"Hey, Charlotte!" Dustin says, "What's up? What's up?"
I press the phone anxiously close to my ears, whispering in a low and cautious voice.
"Where are you right now?"
There's a long pause before he jeers, "Why are you talking in such a low voice? Did Miss Perfect get into trouble?"
"Shut up!" I hiss as he laughs on the other side. "Just tell me where you are!"
"Calm down, dude." He answers, "It's Saturday afternoon. Where do you think I'm going to be? I'm at the mall, working in the café, obviously."
"Doesn't seem like you're working if you're talking to me, though." I point out.
"That's because YOU called, Charlie!" He gushes, "How could I ignore my best friend's call?"
I shake my head, as he laughs.
"Whatever. I called Sarah and she's heading to the mall too. So, I'll meet you two there."
"But why? What happened?" Dustin asks, sounding more serious.
"It's hard to explain. Meet you there."
Just as he's about to reply someone else yells out, "Brown! For the last time, just take the goddamn orders! Do you want me to fire you on your first week!?"
"Ugh. You should really pay more attention to your job."
Dustin laughs, "Says the girl who called me during work!"
"Dustin!" The voice shouts.
"Damn. Chill man, I'm-"
And just like that, he ends the call.
Well that's one way for a conversation to go I guess.
I stare out beyond the fields of crops and at the thick forest. Where I found the boy. I scratch at the back of my neck in agitation, the exact place where I saw his shuddering scar. My spine quivers at the thought.
Joey...
That's his name. But it isn't enough to know him.
And what kind of person just happens to faint in the middle of nowhere? How did he even end up there in the first place?
I don't even know how many times I asked myself that, but each time I think about it, the more curious I get of him. The more I want to know.
I scoff at the thought of actually going to the room he was in and ask him. As if I'd ever do that.
That's when I notice my head twitching with urgency, as if telling me something feels off. And no doubt something did.
Upon reflex, I looked up to see the boy, staring out of the window, leaning out in such a way that it seemed like he would fall the moment he realizes how far he was standing. His eyes took in the view, observing Jason and Dad working in the fields.
I scowl, half because of the sun shining in my face and half because of that boy.
I keep glaring as his eyes shift from the view towards my direction, till our eyes meet. I don't look away, as if standing my guard. As if i'll lose my pride if I look away. My skin burns with anger and confusion. I don't know why I feel this of course. But I don't hate it.
It seems like he feels the same hot pique feeling as he watches me back. And it feels like this competition may last for the whole eternity if one of us doesn't stop. But in a mere second is expression changes from contempt - for locking him up - to the pale face he had when he was unconscious. Except he wasn't unconscious. He was well and alive but very... pale.
Uneasy, he looks away, clenching his jaw. Probably realizing that he lost. As long as he stays here, he'll always lose.
I grin, as he walks away from the window.
I win.
*******************************************
Sara and I walk on the street, on our way to the mall. I met her a while ago, as she was on her way to the meet up with us just like I had asked. We walk side by side, quiet for some time. I wasn't in the mood to talk, considering the exhaustingly rough path down to town from my home and also the violent rush of thoughts in my head.
"So you still not gonna tell me why you called us?" Sara mumbles, not really looking interested, scrolling through her phone.
I raise my head towards the surprisingly clear sky for a winter morning. I close me eyes, trying to clear my mind but coming to no avail. After the mall, I'll go straight home and sleep. Try and dream away for a distraction. To forget the past few days, as if they never happened.
So that my damn head will stop aching.
"Well?" Sara pushes, eyes still glued on the screen as we continue walking.
I rub at my eyes, exhaustedly, "I'll tell you when we get there."
"Where?"
"To the mall, damn it." I hiss bitterly. "If you stop looking at your phone and pay more attention to the people around you then maybe you'd know."
She frowns, face flushed red, "Since when did you start being so rude? I only asked a question."
"Since when did you start asking so many questions?" I snap back, not holding back, "Go back to your texting."
Sara stops, "That's enough. I'm already troubled as it is. I don't need you lashing out on me as well."
I grit my teeth, but seeing the knives stabbing out of Sara's eyes made me look away. I've only ever seen her act like this once, and I don't ever want to see it again. One of the reason I didn't answer. The other reason is that Sara can't get mad about me being stupidly angry at her. Usually she stays quiet or calms me.
"I don't know why you asked us to come here and now I don't care what you wanna talk about." Sara scorns, spitting out venom. "I'm leaving."
I shake my head regretfully. I took my frustration for 'him' out on Sara.
"No, Sara, wait." I sigh. "Look I'm sor-"
Sara glares at me, and her eyes show that she won't be coming with me.
She opens her mouth to refuse, flatly when a voice interrupts us.
"Didn't expect to see this." Dustin says, "No, definitely didn't expect to see you two fighting."
I roll my eyes, "We're not fightin-"
"I feel like Sara would say otherwise." Dustin smirks at her, crossing his arms, "And as much I love to hear what you girls were bickering about, I'd prefer if we get going so Charlie can tell us what she wants to. Also whatever happened between you two, I'd like it if you end it so that we can eat in peace."
I stare at Dustin with wide eyes. Dumb-founded.
For the first time in our friendship, I feel like Dustin is the one acting like the better grown-up.
I draw in a breath, daring myself to look towards Sara.
Her eyes burn with something like detest. Something I never saw in her for me.
We've fought a lot of times... but we always make amends the next second.
The glistening fury stays in her eyes for a while before it vanishes as quick as it had appeared.
She smiles. Like she never had that look to begin with.
"Come on, Dustin, you know we don't fight serious." She grins.
Which seems even more strange cause she never replies to Dustin without a hint of sarcasm.
But Dustin doesn't notice, his toothy smile plastered on his face like always as he exclaims, "Good! Then let's go!"
I follow the two, my thoughts now shifting towards Sara. My mind now suspiciously cautious in front of her. But I do my best to shake it off. With all the stress in my mind, I must have imagined it.