Unexpected--Part 3

Welcome to Fiction Friday. It's the day when we share portions of our current Works in Progress, or various short stories we've written; always great fun and incredible works. Join in the fun this week as Rick (Hoomi) Higginson hosts over at his blog Pod Tales and Ponderings . Be sure to leave a link to your own great fiction.

Unexpected, Part 1
Unexpected, Part 2



Chapter 3

Over the weeks that followed, Ben accompanied Alex less to the library. He set his books on the table and sat. She looked up briefly, “Where’s Ben?”

“He said he had other plans today.”

“Suddenly you don’t need a bodyguard?”

“Apparently not...” He sniggered. “I think he likes you, but you aren’t giving him any encouragement.”

“I’m not here to find a guy.” She frowned. “It’s time to study Spiderman.”

Alex rather liked it. They never talked, so meeting at the library wasn’t arranged, but Jenna always seemed to be there when he arrived. Her nose pointed toward a page in a book, pen in one hand and page turned with the other.

Finding it increasingly difficult to study he attempted to begin a conversation with her.

“Shhh…” she held up a finger, “study Spiderman.”

“I can’t concentrate.” He reached over and placed a hand on her page, forcing her to look up. “Go get a coffee with me.”

“I have an exam tomorrow.”

“I’ll help you study after. Come on. We won’t be long. I just need air and want some company.”

“Will you promise to leave me alone?”

“Definitely.” NOT he finished silently. He was finding he liked her presence. She was young, gorgeous, and yet not out partying with all the other students on the weekends.

Her brow scrunched as she stared at him. He wondered what she could be thinking. Perhaps the perfect way to say, “not on your life buddy.” He didn’t realize he’d quit breathing until she answered and he expelled his breath.

“Ok, but not for long. I really have to do well on this exam.”

“Deal.” He shoved his book back in his bag and watched her do the same then they walked together in silence to the nearest Starbucks coffee shop off campus.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed she was having little trouble keeping pace with him. “I’m impressed.”

“With what?”

“Ben’s usually panting by now and you’re no taller than he is.” he chuckled. She matched him stride for stride.

“Didn’t you know, to be a spider-wrangler, one must be able to chase locomotives without breaking a sweat?”

He shook his head and laughed. “No I did not know that.”

“You should look it up, Spiderman.”

“Indeed.” They approached the coffee shop and he grabbed the door, holding it open as she entered.

She brushed past him, “Thank you,” and headed for the line at the counter.

Alex caught himself wondering what her hair felt like as he stood behind her in line. He believed he was picking up on some sweet aroma coming from her. “Jenna?” his voice went strangely hoarse.

She half turned toward him, “What?”

Clearing his throat he began again, “Did you wash your hair in flowers or something?”

“No, I bathed in it. Lilac…something.” She grinned, “It helps with spider-wrangling.”

“Aaah, I see.” They reached the counter, “Well, you better let me buy your drink.” When she opened her mouth to protest he continued, “Consider it partial payment for chasing away the spiders, hmm…”

The barista took their order and they moved to the other end to receive their coffees. She double sleeved her cup and explained, “These cups can get so hot sometimes.”

“I can understand that, but what’s the purpose of lining up all the seams?” he eyed her with amusement.

She looked at her cup then up at him, laughing, “Habit. I like everything to line up, nice and neat.”

Unable to locate a table to sit at, he suggested, “Why don’t we take a walk. I did say I wanted air, didn’t I?”

“Yes you did.” She led the way out of the store and headed up the path toward the river that ran through campus.

Under a foot-bridge was a park bench that had apparently gone unnoticed by other students. Alex had walked by this bridge for over two years and never noticed this little secluded spot by the river. Jenna aimed for it and settled her bag by her feet as she sat. He followed suit.

“Where’d you find this bench? I’ve been here two years and haven’t seen it.” The benches size provided little room for both of them. He leaned forward to watch the ducks swimming upstream then realized sitting so close to her was thoroughly destroying his concentration.

“I come here all the time. It was the first place I found when I got on campus. Everyone’s got to have a thinking spot.”

“A thinking spot?” He jumped up from the bench and settled himself in the grass, staring out over the river.

“Are you alright Spiderman?”

Glancing back over his shoulder he asked, “I’ve been meaning to ask, why do you keep calling me that?”

“Does it bother you?”

He shrugged. “I’m curious.”

She slid off the bench and sat, legs stretched out in front of her, ankles crossed. Holding the cup of coffee in her hands, she giggled. “Everyone I know, which isn’t very many people, remember that I practically grew up on my grandma’s farm. I’ve never had anyone try to frighten me with a spider story.”

He laughed. “That makes sense, some.”

“You aren’t seriously afraid of them, are you?”

“Not afraid…I just can’t stand them.” He looked over at her. “Tell me, why aren’t you chasing the party scene like other kids your age?”

“I didn’t come here for that.” She twisted her cup until the hole faced her then took a drink of the warm liquid. “If possible, I’m going to finish school early, get a job, and buy a house somewhere in the country.”

“What, no social life?”

“A social life can wait. Is there something wrong with that?”

“Of course there is, haven’t you heard…”

“What, are there spiders involved?” she laughed.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he laid onto his back and stared into the sky. “Seriously, all work or study and no life is a horrible way to exist.”

“Are you talking from experience?”

“Maybe.” He closed his eyes. How was it that Ben could badger him about his life and irritate him, but this girl seemed to pull it from him without trying.

“So, you’ve been here two years. This is your third year?”

He nodded.

“So you’re a junior.”

“No.”

“Senior?”

“No.”

“Ok, tell me.”

“First year medical student.”

“How’d you do that?” she whistled. “What’d you do, start college in kindergarten?”

“Close…I was sixteen, a sophomore in high school.”

“So you went to college and high school?”

“It’s ok that you think I’m crazy. Ben does too.”

“Well, that all depends on your reasons. Was it that high school wasn’t challenging enough? Were you running away from something? Or you are insane.”

“Yes.” He chuckled.

“Which one?”

He met her gaze. “Which would you think?”

For a minute she stared into his eyes and scrunched her brow. “I would say you’re running away from something.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You don’t have a life. I heard Ben accuse you of running at a suicidal pace. You’re what, twenty, and already in med school? And your eyes tell me you’ve been terribly hurt and are doing all this to protect yourself.” She clucked her tongue, “What I don’t understand is why you are talking to me right now. Why suddenly do you want to go out for coffee? And why did Ben seem so surprised when you decided not to fight for your spot in the library?”

“You see all that, just looking into my eyes?”

“Yes, and no… if you remember, you’ve been sitting at my table in the library for weeks every Saturday and Sunday.” She drew her knees up to her chin and rested her cheek on top.

“I thought you were studying.”

“Haven’t you heard mister medical student that one should look up every so often to give their eyes a break from reading?” She peeked into the hole of her cup. “Well, my coffee is gone, and I still have an exam tomorrow.” Pushing to her feet, she grabbed her backpack. “Thank you for the coffee.”

He was on his feet falling into step with her as she strode away. He turned his face to the descending sun, “The days are beginning to get shorter already.”

“Mmmm…” her face aimed to the ground.

Alex turned to walk backwards in front of her. He had a strange feeling that she might be making this their last conversation and it bothered him. “I promised I’d help. Do you want to meet back in the library?”

Her pace slowed then came to a stop. Slowly she lifted her gaze to his, “Thank you again for the break, but I think I better head back to my place. Good-night Spiderman.” She turned a corner and walked away from him.


Chapter 4

Alex shluffed leaves with his feet as he hung out by the riverbank. That face, creamy beige, so soft looking, the eyes unbelievably large and stunning framed by those glasses that insist on sliding down her nose. He’d never seen anything like them. He thought he’d even seen flecks of gold spark there as she stared into his eyes. He never did find out what that scent was, but it tantalized his senses, beckoning him to come closer lose himself in her delightful fragrance.

If her beauty ended there, it would have sufficed. But she began to talk, letting him know she was far deeper than anyone he’d ever met. How she could see past his masks to the hurt that certainly hid inside? But she had nailed him.

The sun finally dropped beneath the horizon. Alex looked at his watch: seven o’clock. Yep, you better head home too, Kendall.

“Did you have a good study time?” Ben didn’t bother to look up from his books when Alex walked in. He’d seemed bothered since the day they met Jenna. Alex was sure it was that Ben liked her and she barely looked his direction.

“Productive…no.” He tossed his book bag onto his bed. “Did you get much accomplished this afternoon?”

“Yeah actually. I decided to show up at the library and you weren’t there. Did you finally decide that living was more attractive than studying and working all the time?” Ben looked up, a mixture of irritation and amusement settled into his features.

“So the babysitter’s back?” Alex fell into a chair in the corner of their apartment. “I couldn’t focus so I went for coffee and I convinced Jenna to go along.”

“Alex,” Ben leveled his gaze on Alex. “Don’t toy with her.”

The accusation annoyed Alex. Although he had broken hearts before, this one was different. He felt it. She probably doesn’t even like me. “Ben, it was coffee and a walk to the river.”

“Maybe so, but I think she likes you.” He spoke slowly as though choosing his words carefully.

“You’re nuts. She thinks I’m an idiot who’s running away from something.”

“What gives you that idea?”

“Well for starters, she keeps calling me Spiderman.”

Ben laughed, “Spiderman? Alex, she likes you. Be careful with her.”

“You think calling me Spiderman means she likes me? You’re cracked in the skull Benjamin.”

Ben picked up his cell phone and punched a few numbers. He waited then, “Hey Mom…I’m good, and you? May I talk to Shannon? Thank you…” after a couple minutes he smiled, “Hi Shannon. Alex has a question for you.” He handed the phone to Alex. “Ask her who Spiderman is.”

Shannon was Ben’s younger sister. Alex knew this girl had a crush on him since he was twelve. She was nine at the time and he was not interested. “It would be too weird.” He told Ben several times. To be dating his best friend’s sister? No thank you. She was sweet, but ‘sister-sweet’ not the kind he wanted to be kissing.

“Hey Shannon, Ben told me I ought to ask you who Spiderman is.” He fell silent as she squealed and carried on about this guy in a bright red and blue leotard and face mask.

“But it’s not Spiderman really that’s so great. It’s Peter Parker.”

“Who is he?” Alex was bewildered.

“Alex, get your head out of the sand. Peter Parker is Spiderman. He is the sweetest, handsomest guy at the Daily Planet!”

“I see.” He shrugged at Ben. “Thank you Shannon. I’m going to let you talk to Ben now.” Then he handed the phone back to Ben.

Ben hung up and spun his chair around, “So what did she say?”

“She said I ought to get my head out of the sand.”

“She’s right you know.” He frowned. “What are you going to do about Jenna?”

“Why don’t you ask her out Ben?”

“Because she doesn’t even know I exist.”

“Sure she does. She asked why you don’t come with me any more.” He knew Ben was concerned with his ‘be careful’ speech. Given that she was incredibly attractive, he made up his mind. “Ok, so what I will do for now is nothing. I’m telling you, she thinks I’m an idiot, so you are wrong about her.”

Ben snickered, “I have some studying to get done.” And turned back to his desk.

To be continued...

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