The Second Layer

Chapter 22: Garen

Chapter 22: Garen

Garen checked his watch. It was just after noon, so the girl he was waiting for should have already gotten out of her last class. He knew her schedule by heart, and her class load was light today. He waited almost nervously by her car, a small bag in his hands. It was strange that a human could make him feel this way, especially one that was still only in college. She was only nineteen, for crying out loud, although that made her of legal age to date whoever she wanted by human law. So even by human standards, it wasn't such a horrible thing, and yet still he felt like a cradle-robber. Because even he couldn't deny that he was attracted to the girl, and he supposed when he thought about it cradle-robbing was one of the least of the crimes he'd committed since becoming a freak. Yet he felt incredibly out-of-place as he stood there waiting.

Finally a moment later she turned the corner of the school towards the parking lot, and he saw her. Standing about 5'5" with dark hair and eyes, she was an attractive girl, though not beautiful. And yet there was something about her that made him nervous even just waiting for her. She was fiddling with a cell phone as she walked towards the car, but after several seconds she glanced up and caught sight of him. And the smile that spread over her face caused a warm feeling to spread through his entire body.

"Garen! It's about time you came to see me," Jayna said in a happy tone as she walked up to him. "It's been two weeks now. I keep waiting for you to just pop up and surprise me the way you always do, and I keep missing you when you don't. Don't wait so long next time, alright?"

"Sorry. I brought you a present," Garen offered, lifting the bag slightly to draw her attention to it. "I know the last time we talked you said there were a few books you really wanted to read, so."

Her smile widening even further, Jayna seized the bag and glanced inside, before suddenly throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tightly against her. Garen had known it was the right gift to give her. He could've gotten her far, far more expensive gifts, but Jayna was the type to enjoy the books more. Awkwardly Garen slipped his arms around her to return her embrace, enjoying the feel of her against him, enjoying the smell of her hair. Enjoying it all far, far too much, but unable to bring himself to let go. Finally she pulled back and just gazed into his eyes. "This was so sweet of you. Thanks, I really appreciate it. So, need a ride?"

"Well, I've left my entire day open. So, wherever you want to go, I'm happy to go too," Garen answered.

"Great. In that case, how about pizza? You hungry?" Jayna asked, keeping her eyes on him even as she walked around the car to the driver's side.

"I could eat, sure," Garen replied, waiting for her to slip into the car and unlock his door before climbing into the passenger side.

"Does this mean I've finally got you on a date?" Jayna pressed with a teasing grin.

"Nope. Pizza in the afternoon doesn't constitute a date," Garen told her.

"Awwww, c'mon. You're going to go on a date with me eventually you know. You can't help it. I'm irresistible. That's why you keep coming back," Jayna continued to tease, watching him as much as the road as they pulled out of the school parking lot.

"Is that why you still haven't gone out with anyone your own age? You're still waiting for me to ask you out?" Garen asked.

"My own age? You're not that old, you know," Jayna stated firmly.

'Older than you think,' Garen thought, but he didn't say the words. He only looked like he was in his mid-twenties, after all. The truth was he was over fifty now, but he couldn't tell her that. All she saw was how young he looked. And that was a good thing. Because the truth would be a very dangerous thing for her to know. Finally he just decided to avoid the issue altogether. "You didn't answer my question," he told her.