The Strongest Stone

Chapter Five

When I walked back inside Ana was sitting on the couch again.

“So, took my advice did you?” She spoke with a smug smile on her face.

“You were right. He just wants to help, and we need help. He's a good friend.”

Ana clicked her tongue and shook her head. “You may be older than me. But you know so little about boys.”

I frowned, I had no idea what she meant, but I wasn't about to admit that and prove her right.

“I know plenty.” I said

“Right, so when he kissed you last night, it was just a peck on the lips, bodies far apart.” She lifted her hands up and pressed the tips of her fingers together, but the rest of her hands were far apart. “Or, did he hold you close.” Her hands and fingers were now tightly together, her fingers entwined.

“I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. People kiss like that all the time, and sometimes it doesn't mean anything at all.” I shrugged. It was true too, at college I'd constantly seen the beginning of random hook ups as I would head back to my dorm after studying at the library. Then the next week it would be the same kind of kiss, with a completely different person.

“Yes, that’s true. But don't you think that a friend kissing you like that is something different?” She protested.

“Ana, he's never once said he has any sort of feelings for me. He knows I had a crush on him for a while, so why wouldn't he just tell me if he had any sort of feelings like that.”

Ana went to speak but I held my hand up.

“I don't want to talk about this anymore, I have to focus on you guys. I don't have time for a romance, especially not with the one person I need to rely on for help.”

I ran up stairs before she could say anything else and flopped on my bed. I could smell Lucas on me and it was intoxicating. I couldn't focus. I stood up and walked over to my drawers. A picture of me and Lucas on the Ferris wheel at the carnival was there. It was obvious to me now how bad I'd had it. My eyes were locked on him, and you practically see the hearts beaming out at him. It was tragic, just as tragic as it was now.

I had to wash away his smell and the residual feelings I was having. It wasn't worth everything I'd risk.

After I showered I spent the day with the kids. Around 3pm Malachi called and said that he'd put the case forward, and because of my age they wanted to ensure I was capable of raising my siblings before any kind of custody hearing. I'd been granted interim guardianship, but a social worker would make several unannounced visits over 3 months to check on things. It was the best outcome I could hope for right now.

Lucas came around shortly after and this time he was dressed thankfully. Cassie and Alfie jumped on him as soon as he walked in the door. It helped ease the awkwardness I was feeling, because I didn't have to look at him in the eye. I slipped out the door soon after and took Lucas' car to my new job.

I recognized the diner as soon as I pulled up. A couple of years ago it had been a pizza place. I'd eaten there once, with Lucas after a night of listening to music.

I walked up to the counter and waited.

“Hello miss, how can I help?” An older woman in a red 50's waitress dress held a pad of paper and pen ready to take my order. I shook my head and smiled.

“I'm here to work. Uh Eric called me to start the night shift.”

The woman's eyes widened and she looked my up and down disapprovingly. I was hardly the epitome of a 50's girl. In fact, I probably looked more like a 90's nerd.