Chapter 4

When I reached Adrian’s things were already set up. The couch was pushed out of the way blankets in its place. After three movies I stretched yawning as I looked at the clock. It was two in the morning. Adrian and Grace had fallen asleep but I found my self unable to do the same becoming more restless with each second. I took the small blanket I was using wrapping it around myself so that I was still able to walk. I left the house undetected. Adrian’s house was half a block from the park so I went over to a swing. I sat for bit just looking up at the bright heavenly stars.

“Hey” I heard a chuckle from behind me I jumped nearly falling out of the swing. I turned to find Laurence.

“You scared me” I sighed relief.

“Sorry bout that” he laughed again than just looked at me.

“What?” I asked, wondering if I had a piece of popcorn stuck in my teeth or something of that sort.
“I was just thinking back to when we were little” he sighed and looked away.

“That seems like a century ago” I smiled though I am sure he couldn’t tell in the darkness, still he laughed.

“You say the funniest things” he said recovering from his laughter. I wasn’t sure what I had said but as I looked at him a question became present in my mind.

“What brings you here on a Friday night?” I asked admittedly a bit random but that is how I tended to be.

“Needed out of the house, I can’t stand listening to my parents argue” his voice was hard. I wondered where the sadness was.

“I’m sorry. I remember when we were younger your dad would take us, just us two for ice cream” I laughed at the memory. I couldn’t think of anything else to say in regards to his parents. When I knew him his parents were still crazy in love. He laughed a little.

“Chocolate chip with a cherry, and you could tie the stem in knot with your tongue” I could hear the edge to this happy memory. I was surprised he remembered exactly what I ordered.

“I don’t understand I remember them so differently” I mused than realized this was none of my business. “Oh sorry” I whispered.

“It’s okay sometimes I forget what it was like before my mom got sick” he sighed. I was shocked I had no idea his mom was ill.

“I…” I had no words.

“It’s okay I don’t blame you for not knowing no one does and you and I haven’t spoken in years” I could hear the smile in his voice. He had grown up so much.

“Not even Marcie?” I was taken aback. “Sorry the filter between my mouth and my brain seems to be malfunctioning due to a lack of sleep” I muttered. Laurence laughed so hard he snorted. Here I was under the impression I wasn’t funny. Once he was able to speak again he responded.

“No” was all he said and I was about to accept that as his entire answer when he began to talk again. “I almost told her today in the park, but we decided to take a break instead” than he laughed this was a dark hollow laugh nothing like before. I looked over at him now. His face contorted in some type of snarl. “Just for the record I have missed you” he said I took in a gulp of fresh night air.

“I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed you as well” I said speaking honestly a grin appeared on his face.

“So how has high school been treating you?” he asked sounding genuine. I thought a moment before I answered.

“Well I suppose. I have great friends my parents are happy and well. My sister is learning and I am…” I could not say because I discovered I was not sure exactly how I was.

“You?” he questioned with eye brows raised.

“I don’t know” I sighed. He looked at me before speaking.

“So the girl with eloquence is at a loss of words?” he smirked. I nodded no, not letting him have the satisfaction of correct assumption. “No? than what is it?” he asked.

“Merely lost in translation” Now I was the one smirking.

“What happened to us B?” he asked his tone suggested regret.

“Life, dealing with it in our ways” My voice was sad now too.

“We used to be great together you and I inseparable” he muttered.

“I remember it was nice” I felt myself smile.

“If I could take time back…” he trailed off.

“Would you really do it different?” I wondered aloud he was quiet this time. “Would you have chosen to spend Saturday nights watching movies with me instead of partying with your team mates?” I asked curiously.

“I …” he started but he was being honest tonight why change that now “maybe not, but I didn’t realize what I was losing” he said with the sad tone I had been expecting to find when he talked about his parents.

“I assumed you had found someone else to confide in” I felt guilty now as if I had given up on him when I should have tried harder.

“I would have made it seem that way” he laughed “but really it’s a big load of crap” he left it at that. “I saw you running in the park yesterday” Laurence looked at me “I didn’t know you still ran” I could hear a grin in his voice.

“Of course” I laughed “Every Saturday” my tone was wistful. An idea came out of my mouth before I could stop it, damn filter. “You should come next weekend” I blurted out. I stayed silent blushing and glad he couldn’t see it.

“Don’t be embarrassed” he laughed maybe he could see my blush “I like that idea” his light airy voice relaxed my tense muscles.

“Me too, but I should go back before Adrian or Grace catch me missing” I smiled.

“Right that wouldn’t be good than you would have to explain why you snuck out just to see me” Laurence laughed at his joke.

“No you would have to explain why you kidnapped me.” I stood up to leave “night Lance” I called him something I hadn’t thought of him as for years. When we met Laurence was particularly hard for me to pronounce so I decided he would hence forth be named Lance.

“I have missed you, night B” he said.