Insubstantially Me

Chapter 23

I was amazed by how quickly I felt comfortable with these guys. I still compulsively glanced out the window, but I talked and laughed freely with them, which was a something of a new experience for me. I always shied away from groups like this before, finding them juvenile, obnoxious, and, more often than not, awkward. But I suppose captivity, fugitivism, and forced isolation will work wonders for a person's social skills, spontaneity, and tolerance. I even found myself participating when Alex flirted with me. Something he didn't appear capable of not doing.

I used to feel that flirting was mindless and sometimes revolting, but right now, it was fun. And just like the rest of my interaction with this group, it made me feel like a person again. To these guys, I wasn't Sam, the genius who never fit in anywhere. I wasn't Abi, the freaky or pitied lab rat. And I wasn't some nameless runaway, trying desperately to be invisible. I was Sarah, the mysterious, witty stranger who effortlessly made friends and astonished them with my ability to polish off pizza like a man.

I was on my fourth slice and that was pushing it for me, especially since the slices were huge. But I only did it to see their faces. When I took my second piece, I got raised eyebrows from David and Alex. I guess the girls they were used to, ate like birds. When I'd taken my third, the others started paying attention and betting on if I would throw up. So just for fun, I lifted the fourth slice to my mouth and took a big bite, wanting to laugh when Jason's jaw dropped.

"I'm gonna have to man up and eat another one," Moose announced. "It's pathetic if I can't beat this little girl."

I had just swallowed and was about to retort with a bet that I could down a fifth, when I caught an unwelcome glimpse of a growingly familiar accountant type, out the window.

I'm not sure if the guys heard my unladylike comment as I dropped the pizza and slid under the table, hoping that man hadn't looked inside the restaurant before I was out of view.

I tried not to think of what I was going to say to everyone to explain my behavior, or the kind of bacteria that was probably living on the floor. At the moment, nothing mattered but making sure I wasn't noticed.

"I think you insulted her," Peter joked, making the others laugh.

I twisted and looked up to see that David wasn't laughing along with the others. He was watching me intensely.

My eyes widened and I jumped when I heard the bell that signaled someone coming into the restaurant. Had he seen me?

"Please don't say anything," I whispered. What would I do if I'd misjudged this man? I allowed myself to do exactly what Lily advised me not to, and now I was completely at this stranger's mercy.

David watched me for another few seconds before looking in the direction of the door. I breathed a little easier noting the scowl that crossed his face. He was siding with me.

He nonchalantly slid over so that it wouldn't appear as if a person were missing from the bench and I took the opportunity to curl in a ball, ducking partially under his long legs.

I rested my head on my knees, just able to see a little of the area between our table and the register, from my vantage point between everyone's feet. Thankfully, they were all taking the hint and didn't mention me again. Instead they carried on as if I didn't exist.

Even hidden as I was, my pulse sped with every tap of the shoes that brought him closer, and my heart seemed to stop altogether when the expensive-looking shoes came into view, halting not ten feet away.

You don't know it's him for sure, I tried telling myself. It could be anyone. Don't panic.

But then a familiar black briefcase with J.P. inscribed on it, landed quietly next to the shoes, and I allowed myself to panic.