gripping the table.
"I wasn't interested in them."I said not meeting his eyes.
"Lets leave this, Chase. I'm sorry we got into it... "
" It was you wanted to get into it- remember. "

" Yes, well I've changed my mind. "I sounded like a twelve year old.

" Anything you say, miss Brian. What do you want to talk about now? "he asked with a little smirk

" I don't know. "
" Well, are you not interested in anything else about me besides college and women? "

" Well, I was-" I started but was cut short when someone called my name from behind, I turned around and was surprised to see non other than Luke. He strolled towards our table with a huge smile plastered on his face.
"Its really you.. Oh my goodness, how are you Baby. "he said reaching out with both his open arms tackling me in a huge embrace, I almost chocked from the way he was squashing me in his chest.
" I.. I Ca..n.. t bre..a..th!"I managed to croak out.
I untangled myself from him and sighed in relief.
During the whole episode Chase sat quietly looking at us, his expression was hard to tell.

"How have you been Ava? What a surprise to meet you here. "Luke continued talking excitedly like we were long lost cousins.

" Yeah Luke, am also surprised to see you here. "I replied nervously.
Chase was still looking at us with that weird look across his face.
What could be going through his mind I wondered.

" Oh, you got company.. Hi, I didn't see you there. "Luke exclaimed finally noticing Chase.
I decided to do the introduction. " Luke meet Chase, my brother and Chase, Luke a friend I met recently. "I said gesturing from one person to the other.
" Your brother! what a relief! "He said with a deep sigh
" What! "Chase and I muttered simultaneously staring at Luke.

" Nothing. "He said raising both his hands. " I was just thinking out loud. "

We sat in silence for a while, I didn't know how to start a conversation with Luke who did not even announce his arrival, plus my brother seemed to have not entertained his presence. So I sat quietly staring into my drink.

" How is your holiday so far, Ava? "I heard someone speak and I raised my head.
" Huh. "I muttered since the question caught me by surprise.
" How is your holiday? "Luke asked again.
I raised an eyebrow, why was he asking me about my holiday which was not even over yet.
" So far... Its great. "I managed to say with a lopsided smile. I hope he wasn't going to start  interrogating me on what I did and what I was still planning to do.
I looked briefly at Chase and he seemed to be far off, he wasn't even paying attention to our conversation.

" Your brother doesn't talk much, does he? "Luke asked as he saw me look at Chase.
" No. "I simply answered, first he wasn't aware of whom he was talking about and at the same time speaking about him as if he wasn't present.

" What do you want us to talk about? "Chase spoke suddenly surprising both of us.
" Oh sorry,"Luke said with a nervous laugh.  "I just thought you are very quiet."
"Is that a bad thing... To stay quiet and think to yourself? "He asked looking intently at Luke.
What is he up to now? I thought, he was asking rhetorical question which was unlike him.
Luke gave a nervous laugh again" Its okay man.. If you got things to think about, just go a head. "He said scratching the back of his neck.