Him

Chapter Seven

When I woke up this morning, No one was there. I was used to this. It was 7:30. I grabbed my stuff and went downstairs to thank Lynn for her kindness. I wanted to see Dylan but I couldn't find him.

I saw Lynn behind the counter, she was completely swamped. Still seeing me there, she pulled someone over to deal with the line of people waiting and walked over to me.

"Hey. Um I see that your really busy, so I just wanted to say thank you for letting me crash here. I really appreciate it." I said quickly, while stealing glances at the increasing line.

"Of course hun. Stop looking at the line and follow me. I want to talk to you for a minute." She said and walked into the back. I was confused, but mostly concerned.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked quietly.

"I wanted to thank you for helping Dylan. I know your a sweet kid. I also know that Dylan is a sweet kid, but you both have a lot going on. Dylan has problems, more than I probably know about. I hate it but hell, I am not his mother. I don't know what is going on between you two, but I need to know. What are your intentions?" Lynn asked me.So Dylan told her I helped him? I could see she was in a hard place. A place between love and fear.

I was shocked. I didn't know how to answer her. I realized she cared deeply about Dylan and was going to be as direct as anyone.

"Umm, I don't know what your asking me." I said quietly.

"Do you like my nephew?" Lynn insisted with a slight smirk appearing at corners of her mouth. It seemed like she already knew the answer, but I didn't.

"I met your nephew two days ago. I don't know your nephew. I can't answer you." I said slowly, watching her face waver slightly. she didn't like my answer, but accepted it.

"Look, thank you for everything, but I need to get to school." I said quickly and walked outside.

During lunch:

"Where were you this morning?" Becca asked me. Shit! I didn't even think about this!

"Um I went a different way." I said quietly eating my sandwich.

"Why?" She asked.

"I felt like it." I answered. Lie! Lie! More Lies!

"And you didn't tell me because?" She said slowly getting annoyed.

"I forgot." I said, looking down.

"Ok. I am going to need more than two word answers." she said raising her voice a bit.

"Hey, what's going on?" Jerry asked as he came to our table.

"You two made up?" I asked, just to change the subject.

"Yes. we did. I went to his house because when we were at the party, Jerry was drunk. I talked to him later that night and explained everything. He knows I really like him and I was just scared." Becca whispered quietly. The thing about her is that if she has something to say, she will say it. If you ask her about big news she will tell you even if you just had a huge fight.

"I am happy for you. You took my advice." I said in a whisper. she turned around and swiftly said,

"Ok then take my advice and become a better friend." And turned back to Jerry.

"I have a right to keep things from you. For your own good and for my privacy." I said starting to feel annoyed. she knows that I am very private. She noticed a change when my mother passed and adjusted ever since.

Jerry looked at me for a moment with curiosity in his eyes.

"Not when you leave me sitting somewhere waiting for you like an idiot and almost being late for school." she yelled. I was shocked for a moment. She was always so calm to me and if she was angry she never said anything to me, afraid she would blow up in my face. This was the first time she really pressed an argument, but I had been a bitch.

"Girls calm down. She doesn't need to tell you if she doesn't want to." Jerry said calmly. I smiled and mouthed 'thank-you' to him while Becca glared at us. She stood up and turned to leave, saying nothing as she glowered away.

"Babe, wait." Jerry said and started to go after her.

" Leave her. She will come back. Besides all you will do is fight. Sometime it's better to let someone go for a while. Let her calm down." I said grabbing his arm and explaining.

He stared off at her and then sat down. I then realized the situation I caused for myself. I have never been alone with Jerry before. It was far from what I thought though.

We started talking about teachers and school work. He is always straight A student like me. Becca liked school but she never gets anything done, considering her home life, it made since.

I started asking him how he feels about Becca and his answers were quite interesting.

" Well, let's just say I knew what I was getting into. I act like I don't, but I do. I saw how she acted around other guys and everyone thought I was going to sleep with her and then leave, but I didn't. I liked her and I knew there was more to her. I also liked the fact that no matter how messed up she was, no matter what happened in her life, she never cheated."
Jerry said slowly.

I was confused but also impressed. I hadn't expected this much from him. I also didn't understand why he would notice such things about her before he dated her.

" Wow. By the way, I don't think she will ever cheat on anyone." I said slowly and when he looked confused I elaborated.

" Her mother messed her up. Cheated. Used people. She is apparently a-" I stopped in my tracks.

What was I doing?? About to tell her boyfriend her secrets. She should be telling him not me, not that she knows. I assume her mother keeps it from her or they don't interact.

"Her mother was a ?" He asked me, seeming more confused now.

" Nevermind. I shouldn't tell you this. It's not my place." I said and went back to eating. He was looking at me the whole time, the same curiosity in his eyes again. I saw him looking at my clothes for a moment, when I realized I had the same outfit on. This happened often, when I stayed overnight at the park. I normally had a change of clothes or a sweatshirt to hide this fact, but today I didn't have anything. I was suddenly worried he would say something.

Before He could ask the question, Randy came over with his friend and threw a ball at Jerry's head. I was silently thanking him for saving me.

Jerry ducked and glared at them.I expected them to leave, but they didn't. I was suddenly annoyed that people could be so rude.

I turned around and gave them a death stare. But all Randy did was smirk, and I should have known what was coming.