All American Boys

Chapter 7: Lies Can Buy Eternity

"I didn't mean to disturb you," I began, trying my best not to sound too nervous despite my heart thumping loudly in my chest. "But I was wondering if it's okay if I joined you?"

The young man broke eye contact, letting his green eyes wander across the grass. Yet at the same time, he took his bag and placed it on the other side of him, so I took it as an invitation. Whatever it was, he didn't flinch or pack up when I sat beside him so I took it that I made the right choice.

"You come here a lot?" I asked, trying to break the tense atmosphere that had enveloped the both of us.

"Yeah," he replied, fidgeting with his fingers. "I come here sometimes."

"Gets a bit lonely here don't you think?" I said, taking out my lunchbox from my bag.

The young man merely grunted as I unwrapped my half-eaten sandwich. He didn't say anything for a while, and I didn't know what to say either. The fact that he didn't chase me off was good enough for me. I just ate there in silence as he sat there, the tip of his shoe tracing circles in the ground.

"I want to say that I'm really sorry," he finally said, breaking the silence. "I overreacted, and I shouldn't have said that. I-"

He seemed like he wanted to say more, but he just sighed, letting his shoulders fall.

"Look," he continued, burying his face in his palms. "I'm just really bad at apologies. I was an idiot. I'm sorry."

I looked at him, still unsure how to reply. My silence probably caused him to sit up and turn to me, looking at me with his sad green eyes.

"It's fine," I said to him. "I get it, you're angry. And we sometimes say things we don't mean."

I noticed the young man's lips curl up into a slight smile, before he turned away again.

"Oh, I got this for you," I said, remembering the canned coffee I had bought at the vending machine earlier. "Hope you're not allergic to coffee or anything."

The young man chuckled as he ran a palm through his hair, while his free hand grabbed the can from me.

"Thanks," he said, opening it.

"Coffee makes me happy," I told him. "Well, let's just say I didn't really know what else to get you from the vending machine."

I opened mine as well and watch him chug down the whole can, a few drips of the dark liquid falling from his lips and onto his jacket.

"Woah slow down," I said. "Not that fast."

"You said it makes you happy," he said with a smirk. "So you better drink yours up before I chug it down too."

"Well aren't you a bundle of joy," I said, taking a sip from my can.

"After what happened just now I sure need as much happiness as I can get," he said.

I noticed his eyes wander over to the field again.

"I'm kicked from the team," he told me.

"That's rough," I replied, not really knowing what to say. "It must be hard after you've worked so hard for it."

The young man scoffed.

I gulped. Maybe I said something wrong.

"Have you eaten?" I quickly cut in, changing the subject. "I haven't seen you eat anything."

"I uh," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "I forgot to pack this morning. Had to catch the bus."

"Oh," I said, looking down at my now-empty lunchbox in my lap.

I felt bad for not offering to share my lunch, when he clearly wasn't eating. But then again, what was I to share? A half-eaten turkey sandwich? I didn't have anything left to share with him, or did I?

"Actually," I said, reaching into my bag. "We could share this if you want."

I took out the container full of strawberry brownies and placed it on the empty space between us.

"You made these yourself?" he asked.

"Yeah," I blurted out. "Help yourself."

"Don't mind if I do," he said, as he picked up a piece with his fingers.

I felt bad for lying to him, but what could I say? If I told him it was Cyril who gave them to me, I was pretty sure he wasn't going to take it too well. He'd probably say that he'd rather starve.

There were twelve pieces - he wolved down four within seconds of each other.

"You want to know something?" Isaac said as his fingers picked up his fifth brownie.

"What?" I asked nibbling onto my first piece.

"I don't even like football," he said with a laugh. "It's a stupid game."

"Surprising to hear from the star quarterback and captain of the football team," I remarked.

"Oh come on," he said. "You don't have to flatter me. And I know I suck at the game."

"Fine," I said. "You do suck."

"Thanks for being honest," he replied. "At least you're being truthful about that."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Isaac was certainly unpredicable. One minute he was sulking, and now he seemed to want to play mind games with me.

"I'm not sure if I know what you're talking about," I replied, shaking my head.

"Well if that's the case," he said, standing up. "I don't have anything else to say. Thanks for the brownies by the way, they totally don't taste like the strawberry brownies from the pastry store down Ellesmere street. And they totally aren't from Cyril Crawford."

"Look, I'm sorry," I said. "It was a slip of the tongue. I just thought that if you knew they were from Cyril you wouldn't want them. I didn't want you to go hungry."

The young man sighed as he sat back beside me.

"Sorry if I'm being petty," he said as his shoulders fell. "I just- I'm just so sick and tired of being lied to."

"Believe me," I answered. "I didn't mean to lie to you."

The young man looked at me, cocking his head to the back. A small grin parted his thin lips, revealing his teeth.

"I might be the biggest idiot in the world for this," he replied. "But I think I do."

I felt relieved that he wasn't angry at me, even though I felt bad that I just didn't tell him straight up.

"So," I said as I placed the box of brownies away. "If you knew these were from Cyril, why did you still eat them anyway?"

"For one," he said, cracking his knuckles. "I was hungry. Secondly, if he gave them to you then I can be pretty sure they weren't poisoned. You wouldn't want the boy you like dead before you could tell him how you feel now, wouldn't you?"

"You really do dislike him don't you?" I said, rolling my eyes. "I just don't get it."

"Well, we didn't openly hate each other I guess," he chuckled. "But after he threw the first punch I guess it's official now."

"Cyril asked me to sit with him for lunch," I told him. "I wouldn't want to refuse that now, would I?"

"Looks like you've officially replaced my seat at the table," he said, playfully patting me on the back. "Congratulations, you've made it."

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh come on," I groaned. "I'm not that shallow. And besides, I don't think there's anything wrong in being friends with Cyril. And what's there to replace? It's not like you were friends with him in the first place."

"Oh I'm not saying you can't be friends with him," he said. "But I'm sure you realise a lot of people would love to be in your place. Just be careful, I guess."

I only nodded my head as I bit my lip.

"Anyway," I said. "How did you know the brownies were from Cyril?"

"You said you were at the lunch centre lunch table weren't you?" he remarked. "Then I guess you've met her."

"Shoshana?" I said. "The girl in the navy dress?"

Now that I thought about it, she did mention about Cyril talking about me yesterday. So she must've known.

"Mhmm," he replied. "She told me, and this morning I pretty much saw him giving it to you, so that confirms it."

And to think that I tried to lie to him about it. When he was right there watching me. How embarrassing.

"I'm really sorry about yesterday," I apologised once more. "I really was having a bad time and I uh- I forgot about the meeting."

"It's fine," he said. "We could always schedule it another time. Don't worry your pretty head about it."

"Actually," I replied. "I'm free after school today. I mean, if you're free we could. . ."

"I'd like that actually," he said, a smile crept on his lips. "Uh, your house?"

I actually had the tutoring room in mind, but I was fine with going back to my house too. Mom was working the day shift at the hospital, so there was no one. I didn't mind having someone else in that empty shell of a home.

"Sure," I replied. "That's perfect! What do you have after this?"

"Algebra," he answered as he looked down at his watch. "And look at the time, we really should start making our way."

"Right," I said, picking up my bag. "I have history, but we do end at the same time don't we?"

"Yeah," he replied. "So I'll meet you after class then?"

"Sure," I told him. "Should we get going?"

The young man shook his head as he stretched his hands in front of him.

"Nah I don't think I want to risk you being seen with me," he said. "Don't want to complicate things with you and Cyril."

"Thanks," I muttered under my breath. "Although there's really nothing between Cyril and I.

"Well, not yet," Isaac added with a teasing smirk. "But soon enough."

I only rolled my eyes as I folded my arms. I could protest as much as I want, but Isaac probably saw me as Cyril's boyfriend at this point. Shoshana probably already told him everything. But I knew just the thing to wipe that smug smile off his face.

I didn't know what came over me, or what drove me to be so bold, but I reached my finger out and swiped the strawberry cream off the corner of his mouth. I wiped the cream on my lips, smacking them as I tasted the sweetness.

"You're a real messy eater aren't you?" I said, tilting my head as I looked at him.

His face was beetroot, and he averted his gaze. I watched him bite down on his lip in embarrassment.

"Real funny," he muttered under his breath.

"Anyway," I told him. "I'll see you after class? I'd drive you home but I didn't drive to school today."

"We can always take the bus," he replied. "Where do you live again?"

"Beersheba street," I said. "It's quite near to the synagogue."

"Ah, the bus stops at Straight Street," he remarked, seemingly trying to remember the bus route from memory. "It isn't that far from the synagogue from there. Maybe about a ten minute walk?"

"Great," I told him. "For a minute I thought I might have to call an Uber."

"Well," he said. "I'll see you at the bus stop after school then. Just try not to forget this time. Heck, with my luck I'll be fortunate to not be stood up two times in a row."

"I'll be there," I reassured him.

With a curt wave, we parted, and I started to make my way towards the main building. I turned around, and he waved again, so I waved back. He smiled as he watched me, and I couldn't help but feel a warmth rush to my cheeks. Quickening my pace with every step, my heart raced like never before.

I wouldn't be able to fathom it the day before, and I hated to admit that I was wrong, but deep in my heart I actually looked forward to meeting him again.

Maybe, just maybe, I was wrong about Isaac after all.