(song: "I walk the line" - Hasley)

I couldn't believe I was actually back in front of Patrick Henry's house again, but there I was.

     It looked different in the daylight than it had during the night of the party. It was located in the "Celestial Cove Community", a fancy name for a community south-west of Las Vegas where the homes started at three-hundred-thousand-dollars and went up as much as a million. Three of the homes on the street were up for sale due to the state of the economy, but not the Henry's. That definitely said something about them.

     I had convinced myself that I was going to be moral support for Selena. I was not going to talk to Patrick. I'd even asked Selena to specifically text Easton and let us know a time Patrick wouldn't be home because of track meet-up.

     "I hate this, I'm nervous," Selena said with a shiver.

     She held up her hands to show just how much her fingers were trembling. "I've never done anything like this before, it feels like I'm cheating on Jon."

     "Listen to me, you aren't cheating on Jon. You are going to talk with Easton and if you feel something there, you are going to break-up with Jon." I had to remind and re-emphasize to her the importance that she broke up with Jon. Of course, my reasons for wanting the break-up were selfish, but still.

     Selena shook. "But this feels like a big mistake. Jon is loyal, he'd be with me probably for the rest of our lives. Do I really want to risk losing that over something or someone that's a total anomaly to me?"

     "Your relationship with him is like an inflatable tube in a swimming pool. You're just too scared to try to swim." I pulled on Selena's arm to drag her along the path towards the front door.

     Selena's fingers tried to pry my hand loose, "You know I like inflatable tubes! That's a horrible example because you know that I can't swim!"

     I ignored her, pressed on the doorbell and pushed Selena right in front of it. The door flew open quickly, as if someone was already waiting at there. It opened so fast that Selena bumped right into Easton.

     Selena's eyes lifted up to look at him with pure embarrassment.

     "I am so sorry!" Selena quickly apologized and sprung back from him.

     "I was wondering when you were going to ring the bell. Looked like the two of you were having some sort of disagreement out here," he said with a level of concern.

     Easton's smile and disposition were just as shockingly easy as Patrick's was. How did I not notice the resemblance before?

     "No disagreement, she's just shy," I explained. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside I was doing cart-wheels. Jon was so getting  dumped. I could feel it.

     Easton stood to the side and motioned for us. "Well, come in."

     As we entered, Easton and Selena had already begun talking. She was a little intimidated, but hung on his every word. I tried to stay a few steps back from them. I wanted to just be background noise.

     The interior was so different now. Before it'd looked like a party, now it genuinely seemed like a home. Everything that had been hid away for the party was back against the walls and shelves. There were tons of photos everywhere. Many of them were of Patrick and his little sister, from the time they were small babies up until now.

     In the photos I noticed something about Patrick, he was a very chubby little boy.

     I had to laugh. It was just too adorable. Chubby-little Patrick riding his first bike, smashing his first cake and playing with his first basketball. This sweet, and amazing chronologically ordered wall of photos lovingly placed by two parents who truly adored and prized their children.

     As I worked my way towards the photos where Patrick was about eleven, everything changed. Suddenly there were several awards and medals. Patrick began participating in more sports and looked slimmer and more fit as the pictures progressed.

     So many trophies and so many awards.

     So many pictures portrayed Patrick with politicians, news casters, sports celebrities and businessmen.

     He was on a whole different level from me. . .

     He was in a place I wouldn't ever reach.

     I was barely going to be graduating high-school as it was. I had nothing after that. The only thing I had planned to do after graduation was extend my hours as a waitress.

     Easton led Selena and I into the kitchen and offered us some orange juice and deli sandwiches with chips. At first it was nice and I was having a decent enough time talking with Selena and Easton. They had so much in common. She talked with him about so many more things than she was able to with Jon.

     The problem was, the chemistry. The attraction between Selena and Easton was so obvious to me, but not to them. I didn't know why they wouldn't just kiss already. I figured the problem had to be the fact that I was there. I represented Selena's inflatable tube this time. I prevented her from taking the leap towards Easton.

     I needed an excuse.

     I tried to stealthily pull out my phone and set an alarm that sound like my phone ringer. After ten seconds it began to sing.

     "Hey, just keep talking I gotta take this," I lied.

     "Okay, we'll be here," Selena said.

     I stepped into the hallway for a moment and pretended to have a conversation with my boss. "What? You want me to work a shift right now? Okay! I'm on my way." I then tucked the phone away and shrugged my shoulders in Easton and Selena's direction. "I guess I have to go to work."

     "Really? Right now? Okay, well, I'll take you there," Selena volunteered immediately.

     Alarm. Panic. Had to stop her! "No! No, please don't let my change of plans ruin your plans. I am getting a ride, they're going to pick me up."

     "I can take you to work," another voice joined in.

     I looked to see Patrick standing in the hallway with a towel in his hand drying his wet head from his shower. I felt frozen for a moment. He was fully dressed, but still he smelled like fresh shower gel, and a few beads of water clung to his throat and visible clavicle.

     All my plans were falling apart, but what could I do? If Patrick stayed around Selena and Easton they'd still not have their alone time. I'd just have to suck it up and take Patrick's offer for now.

     I faked my smile. "See, Patrick can take me to work, so you stay, okay?"

     Selena looked between Patrick and me and I could tell her eyes were asking me if I was certain.

     "I'm certain about this," I said aloud in response to her gaze.

     I boldly stepped over to Patrick and grabbed his wrist very much to his surprise. I waved to Easton and Selena. "Just keep talking!" Could I have been anymore obvious?

     I was all smiles pulling Patrick outside with me. The moment the door was closed though I dropped the act.

     I crossed my arms and turned on my commanding voice. "So, I don't need you to take me to work, you can just drop me off at my house. I just wanted an excuse to let Selena have some time alone with your cousin. I think they really like each other."

     Patrick was completely perplexed. He still had a towel in his hand. "Isn't Selena dating Jonathan Booth?"

     "Not if I have anything to do with it," I said smugly. "If you knew Jon, you'd understand why."

     He mimicked my defensive stance. "Okay, well, if you don't have to go to work, and I am done with track for the day. Why don't you take today as the opportunity to make up to me for what you did Friday night?"

     My eyes rolled. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything to you."

     "Uh, yeah. Yeah, you did. You ditched me and my friends, and you had me pulled into that whole psycho scene with your ex-boyfriend."

     Okay, when he put it that way, I guess I had done something.

     I sighed and against my better judgment I decided to go with it. "What are you wanting me to do then?"

     "Let's go somewhere you like," he said with his arms still tightly crossed and a towel in between them.

     I released a short laugh. "Please, you can't handle the places I like."

     "Prove it to me then," Patrick challenged.

     I bit my lip and sized him up.

     I reached my hand out to snatch the towel from him. "Okay, but first we're going to have to change your clothes."

Chapter Notes:

Random stuff I wonder about: ~Because you're mine, I walk the line.~

The chapters will change as I make edits! But that's part of the fun!

If you liked this chapter, or didn't, leave a comment below! If you liked it, please vote. THANK YOU!!