Crashing Into You

Chapter 1 - Crashing into You

Lauren

“Ok, we got Lisa’s present’s already,” I said, sighing with exhaustion, and turning to face Amy as we walked to the next store, “Do you have any Idea what Christina wants?”

“Nope” Amy said with an apologetic look on her face.

“Ugh, let’s just go get something to eat, I’m starving.” I groaned, walking a bit faster before crashing into someone and feeling their arms around me a second later.

“Are you ok?” The guy I walked into asked me.

“Yeah, I’m fine, but uh, you can let go now.” I said, glancing down at his arms and awkwardly smiling a half smile.

“Oh sorry.” They guy said before his friend walked up behind him and clapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey man, we’re all set, you ready to… holy crap” His friend said once he saw me.

“What is it?” The guy I bumped into asked.

“She… she looks exactly like Melanie.” His friend said, looking at me in disbelief.

“Uh yeah, We should probably go. Sorry for running into you.” I said, suddenly feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

“Wait,” The guy said as i started to walk away, “I heard you say you were hungry? ya know, before you bumped into me. Can I buy you two lunch?”

“I don’t think…” I started to say before his friend interrupted.

“Don’t worry, I’m not some weirdo, you just looked a lot like someone we used to know. It caught me off guard when I saw you. Sorry about that.” He explained.

“It’s fine,” I said, giving him a weak smile, “But I don’t even know your names?”

“Oh, yeah I can see how that can be awkward. I’m Chris, and my friend here is Elijah.” The guy that I bumped into replied, “You seem like a really nice girl, I just want to buy you lunch, thats all. No strings attached.”

“No strings attached?” I repeated, looking at him curiously.

“None, I just want 30 minutes of your life to get to know you a little better.” Chris said, pleading with me.

“Uh, give me and my sister a second ok?” I said, grabbing Amy’s arm and pulling her to the side. “What do you think?” I asked her.

“It’s up to you, he seem’s nice.” Amy said.

“He’s cute, and uh, it’s just one lunch right?” I asked her unsurely.

“Yes, and in a very public place, so again, its ok.” Amy said reassuringly.

“Ok,” I said, turning back to the guys, “Ok, fine. You can buy us lunch.”

“Alright, so where do you girls want to eat?” Chris said excitedly.

“Hmmm, I’m thinking subway?” I said, looking at Amy.

“I’m good with subway.” She said with a smile.

“So are you going to ask us our names? or do you two plan on referring to us as “those girls”?” I asked teasingly as we walked towards subway.

“Oh, um sorry, I um…” He said awkwardly, causing me to giggle.

“It’s fine, I’m Lauren, and this is my sister Amy.” I said, pulling Amy closer to me.

“Hmm, well it’s great to meet both of you,” Chris said, locking eyes with me for a brief second.

“Same here, sorry for bumping into you.” I said again, slightly embarrassed.

“Oh it’s fine, I’ve never had anyone quite as beautiful as you bump into me before. Believe me, I really don’t mind.” Chris said, which caused me to blush. God I hope he didn’t notice that.

“Well, I wouldn’t say never, I mean there was Melanie,” Elijah chimed in before Chris punched him in the arm. “Ow, what was that for?”

“You know what,” Chris said, rolling his eyes and looking at me apologetically.

“So umm, can I ask who this Melanie is?” I asked them curiously.

“It’s uh, that isn’t a “first date” kind of story,” Chris said, a glimmer of sadness creeping into his eyes.

“Oh ok, sorry for asking.” I said, feeling even more awkward than before.

“You apologize too much,” Chris said jokingly, “I just want to get to know you, and for you to get to know me without any of my emotional baggage.”

“Ok,” I said, sighing and looking down at the floor shyly.

“Sooo… what do you guys do for work?” Amy asked, breaking the awkward tension between me and Chris.

“Oh, we’re both currently unemployed,” Elijah answered cheerfully.

“Oh really know,” Amy asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at the two oddly.

“We’re Marines. We joined straight out of high school and served a few years over seas.” Chris explained. “We’ve been back a couple of months but after everything that happened over there, we’re just taking a little break from our adult lives.”

“Oh, ok” Amy said, “So what were your guys’ ranks?”

“Sergeant,” Chris said, a little proudly.

“Corporal,” Elijah said sheepishly.

“That’s only because our CO hated you,” Chris said jokingly. “So what about you girls? Any jobs or hobbies or boyfriends in the picture?”

“No boyfriends,” I said, “and as for our jobs and hobbies, our sisters and us are all pretty into singing.”

“Really? That’s awesome.” Elijah said, “So I’m guessing lunch isn’t enough to get you two to sing something for us?”

“Maybe. Maybe Not.” I said teasingly.

“Damn,” Elijah said before leaning in close to Amy and whispering something in her ear.

“Oh really now?” I heard Amy say as she looked at me and Chris and giggled.

“What’d he say?” I asked, slightly panicky and embarrassed.

“Nothing,” Amy said, still smiling and giggling lightly.

“Amy…” I said angrily.

“Nothing Laur, I swear,” Amy said putting her hands up defensively.

“Whatever,” I said, turning back to Chris, “So, do you have any hobbies?”

“I paint a little, and can do some carpentry.” He replied.

“Cool, so any chance I could see some of these paintings?” I asked.

“That would imply that there’s a second date somewhere in our future. Do you want a second date?” Chris asked with a smile on his face.

“I don’t know, maybe. Let’s just see how lunch goes for now.” I said, blushing a little and offering him a small smile.