by Thomas, Anne
Marty shrugged, looking towards the ceiling at the green ivy plants and wood colored fans. "Not much to tell. I grew up in this town, born right on the line where California and Nevada meet, which is an interesting story to tell when someone wants to know where I was born bad story when places like colleges and such want to know." She laughed. "I have three brothers, no sisters, my mom and dad still married and living a few towns away. My brother Dan is still here works as a chef in a nice, fancy restaurant on the other side of town. He's the second oldest. The eldest brother Mark is also a chef, but he works on a cruise ship. Great career, but I never was a fan it takes him far, far away from me and the two of us were always the closest. He has an apartment in Miami, Florida. And the brother that's a year older than me is Matteo. He lives in France and studies art. Very talented. Always wanted to be a famous artist, despite everyone else wanting him to be a chef like the other brothers. But it wasn't for him. Matt and I were close growing up did a lot together. But now...I haven't seen him in over seven years. Um...I went to college here. Nothing fancy, just community. Put my four years in and got my degree. I worked for Harrison's father before he came. He was a pretty nice old man. But stern. Very strict and had to have everything how he wanted it. Understandable, but not always good for us, you know? Then Harrison came and a lot changed. Well, at least for the school not for me. I didn't have much back then the same apartment I have now, but with little furniture. No friends, really. Nothing to do. No interest in dating. I don't know...I wasn't very happy. But Harrison gave me a best friend. I still remember that day...I was exhausted from school and I was struggling to grade the test papers. It hadn't helped that I was laying in my bed. But he knocked on my door. I knew him pretty well whenever he had to go somewhere overnight, he'd ask me to feed Jake and he'd always offer me twenty bucks, which I would refuse and he'd end up either slipping it under my door the next morning anyway or adding it to my pay that week. There was no refusing Harrison. But this time it wasn't for his dog. Instead, he needed another favor. Said that his dearest and best friend in the whole world was coming later that day to come live here three doors down from me in the apartment that had been empty for near forever. He said he was really busy that week and he wouldn't be able to be with her as much as he'd like, so he wanted me to show her around town and get her barrings. I did so, and instead of twenty bucks, I gained a great friend that I adore. A great friend that currently isn't here." She laughed. "But yeah...that's basically all there is to me. Not much, but enough, I suppose. You know? I'm never going to be famous or world known...but I'm pretty happy with how my life is and that's good enough for me."
Josiah nodded. "Ditto."
And with that, the cake and sundae was delivered and little talk came after they picked up their spoons.
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"What the hell happened to you two?" Marty asked when Molly and Harrison came walking in to the high school the next day. Harrison's arm was in a sling, his one pant leg slightly rolled up on the bottom to reveal bandaging. Molly was standing strangely straight, her posture never that good.
"Elevator." They both growled, then went their separate ways, Harrison taking a right at the corner and Molly taking a left.
Marty followed her friend. "What's this about the elevator? And couldn't one of you call? Joe and I sat in the restaurant for three hours! Three hours waiting for you two!" She exclaimed.
"I got stuck in the elevator at the top floor. I waited there for an hour until Harrison found me and brought be back down the ordeal about a half hour long. Then we got in his truck and drove to the restaurant, but Harrison was worried about my injuries so I worried about his and we ended up getting back in the truck and driving to the hospital. The hospital was horridly busy and to see both of us, we ended up sitting in the emergency room until after midnight. Trust me, after that, you didn't want a phone call from us our nerves were shot. I'm sorry we didn't make it last night but we were a bit caught up, you know?"
Marty nodded. "Quite a night then, huh? Was it fun? You know, to spend all that time with Harrison?"
"Fun? I wouldn't say that. But it was nice to spend time with him even if it was in a hospital. Our time together is more and more rare. I'm sure Josiah would say the same thing about Harrison if you asked him."
"Actually, he did. It's weird, you know? He's Harrison's friend, not ours, but he hangs out with us more than his friend but not because it's his choice, but because Harrison is always busy wooing his multiple girlfriends."
Molly shrugged, her arms wrapped around her delicate middle. "He'll grow out of it one day."
"Yeah well, who cares? How are you doing? Are you able to teach today?"
"Oh, of course. It's just a case of torn and stretched muscles and such. Very uncomfortable when laying down and trying to sleep, but teaching is doable."
"Well if you need help at all today, I'm right here." Marty said, then opened the door to her classroom.
Molly nodded a thanks, then went in to her own and prepared for the day."
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Molly was just chopping up green peppers to add to her stir fry supper when a knock came to the door.
"Yes?" She called out.
"It's me." Harrison's voice came through.
"Come on in door's unlocked."
When he did, he made a big show about sniffing the air. "God that smells good. What are you making, Radcliffe?"
"Best take that comment back quickly." Molly said slyly, grabbing a nearby silver bowl and holding it up. "The meal is completely made up of vegetables your worst enemy, you know. Best get running now before they attack."
He shook his head with a smirk. "You'll never let me live down my childhood, will you?"
"What good is it to be someone's friend for life if you can't tease them about when they thought that vegetables would really come and attack them?"
He groaned, his hand over his face. "I was five!" He exclaimed.
She laughed, pausing in her labor to stretch upon her toes and kiss his stubbled cheek. "Well then, I suppose you're over it now?"
He grabbed a mushroom and shoved it in his mouth with a smile. "See?"
"Good then take a seat and I'll serve you a plate when it's done."
"Good good just make it fast the eclipse is coming soon."
"Eclipse? That's tonight?"
He nodded, leaning back in his chair and putting one arm behind his head. "I talked to Marty on the way here and the four of us are going to go watch it at the astronomy building."
She nodded, sticking her finger that she had just cut by her lips as she dumped in all the vegetables in to the pan.
Once it was finished frying, she served up the stir fry and sloshed the juices left behind, pouring it over the white rice that went under the vegetables. Adding chop sticks for a nice affect, she handed one plate to Harrison and took the other for herself. They walked in to the living room and sat on the black leather sofa clicking on the tv and readying to enjoy their meal.
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"Oh damn, we're going to be late!" Harrison said, checking his watch.
Molly's eyes slowly opened, peeking over at Harrison. "Huh?"
"For the eclipse we fell asleep!"
Molly was suddenly awake and bolting around taking plates and grabbing shoes. "We have got to stop watching boring tv shows together neither one of us can stand staying awake through them." She yelled from the back room.
Harrison snorted in agreement, wrapping his sling around his neck and putting his arm in to it, his fractured elbow aching in protest.
Molly came running back out, pulling her curls in to a low ponytail and slipping on a pair of her favorite clogs.
Grabbing her windbreaker, she put her keys in her back pocket and hurried to the door, Harrison right behind her.
But half wa
y to the star and space building, Harrison realized they wouldn't make it. Pulling his truck over to the side of the road and parking it, he jumped out, grabbing Molly and running up a hill that led to a nice park that kids play soccer and such on in the summertime.
Harrison handed her a special pair of sunglasses and they sat on the ridge, staring up at the sky and awaiting for the big moment.
"Where's Candy Grey this fine evening?" She hadn't meant to say it. Didn't even know where it had come from or how it escaped passed her sudden dry lips, but it had. So much for a peaceful time...
Harrison shrugged. "I don't know. Probably watching the eclipse somewhere."
"I mean...why didn't you take her? You said you arranged this whole thing...why didn't you take Candy Grey out on a fancy date? Eclipses can be very romantic, after all."
"True." Harrison admitted. "But eclipses don't happen every day. I want to share it with friends that will always be there instead of risking it on someone who might not. You remain the most important person to me, Molls. So I want to share this with you."
He never was one for sentimental talks, so after saying his piece, he laid on his back, stopping their chat. Silence fell, but it was warm and comfortable and she liked it just fine.
Laying beside him, the two watched as the eclipse got noticeably closer to happening. And when both of their cell phones went off, even knowing that it was Marty and Josiah, they ignored the persistent ringing and gave the calming moment only to themselves.
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Chapter 3 I see the Passion in your eyes
Molly went to work the next day with her spirit's uplifted. She felt closer to Harrison than she had for a while and it felt good. But, for some strange reason, all good feelings have a tendency to evaporate all too quickly, as was the case here.
"I'm sorry I keep intruding, but I was wondering if I could talk to you?"
Molly inwardly screamed. Candice had come to her door once again. She really had to find a way to escape the classroom much faster.
Molly checked her watch. She had nowhere to go, but she didn't want to give the impression that she had all day to talk to this woman. "I have a few minutes." She lied.
"Great! Um...I was just wondering if...if Harrison ever talks to you about me? I mean, you say you're good friends, so I figure he probably shares his thoughts about girlfriends with you, doesn't he?"
Molly quickly shook his head. "No, no he doesn't. We made a pact long ago that we wouldn't discuss the people we're dating at the time. It makes it easier for multiple reasons. So really, I don't know anything about you from him. He knows better than to tell me."
"But why? I thought you two were close?"
"We are, but I have a tendency to not approve of his girlfriends not that you're one of them that I disapprove of and then I relate my feelings back to him and then he gets upset because he feels awkward dating someone that I don't like."
"Why's that?"
"Then he has to go through the trouble of keeping her away from me when they're out of dates and such. I mean, he'll date the woman anyway, but getting my opinion is usually too much trouble than it's worth. I'm sorry, I really can't help you with this."
Candice bit her lip. "Well, I guess I'll have to judge myself then, huh? I mean, I think we're doing amazing. It sure feels like it. I just know he feels something really special for me. And I think I do with him too. It feels like we're getting really close...really serious, you know? Like this could really turn in to something down the road. I think he's serious about it too. And I hope I'm right. I mean, that man got some lips on him, doesn't he? And God...those eyes when he kisses you..."
Molly hid her gag. "Please, really...I'm not in to details. I love Harrison, but not to the point that I want to hear those things. He's my best friend...I rather not have to think that women think his kissing techniques are good."
"Ah, I see. Don't want to know because you're not dating him, right? I mean, it's not like you ever kissed him or will ever, so yeah...I see your point. Okay, well you really can't help me then. I'll see you around." Candice said, then turned and left.
Molly's fingernails dug in to the tender skin of her palm and her teeth bit hard in to her lower lip, fuming with anger as she was.
She stomped over to Marty's classroom, throwing open the door. "I kissed him first!" She shouted angrily, then spun on her heel and stomped to her car, leaving Marty and her late class that was still in session to stare in bizarre shock.
"Miss Lewison? Uh...what was that all about?" A girl in the front row asked, still staring at the adjoining door.
"Yeah, what's up with Miss Radcliffe?" A guy asked with a sly grin. "And who did she kiss first?"
Marty's cheeks flared red, sure she knew who Molly had been talking about. "I...I don't know. She's under a bit of stress lately."
And with that, Marty excused her class, then ran out to her car to go get the scoop of what had set off her friend.
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"So...you kissed him first, huh?" Marty asked slyly as she slipped in to the car and omitting the fact that Molly had just embarrassed herself in front of a whole class. Molly glared angrily at her. "I hate that woman, I really, really do." She said, wiping a fist across her damp cheek.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah. But I'm sick of this. She gets me all riled up on purpose."
"Why don't you tell Harrison and have him make her stop?"
Molly shook her head. "No. Harrison wouldn't stop it he'd use me as an inside tool. He loves when his girlfriends talk to me then he hounds me to tell him what they told me and it's horrid. The only thing worse than hearing about how good Harrison is at his talents is having to tell them to the man himself."
"We, I can imagine. So what was all this about you kissing him first?"
Molly flushed crimson. "I didn't mean to say that. I was just really mad."
"Understandable. But I want to know what that meant. You kissed Harrison first? First when?"
"His first kiss. It was with me. It's supposed to be secret something only between us. I don't know...it was stupid. We were fifteen and everyone around us was already in to the dating phase. I mean, look around at your classmates. Personally, we didn't see the big deal. But everyone said 'just wait until your first kiss and then you'll understand'. So one day, Harrison and I tried it out. It uh...it wasn't anything special. Or well, I guess it just wasn't special between us, because he stayed away from dating until he came back from the military. Then he dated every girl in sight and he sure didn't mind kissing them. I don't know. It never bothered me and I never really think about it. But when someone says things like Candice...like they think that Harrison could never be attracted to me enough to ever think of kissing me and it's so obvious to them...it just sets me off. I don't know why...maybe because I know, deep inside, it's true. He can date every other woman and be wildly attracted to them...but just not me." Marty's eyebrows raised considerably, wondering if her friend could possibly be wishing the opposite was true. It wasn't very Molly like, but who knew?
Not wanting to push her though, she let the subject drop, Molly obviously not wanting to go any further in the conversation as she emotionally blocked everything off and became very sullen.
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Molly adjusted the shoulder strap of her army green satchel as she walked down the street. After burning two tries at dinner, she was heading out to eat dinner at a restaurant.
She flipped a page in her little planner, a pen sticking out from between her lips. She wanted her life to change. She wanted it to mean something, to add up to something worthwhile. And every day that passed seemed to further prove that drastic changes needed to be made and they wouldn't wait.
Opening the door to her favorite Chinese restaurant, she went to take a seat when she stopped in he
r tracks, seeing something that took her back for a moment.
Harrison and Candice were in a corner booth at the other end of the restaurant. Instead of fleeing, her feet melted in to the ground as she watched them laugh together, Candice's eyes shining bright, her bright red lips parted in her joyous smile.
Harrison had that good time grin on that always made him look devilishly handsome and he knew it well too.
Shaking her head, she walked back out of the restaurant and towards home, no longer feeling very hungry as she ripped out pages that told what was contained in her boring life.
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"And I was wondering if you could tell me what that means. What he feels about me."
"Ah, I see. Don't want to know because you're not dating him, right? I mean, it's not like you ever kissed him or will ever, so yeah..."
"I think we're doing amazing. It sure feels like it. I just know he feels something really special for me. And I think I do with him too. It feels like we're getting really close...really serious, you know? Like this could really turn in to something down the road. I think he's serious about it too. And I hope I'm right. I mean, that man got some lips on him, doesn't he? And God...those eyes when he kisses you..."