I'm Fine

Chapter 23

"Imogen?" asks Brody, waving a hand in front of my face. I snap back to reality after trying and failing to piece together my life puzzle.

"Sorry, Brody. Um, it's just I can't focus right now." He smiles softly at me, putting a hand on mine.

"It's okay, Imogen. I understand," he replies, eyeing me with his bright blue eyes.

"Thanks, Brody." He nods silently, a moment passes between us. I can't call it romantic exactly, more like a mutual understanding.

A buzz sounds and I let the moment slide. Brody winces and gives me an apologizing look but I brush it off and return to my food.

I can't help but eye Brody's dimmed mood as he stares down at his phone. I contemplate asking him what's wrong but I feel the words get stuck in my throat.

"Imogen, I apologize profoundly for this. I have to go, somethings up at home." I don't push him further and give him a solid nod.

"Go. I can handle myself." He smiles at me again and my stomach churns. Brody is something new altogether. He gets me but suddenly, the sparks seem to have flickered out. But he loves me, so what am I saying? Do I love him back?

"I'll see you later!" He calls as he exits. I then realize how important this must be because he was my ride back to school, or to wherever I was going to go. Brody doesn't seem like the forgetful type so for him to completely disregard my transportation seems rare.

I sigh, finish up my food and call Henry over. He asks me if I need anything else and I decline, grinning to him as I go. There's a bench outside Harby's that I take the liberty to use. I scroll through my contacts, suddenly wishing for more friends.

I could ask Harly to come fetch me, but she seemed much too upset about my being here. And she doesn't drive so she would have to walk all the way here anyway and there's no point in that. I could ask Annette but she would ask too many questions, or I fear she would. I know her better than that, she would leave me alone, but I don't want to get her in trouble with Mum. Maybe Ellie? I don't even have her number anyway, that's a bust. But I could always call Damian. Wait, what am I saying? I can't call Damian if I'm supposedly in love with Brody, but we're just friends...would that still count? I decide that I don't really have too many other options, besides getting in trouble or walking back to school, that I don't want to go to in the first place. So I do it. I text Damian.

I wait almost ten minutes, but he replies.

I'm coming to get you, Imogen! Wait there, I'll come soon.
Damian Hamilton
9:14am

Thank you :) I owe you one
9:14am

No way, Gen. This is on me, no need to owe me ;)
Damian Hamilton
9:15am

I smile to myself and wait patiently as Damian presumably makes up an excuse then comes to pick me up. He arrives quicker than I can count and I hop into the passenger seat.

He engulfs me in a hug. I laugh and a family out in front of the Diner gives us strange glances.

"Let's get out of here," I say, pushing him off of me. He laughs and pouts, playfully putting on his puppy dog eyes. "No, stop! Your puppy dog eyes are deadly!"

"Where do you wanna go, Gen?"

"Not back to school, by the way, how'd you get out of that?"

He suddenly looks uncomfortable. "Don't worry, I have a list of excuses up my sleeve." He winks at me and I fall into fits of laughter again.

"I've got an idea, why don't we drive to the beach?" I say. He nods and agrees.

We drive down to the beach and find a warm spot on the welcoming sand. Damian finds an umbrella in the boot of the car and does his best to stick it in the sand. He sets out a mat for us to lie down on and we both collapse onto it grinning from ear to ear.