Always You

Chapter 7

Ezra

It was almost lunch time by the time Brody and I got to the cafeteria. As soon as we settled into a table on the far corner, Brody started busily digging into his food like there was no tomorrow.

"Mmm. Today's menu," he muffled through a mouthful of food, "is the bomb! The others are so missing out."

I looked around the cafeteria as I grabbed a spoonful of food. It took a few bites before I spotted them; Sierra and two other girls. They were sitting on the other side of the cafeteria, chatting away over their meals. Maybe I'll get a chance to go say hello later.

Despite her casual attire, Sierra looked effortlessly stylish. She surely has grown up since her teenage years; she was pretty at 15, but now she was stunning. While she was beautiful, it was her personality above all that captured my heart all those years ago. And from our conversation last night, it seemed like her personality hasn't changed much. She laughed at something one of her friends had said, and I couldn't help but wonder what they were laughing about. The two blonde girls on either side of her seemed nice and friendly, and Sierra looked very comfortable in their company. I smiled, she seemed as friendly and approachable as she'd always been.

I was forced out of my day dream when I felt a sharp jab to my ribs. "Oww," I breathed. "Was that really necessary?"

"I asked you how your stomach is feeling," Brody repeated with a confused expression.

"It was feeling okay, until you decided to poke your elbow in it," I said, rubbing my sides.

"Sorry, maybe I nudged you a little too hard," he apologised. "But that's what best friends are for right?"

"What, hurting them even more when they are injured?" I challenged with my eyebrows raised.

Brody grinned, "I can tell something's on your mind, Ez. What is it?"

"I ran into Sierra last night, she's here. She's here at this college." I admitted.

His face perked up, "wait, the Sierra? The Sierra you've told me about? The one who randomly vanished out of thin air? The one you tried to find on Facebook and other social media like a stalker?"

I gave him a look, "I am so not a stalker! I just wanted to know where she'd gone," I explained. "How many girls with the name Sierra have you ever met?" I questioned.

"True that," he pondered. "Smart ass," he added, squinting his eyes at me. "So, are you going to do anything?"

"Well, first off I have a few questions I really want to know the answers to," I said, eyes fixed on Sierra. It was as if she sensed my eyes on her, as she turned her attention from whatever her friend was saying, catching my eyes as soon as she looked over. She offered a tight grin, but her eyes seemed distant, reserved.

"Is that her?" Brody had followed my gaze.

"Yep," I said absentmindedly.

"She's cute," he remarked, which resulted in sharp a nudge from me.

"Don't you even think about it," I warned.

"Of course not! I'd never!" Brody said, hands raised in the air in surrender. "I was just saying," he added with a wink.

The girls on either side of her noticed their friend's shifted attention, and I felt two extra sets of eyes on me.

Standing up from the table, I said to Brody, "I think I'm going over to say hello, I'll be back soon."

"Can you introduce me to her friends?" he pleaded.

"Oh, snap out of it!" I gave him a gentle slap on the shoulder as I stepped in the direction toward the girls' table.