Ancient War

Ride Home

I am waiting for my mother to pick me up, but after an hour of waiting, I still don't see a sign of her. Carlo comes up to me and offers to take me home, but I tell him my mom can come in any second. He waits with me for a while but has to leave. I nod and he leaves reluctantly. I sigh and text my mom. She responds in a few minutes and I'm disappointed at what I read.

" Daughter,

I sorry, but I can't pick you up. The case will take a long time to finish and I have to work till 9. Have Carlo take you home and I'll repay you for this accident. I'm very sorry."

I call Carlo and he picks up on the first ring.

" Hello?"

" Carlo, it's me, Luna."

" Hey. Is your mom there yet?"

" No, she had work to do. She said to ask you to take me home."

" I'm still close to the school, so wait for me. I'll be there in a few minutes."

" Okay. Thank you."

" It was nothing. What are friends for, right?"

" Right."

He hangs up and while I wait, someone comes up behind me.

" I thought you would be gone by now."

I turn around and see it's Damon. He has an umbrella and frowns when he sees me partly wet. He walks up to me and covers us both.

" Why do you continue to help me?"

" I don't want you to get sick. Besides, you helped me during gym, when you could have said we are not a team."

" It was nothing. But why are you nice to me, after I started treating you bad from the moment we met?"

" Well, the hallway accident was my fault. I was reading my schedule and didn't even hear your footsteps. Then, you needed help. So I helped. I'm sorry I grabbed you your waist, though. I should have just given you my hand."

" It was weird, I'll admit. I never experienced bad luck, before this day."

" Why are you here still?"

" I'm waiting for Carlo to come"

" Wasn't he here a minute ago?"

" Yeah. He's going to take me home."

" Why is he taking a long time then?"

" He'll be here in a minute, don't worry."

Just then, my phone vibrates and I check who it is. I frown, as it's a message from Carlo. 

" Fox,

I'm sorry, but I have to go to work. I'm late. You can run home and I promise I'll bring you breakfast tomorrow. I'm sorry, but I forgot I had to work. Although, if you don't want to slip again, find another ride. I saw you with Damon. Ask him for a ride. I'm deeply sorry."

" So your ride canceled."

I look behind me and see him reading the message. I turn off my phone and try to find an excuse to not ride with him.

" Who said you could read it?'

" I'm sorry, but you looked angrily at the phone. I was curious."

He laughs and I let my hair cover my red face. I never blushed around a guy, but this guy really knows how to get me angry.

" Yeah, see ya."

" Where are you going?"

" Home. I'll run."

" Come one, I'll take you."

" I can run ---"

" And what if you fall again?"

" Fine, but let's hurry. I got to change and head to work."

" Where do you work?"

" Why do you care?"

" Because I can take you and ask for a job there, while I'm taking you. I need a job and it sounds like a good idea to start there."

" Well, it's at the gym, actually. I train sometimes. When I don't, I am in the office doing paperwork. We're looking for a permanent trainer, though. Maybe you can find a job."

" Sounds perfect. Let's go."

I follow him to the parking lot and see a 2014 Chevrolet impala.