His answer is pretty much the same as last time; a barely-there shake of the head. There is no acknowledgment or indication whatsoever that he saw me on the cameras.
Maybe I was wrong about them? Maybe they're just for show? Or maybe he just hasn't looked yet?
He picks up his items, and at the very last second, before he walks away, his eyes flick to mine for the briefest moment. It's the first time he's made eye contact. The first time I've seen his eyes, and I have to say, I'm a little thrown off.
They're stormy blue-gray wonders that kind of surprise you if you're not expecting them. And I really wasn't. It makes me wonder how I didn't notice them last time even though he wasn't looking right at me. I guess they were pretty hidden under his hood. But today he's only got on a ball cap.
It's pretty unfair that he'd be given such beautiful eyes. They're completely wasted on someone like him. His whole body is, really.
I watch as he walks toward his truck, frowning after him as if he'll be able to sense my disapproval of him. Once he gets to it, he pulls out a napkin and then uses it to open the door. That's so weird. He did that the last time as well. Maybe he's a germaphobe or something? But he touches things in here, and he handles money, so that doesn't really make sense. I hate to admit it, but it's just one more thing that has me curious about him.
When my shift ends, I agree to meet Tahnee at the juice stand in the middle of town. It's about a five-minute walk from the store. We've texted each other a few times back and forth over the past week, and she has come to visit me at the store as well.
About halfway through my walk, I hear the sound of crunching rocks right as someone pulls up beside me.
“Need a ride?”
I turn to see Grant leaning out of his car window, waiting for my reply.
“Oh. No, that's okay, thank you.”
“You sure? I'm heading in that direction.” He nods down the road ahead of us.
I could be heading in any number of directions, really. Still, it's nice of him to offer, and his smile is friendly this time, so I return one back.
“Thanks. But I like the exercise.”
“I can appreciate that.” He looks me up and down. “You're in fine shape either way, though.”
With that, he pulls back onto the road and drives off. I'm still not sure what to make of that guy. I keep forgetting to ask Jolene about him. Before I can think too much more about it, I spot Tahnee sitting on one of the picnic tables by the juice stand down the street.
Her bright red hair and bright white legs stand out against her surroundings, making me smile. Whether she's considered out thereor not, it's nice to have a truly genuine, and funny friend that doesn't want anything from me.
As soon as I'm a little closer and she sees me, she stands up and cups her hands around her mouth. “Hey, Sexy! Get that fine ass over here!”
Her words have me literally tripping over myself and falling to the ground. Actually, it was the big rock that I didn't see because I was busy chuckling at her silliness that had me tripping. Thankfully, I don't land on my face, but I do skid along on my hands and stomach.
I can hear Tahnee's “Oh my goodness,” followed by her laughter that she's clearly trying to contain. I laugh, too, despite being slightly embarrassed and the slight sting on my hands.
I look around the area while I'm still on the ground to see if anyone noticed me fall, and much to my dismay, I see a familiar truck close by and a pair of legs standing next to it. Attached to those legs is Jacob, of course, and he's wearing his usual scowl as he looks at me on the ground.
Any normal person would ask if I was okay or try to help me up. Not him, though. After another beat of him glowering at me, he pulls another napkin from his pocket and opens his truck door with it before getting in.
What is with the napkins all the time?
Tahnee arrives as I get to my feet and start dusting myself off.
“I'm so sorry,” she manages to get out between giggles.
“That's okay,” I answer, distracted.
When she notices me watching Jacob drive off and disappear around the corner, she nods. “Yeah. Don't ever expect any help from him. He doesn't do that sort of thing. Doesn't talk to anyone either, and that's just fine by us.”
For some reason, I actually feel sorry for him about that. It must be an incredibly lonely existence having no one to talk to.
I've kind of been in that situation for most of my life, except with me, it was just being surrounded by fakes; and parents who never had normal conversations with me, not living in a town full of people that hated me.
It has me wondering if his parents talk to him at all.
