Crashing into Chris

(Disclaimer- don't own the characters of Stand by me!)

How did I meet Chris Chambers? Honestly, I couldn't have seen it coming myself even if it had smacked right into me…which, in fact, it did. I was walking home, my arms full of Grocery bags when- SMACK! A guy slammed right into me, sending me flying backwards and my groceries flying into the air!

"Shit! I'm so sorry!" he cried, helping me up. "Are you okay?"

I took in his face, which was undeniably handsome, even though it was covered in blood that came from a cut above his eye. It was pretty bad. "I think I should be asking you that! Are you okay?"

"It's just…nothing, really. Let me help you pick all this up," he offered, but suddenly we heard the shouting of a gang in the distance. "On second thoughts- hide me!"

"What!" I panicked. "How!"

The guy pulled me to him so I was covering his body and, as the hoods neared us, roughly kissed me to hide his face. The hoods ran past us and the kiss was over in seconds.

"Thanks for hiding me, I really appreciate it!" he said, bending down to pick up my groceries to avoid looking me in the eye.

"You're welcome. I don't think I really had a choice but you're welcome all the same," I laughed, helping him pick everything up. "That really is a nasty cut…and it looks like you could use a safe house. Why don't you let me clean it up. My house is just over there."

"Nah, I don't wanna intrude," he said.

""No seriously, you need to get that seen to or it'll get infected," I threatened.

"You've done enough," he began, then we heard the gang noises start to get louder."On second thoughts- that would be good!"

"Mom!" I called as we got inside, but hearing no reply. "All clear."

I led him to the kitchen, where we put the groceries down and I hunted for the first aid kit.

"Ow!" he cried, as I touched the disinfectant-soaked cloth to his wound.

"Oh yeah, it might sting a little," I laughed.

"Thanks for telling me," he rolled his eyes.

"So why were Ace Merrill and his boys chasing you?" I quizzed.

"He was having a bad day, I guess…and I was taking the rap for it. Me and my friends always take the fall for it. I'd tell you why but it's a really long story," he told me.

"I'll take your word for it," I said, putting a plaster/band aid over his cut. "All done!"

"Great! Well thanks for everything!" he said. Maybe it was wishful thinking (thinking about it now) but I swear it looked like he was going to kiss my cheek. He offered me his hand instead, which I shook, a tingle running up my arm.

I walked him to the door. "So, take care of yourself, okay?"

"Will do," he said, looking into my eyes then turning away. He stopped, mid-stride, and turned back to me. "I'm Chris."

"Holly Davis," I smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Holly," he smiled back.