Always Adam

Chapter 15

Olivia insists on getting pictures with me and my new friends. Teddy's friends show up and Ted leaves to follow along with them while they trick or treat. Olivia begs me to take her just around our neighborhood before I leave and I agree. "I'll bring her back once we finish our street," I tell Donna. She nods and Olivia grabs my hand pulling me out the door. My friends decide to follow us. They hang back and wait while we stop by each house. The neighbors that know me are excited to see me. I stop when we reach Mike's house. He's outside on the porch handing out candy. I haven't seen him since he told me to go. I stand there thinking about telling Olivia to go up by herself.

Instead, I walk up with her. My friends stand watching us. We reach the porch and Olivia practically pulls me up. I don't want to talk to him. He says something to Olivia, but I don't hear what. I'm busy trying to calm myself down. Seeing him brings tears to my eyes. I'm glad it's dark and his porch light isn't very bright. I can see him looking at me. His eyes travel from my black skinny jeans up to the tight black t-shirt I'm wearing. Olivia lets go of my hand and runs off towards my friends.

I turn to go. "Carly wait," he says softly. I'm not sure I even heard him. I turn and look at him. I can feel his eyes boring into mine with intensity I had never felt from him before. "I have to go Mike. My friends are waiting and we have plans," I say hurrying away before he can say another word to me. I want to look back, but I don't. I want to know what he wanted to say, but then again I don't. I realize his hurtful words are still too fresh.

I take Olivia's hand and we hurry to the next house. Donnie is close by my side. Nat jumps on Adam's back and he carries her to the next house. You can hear my friends laughing loudly. When we get back to the house, Olivia says to me "he's asks about you." I look down at her. "Who," I ask confused. "Mike. He asks me about you. I don't know anything to tell him though. I tell him we don't see or hear from you anymore," she says sadly. I bend down and hug her. "I'm sorry Olivia. I promise to call and come see you more. I've just been busy adjusting to my new place." I feel like a total shit. She hugs me back and asks "promise." I pinky swear to her.

I want to tell Olivia when or if Mike asks her about me to tell him where to go, but I don't. I hug her and Donna goodbye. Yes I hugged Donna to. I thank her for the dinner. She tells me to please come to dinner on Sunday's. She even tells me I can bring my friends if I want. We pile into my car where Donnie is pissed to find Nat beat him to the front seat. I laugh to myself. We make the forty five minute drive to Fright House. The line is long. We stand in line for over an hour just to get inside.

Once inside we pay and wait till it's our turn to go through the haunted house. "Don't be afraid to grab on to me if you feel scared," Donnie whispers in my ear. "These things never scare me," I tell him. He's standing behind me so close if I leaned back just a hair I would be on his chest. I look over at Adam. He's talking to Nat, but for a brief second I think I caught him watching me. I wonder if what Donna said could be true. I wonder if Adam watches me when I'm not looking. The thought thrills me.

We make it through the haunted house in one piece. Actually me, Nat and Ava are cracking up by the time we exit. "What good is a haunted house if it's not scary enough to have girls hanging on you," Donnie complains as we walk back to the car. This time he makes sure he gets the front seat again. I turn to Adam and say "Hey do you mind driving back. I want to chill with Ava and Nat," I tell him. "Um... sure, " he says hoping out and opening my door for me. I climb out and mouth a "thanks" to him. "Let me know if you need directions," I say as I climb in back and close the door.

The three of us goof around in back. I hope I wasn't too obvious with asking Adam to drive. I just didn't want Donnie making any moves. I knew at some point I was going to have to tell him I was only interested in him as a friend, but I was worried it would piss him off. I needed all my new friends. I didn't want to alienate even one of them. I really did like Donnie, but I knew he liked me more. I remember Julie's mom once telling us. "Always be sure to find a man who loves you more than you love him. That is the key to a good relationship." I wasn't sure I agreed. I wanted someone I was head over heels for. Someone who made me feel weak in the knees every time he was near. My gaze falls on Adam.