STRONGER ( RICK TYLER STAR GIRL)

CHAPTER 2: THE MYSTERIOUS TOWN REBEL AND THE MYSTERY OF THE DESROYED SCHOOL SIGN

He spoke in a reserved and no nonsense tone that took me aback , but I kept a positive stance and held my ground as I contemplated my next response to the boy.

"I'm curious about you" I said telling the truth as I put Celeste down on the ground behind the bleachers of the football field, he almost looked bewildered but then turned back to his original expression.

"Bullshit." He just said and with that be lit up a cigarette, clearing my throat I said the only thing I could think of at the moment.

"Nicotine is a terrible addiction you should try chocolate instead," he looked weary at my response but never faltered which could count for something he just stood there and then Celeste came by him.

I immediately got frightened " you shouldn't touch her you know she already tried to bite Beth".  Then I saw something that I couldn't believe , Celeste actually liked being petted by the boy even going as far as purring by his gentle touch.

I looked shocked " well that's a first, she usually doesn't like anyone except me." The boy looked shocked at what I just told him but it was entirely true Celeste ever since my parents had gotten her when I was born was attached to my hip and to be honest I didn't care.

I then remembered what I was here for." I'm here to apologize for yesterday I hope I didn't cause any trouble between you and your father ".
The boy looked sort of sad at the statement but it was true I was genuinely apologizing ,  had  he never heard that before ?" The boy gruffly spoke saying , "No one's ever apologized to me before ever". In all my years I've never felt sadder for the boy in that moment Cindy and everyone else probably judged him in this town by his horrible father and he truly was nothing like him yeah a little misguided. But not all bad I then saw the boy the town Blue Valley didn't see if only just for a moment.

He then went back to the way he was and I realized I didn't get his name at least the name he's actually called , " How dumb of me I didn't get your name at all since we've interacted quite a few times , you also did save me. He then looked shocked again as if I just told him I discovered chocolate "I'm Rick .
says then adds "Harris , Rick Harris. I then put out my hand and he looks wearily at it but I continue on.

"Nice to meet you Rick Harris I'm Penelope-Scarlet Kensington, I just moved here from California and my first day has been an interesting one for sure."

"Are you going to join cheerleading "? he asks and I couldn't mask the tone as to why he would ask he then goes to speak again and adding, "I heard Cindy trying to recruit you and the other new girl Courtney." I then put all the pieces together.

He overhead a conversation of theirs no doubt in one of his classes and I said something that earned a grin from the pocket knife carving rebel.

"I'll join them when hell freezes over."

The next few minutes remaining of lunch we just hid and he stopped smoking and I let him try one of my famous chocolate brownies I had stashed and baked from yesterday when I got home.

I think I turned Rick Harris into a chocolaholic which could be a good thing and Celeste sitting by his feet of his dirt worn out sneakers.

I learned two things about Rick Harris he was exceptionally good at math and science when he actually tried even no one believed in him, he also loved cars especially this yellow "66 mustang he's been working on and by the way he talked about it must be a passion project for him to finish.

And I just listened as he kept going on and on and I realized I could listen to him all day as we ate brownies and it was just the two of us in the world.