The New Kid

Chapter 34

Christian has enough homework that he sticks around the Full Mug my whole shift. When I clock out, he walks me to my car. 

I lean against Robin. Christian follows suit.

"So, why is Monty the only senior football guy who hangs out with you? Wouldn't he get along better with the senior table?" I ask curiously. Christian crosses his arms, "Well, like you heard Monty say, him and I have been friends for a long time. We've always played football together since I started in the sixth grade. He was an eighth grader then, but he kind of took me under his wing. I guess, he's my closest friend. I go to him for advice. I don't think the age difference matters to us. Plus, Brock is a senior, that would keep me away from the senior table," he finishes. 

I ponder that a moment. "Yeah, but what about girls? Wouldn't he rather date juniors or seniors?" I ask. Christian shrugs, "I think he's had crushes on people in his grade before, I just think you're really special, and he sees that too." I blush a little. "Still," I say, "A boundary is a boundary." I turn toward Christian and pull him in closer to me and kiss those soft lips of his. I pull away and he smiles, "You're the one I want to be with," I remind him.

Christian envelopes me in a tight hug, "You're my girl." 

I tell him that he's supposed to come over for dinner to get to know my family better sometime this week. We decide that tomorrow works for both of us.

"See you, Christian!" I say. He gives me one more kiss before I close my car door and I smile from cheek to cheek. Seriously, I don't think I'll ever tire of his lips against mine.

.......................

I'm almost home, it's now about 8PM, when my phone starts ringing. I see that Sylvia is calling me. I let it ring and ring until I am home safely parked. I call her back while still in the driveway.

"Sylvia, hey what's up?" I ask when she picks up.

"Can you come over, please?" she says. She sounds distressed.

"Yeah, definitely. Are you okay?"

She says she'll tell me all about it when I get there. I wonder the whole drive what's going on.

Minutes later, I've parked the car and started to head into Sylvia's place. She's at the door waiting for me and motions me in. We both grab a water from the kitchen and we go to her room. She shuts the door and sighs, as if we're hiding from someone or something.

I'm sitting on her bed and I pat the spot next to me so that she'll sit. 

"So, what happened," I ask her. Her eyes looks sad, motionless. 

She's quiet for a few moments and I shake her, "Hey, you're worrying me. Tell me what's going on!"

She looks blankly at me, "I messed up, bad."

"Be specific." I press.

"I was at work right after school, at the ice cream shop, and you know, we do pretty well with traffic. Everybody loves it. 

Anyway, Logan walks in with a group of his buddies, including that other guy we met, Chasen."

"Yeah? What happened?" I ask again.

"Well, Logan recognized me. And, well, we were both totally sober now, so I thought, maybe I'd give him another chance. I thought he was really cute the other night minus the drama."

I start to see where this is going. I look at her with understanding to let her know she can keep telling the story.

"Basically," Sylvia says, "He asked me to join them and I had a shorter shift so I said yes."

"So, this was all just a couple hours ago?" I clarify.

"Right. And I was stupid and got into the back of his car with his friends. And they started to bug me. Like, you know, touch me and make fun of me."

I didn't know what to say, I just let her keep talking.

"...So these guys, I don't know them. Chasen was in the passenger seat next to Logan. Logan thought it was all hilarious, and told them a was a freshie in high school. I yelled at them to stop touching me, and I yelled at Logan to stop the car right now. He just looked behind his shoulder and gave me a creepy smile."

"That's so scary Sylvia. Are you okay? What else did they do to you? Are you hurt?" I grab both her hands to console her.

She gulps and continues, now a few tears streaming down her face, "I was so scared Avalon. I thought I was going to get raped or something. They were big guys, I don't know why I was so stupid. To trust Logan or people I barely know. If it wasn't for Chasen . . ."

"If it wasn't for Chasen, what?" I admonish. 

"If it wasn't for Chasen," she starts again, "Something really awful could have happened. Chasen told the guys to cut it out when he realized what they were doing. Logan was razzing him telling him to let the guys have a little fun with me, but then Chasen grabbed the wheel and turned it toward the fields, he was pretty mad."

"Well, couldn't Chasen have caused a car accident?" I ask, bewildered.

"He could have," Sylvia confirms, "but that's what startled the boys and Logan, and got them to take him seriously and let me go. I literally walked home after that. We were halfway out of town."

"How far was it?" I asked. 

"A few miles," she says through another stream of tears.

I scoot closer to my friend, "Sylvia, I'm glad you're okay."

She mumbles into my shoulder tearfully, "Yeah, thanks to Chasen. I hope he's okay, too."

"He'll be fine.  It's you I'm worried about."

I envelop my friend in a hug and try to comfort her as best I can.