A Rose Among Ashes

Chapter Two

 “I saw her again.”

            “Who?”

            “The girl. You know who…I’ve told you about her before.”

            “Oh, her? You’re still ‘seeing’ her? Don’t you think that you might be obsessing a little bit? I mean, how do you know there’s really anything between you? How do you know it even means anything? I see people in my dreams all the time, and that doesn’t mean they’re special or anything.”     

            “I know, I know…But I’m telling you, there’s something about her, I’m sure of it.”

            “What? Is she your ‘soul mate’?”

            “Maybe.”

            “My God Ari, you really are hopeless, aren’t you?”

            “Oh, come on Ian, would it kill you to be a little romantic?”

            “Possibly, haha. You’re more than enough for the both of us.”

            “Heh, fair enough.”

The two boys were sitting at a table in the mall food court. It was the end of summer, and they were savoring the last few days of freedom.

           “I’m never going to hear the end of this girl, am I?”

            “Nope. Not until I find her, anyway,” Ari half-joked.

            “You know what I’m going to do?”

            “Do I want to?”

            “This year, I'm gonna find you a girlfriend. That should take your mind off this

dream girl.’ And don’t even bother protesting, because I will do it.”

            “Yeah…I know. You’re as stubborn as ever. I guess it couldn’t hurt…I'm just afraid of what you’re going to come up with. Haha, I’ve seen your taste in girls!”

            “Psh, like you have anything to even say on the matter? At least I’ve had girlfriends.”

            “Are you really going to go there? It’s not like I’ve really been trying, and it’s not like you even have to try at all.”

            “Oh, stop exaggerating. You know it’s not really like that. Listen, it’s going to be our junior year, there’s prom and a bunch of other stuff to look forward to, and it’ll all be a lot more fun if we both have dates. Listen, you’re my best friend; I’m only looking out for you. Sorry if it comes across a little…harsh.”

            “Nah, its fine. I understand what you’re saying. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Wanna get out of here?”

            “Yeah, sure, nothing interesting here anyway.” The two of them got up and began walking out of the food court.

            “Hey! I just remembered something Ari. That game we’ve been waiting for is finally out! How about we go take a look? I totally forgot that today was the release date, heh.”

           “Wow, you’re right! Haha yeah, let’s check it out.” They practically ran over to the escalators, making it to the third floor in no time. Paying little attention, they ran into GameStop. Unknown to them, they bumped into someone on the way.

           “Watch it, huh?”

Ari and Ian turned around in the direction of the voice.