Make believe

Chapter 3

That night, I had thought and thought about the stranger named Ashton. While he was cute and funny, I was surprised to realize that I wasn't actually attracted to him.

At least not romantically.

But I did have the growing hope that I'd see him again.

I had woken up the next morning at exactly 7:00 a.m. and began fixing myself some breakfast. Grabbing some cereal, I poured it in to a bowl. Then I realized that we were out of milk. Grabbing my car keys, I walked out the door, and was instantly engulfed in warm sunlight. That day had been beautiful.

I placed my keys back on the counter and decided to walk to the store. It was only a little ways away. Stepping back outside, I smiled at the bright sun, grinned at the cool breeze, and began walking down the empty road.

Although days like this are the ones people tend to remember, I still prefer the subtle beauty of the rain.

The drive to "Sherrie's Grocery" usually took only five minutes, but walking was about fifteen. I didn't mind. I walked a little ways, becoming lost in my own thoughts about Summer. I thought about vacationing at the beach. About spending time with Aubree, and hopefully meeting new people. I thought lazily about the days where I would do nothing but read and watch movies, and found myself especially excited about those.

I had always loved the solitude of those days, the rainy ones where you stay inside and find yourself in a different place all together- getting lost in a book. Becoming emotionally involved in a movie. And just spending time with yourself.

As I walked farther and farther toward town, the streets became more and more lively with people. I lived in an average-sized town, with average shops and stores, owning nothing to make it stand out against the others. The streets were laced with Christmas lights- which were kept up all year 'round. Sidewalks traveled down the road, filled with people, despite the early hour of the morning.

As I neared the shop, I reminded myself of what to get. A little ring sounded as I opened the door and continued in. Going straight to the back of the store, I grabbed the milk and began strolling down a random aisle, waiting for something to catch my eye.

There was nothing really, so I had began walking to the front of the store, where a small line had formed. I stood there impatiently, thinking about my cereal, which was still in it's bowl, all alone and milk-less. What if it had staled already? Nah, I hadn't been gone very long.

Then I started wondering about what I'd do that day, then Ashton found his way in to my head. How was I going to get his jacket back to him? Did he even care that much? I felt a tad silly worrying over something so small, and looking back, it was probably just the want of seeing him again that made that so.

Suddenly, I heard a soft crash, the bursting of liquid right next to me. And then I felt a sticky wetness covering my ankles and calves. Cringing and looking down, I saw that I had dropped the milk. And it was everywhere.

I guess I really do get lost in my mind.

I hadn't even noticed it drop until I heard the distinct splash of falling liquid. Looking around, I immediate began apologizing to the people that were closest to me, and hoping I hadn't gotten them too wet. A women in a blazer whose hair was pulled tight from her face didn't look too happy with me; but kept silent.

A middle aged man with a kind smile assured me it was alright. It's then I realized that the person who was directly in front of me must've gotten really wet, so I turned to apologize.

I saw black skinny jeans drenched at the ankles, and I immediately blushed with embarrassment. Then I saw a grey 'Nirvana' t-shirt and as my eyes traveled farther upward, they landed on a pair of blue ones.

They weren't the kind of blue that asked for your attention; they weren't bright, and it doesn't exactly feel right comparing them to the ocean because they were their own kind of blue. Soft and dull and faded and beautiful.

Standing out against the paleness of his skin, they shined and I remember the boy laughing at my awkwardness.

"I-I'm so sorry." I got out, picking up the now empty carton.

A nervous chuckle escaped his mouth, and I didn't know whether he was laughing at my clumsiness, or just at the situation. Either way, I didn't know what else to say, so I muttered another quick "sorry" before turning to trash the carton.

Rushing back to get yet another carton of milk, I scrambled back to the line and quickly payed the cashier for both cartons.

As I turned to leave, I was met with those eyes, yet once again.

"Hey." He said, looking down at me. The height difference was quite significant.

"Uh, hi." I stuttered, struggling to carry the awkward shaped carton comfortably.

He didn't say a word, just held the door open for me. I walked through, then saw the boy walking through after me. I stopped.

"I just want to say sorry for earlier." I said. "Again."

He scratched the back of his head and looked around bordly.

"No problem."

I stood there in a rather uncomfortable silence, wondering if he was just being polite by getting the door; or if he was feeling social, and wanted to strike up a conversation.

I always wonder these kind of things.

"I'm Luke." He said, just as I was about to turn around and start walking.

His hand was held out in an awfully formal gesture. Chuckling, I shook it and said "I'm Laraine."

I noticed his hands kept clasping and unclasping, and almost smiled at the habit.

"You live far from here?" He asked.

"Actually, just about five minutes from here." I answered.

"Oh cool. Cool." Was his response. I found myself being drawn to his blatant and utter nervousness and wondered if he was just naturally anxious- or if it was me.

I decided it definitely wasn't me.

We walked a little longer in silence, and I felt my face burning. I didn't know what to say, nor did I have anything to say. But I wanted to talk to him. But there was nothing to talk a about. I got lost in wishing I wasn't so awkward when I heard,

"Can I have your number?"

I looked over and saw him glancing my way in between taking glances at the ground. The question caught me so off guard, all I said was,

"What?" And immediately felt bad for replying so bluntly.

"Your number, uhh..." He trailed off. "Maybe we could hang out sometime?" Then he looked at me and smiled.

"Uh, yeah, sure." My heart raced. This never happens to me. Never. For a moment, I felt like somebody else. Some girl who gets stopped on the street, who gets asked for her number, and who isn't awkward. For once. No, he was definitely the awkward one in this situation.

It warmed my heart, actually.

I gave him my number and smiled like an idiot while doing it. Suddenly, his phone let off a tone and he checked for a message.

"I gotta go." He said. "It was nice meeting you." He paused, then added "Laraine."

"You too, Luke." I said as he turned around and started walking in the opposite direction down the street. I watched him for a minute, then continued down the now-empty road.

The walk home was peaceful and relaxing. I was in a suddenly great mood and when your in as good mood as I was, everything seems to have a beautiful quality to it. Everything just feels...right.

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So I think this is my longest chapter so far, yay for effort! I really hope to start updating more often, now that the story's kinda taking shape.

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And comment telling me what you think, it would mean the world xx