Chapter 9

Saturday came before Cole knew it. Deep inside, he was feeling excited and nervous at the same time, but this may be his only chance to hang out with Carol instead of always trying to figure out ways to talk to her in school. Plus, it'd be nice to get out of the house for a while. He loves his parents to his heart's content, but there were times he just couldn't stand them.

Cole wasn't like those guys who wanted to impress a girl with good looks and going all out on what to wear so he decided to stick with a simple hoodie and black jeans. Casual was always better. Although he couldn't help spritzing a little of his dad's cologne on him. Once he was done getting ready, he rushed out the door.

"Mom, Dad, I'm going out!" Cole shouted to his parents.

"Okay, sweetheart," his mom called out, "See you at dinner."

Heading downstairs, he went outside and grabbed his bike off the side of the building, making his way down the block where Carol lived in the apartment building right on the corner of Lemington and Conchurra street.

Cole set his bicycle beside the building and went up to the third floor. The whole apartment was fancy with its giant lobby and even an elevator. There was even a doorman and cleaning crew as well as people managing the place as if it were a five star hotel.

When Cole made it up to the third floor, he was surprised to see Carol already standing outside her apartment door waiting for him.

"Hey, Cole," Carol said, walking up to him. For a girl who was only wearing a casual purple shirt and black jeans, she sure knew how to make something simple seem like she just came home from a fashion runway show. She was just that stunning.

Cole shook his head to regain himself. Remember, Cole, this isn't a date. This is just a normal day hanging out with an old friend. "So, uh, ready to go?"

Carol nodded. "Yep, I'm ready."

They went back downstairs and outside the building where Cole's bike was. Handing her a helmet, Carol sat behind Cole on his bike and the two began making their way to Lemington Bowl.

Cole didn't realize how well Carol could bowl since every time she rolled the bowling ball down the lane, she made a perfect strike. He could tell she's been practicing a lot.

"That's some skill you got there," Cole told her, "I'm pretty good myself, but I usually just bowl for fun."

Carol giggled. "Yeah, my brothers taught me since they used to bowl for sport. They're all on a bowling team in college now, leaving me all alone with my mom and aunt."

"Well, that's a good thing, isn't it? Now that they're in college, your mom can pretty much spoil you rotten and spend every free moment with you. You know, before the empty nest syndrome kicks in."

Carol rolled her eyes, shook her head and sighed. "I wish I could have a mom like that, but unfortunately I don't. A lot has changed in the past six years, Cole. My dad died when I was twelve and my mom hates coming home because everything reminds her too much of him. So my mom pretty much lives at work. I barely ever get to see her and when she is home, she does nothing but start an argument with me. To be honest, I'm glad I got out of the house today. I'm just glad I left before she decided to roll out of bed this morning."

"So who helps to take care of you?"

"My aunt Rose. I've spent more time with her than both my parents combined. Although, I will admit that I got along with my dad better than with my mom, anyway. But my aunt Rose is always there to take care of me. At least there's someone in this world that cares." She sat down and sighed. "I was only able to stay at the Marty Oppenheimer until my mom decided to transfer jobs three months after my dad passed on. It makes me feel as though she puts her own needs before mine. Not that I would think any differently of her doing anything else."

Cole couldn't help but feel pity for her. It took every ounce of energy within his body not to suddenly just walk up and embrace her. To tell her that things would be okay.

But Carol placed a smile on her face and looked up to stare into Cole's eyes. "So what have you been up to after running away from the Marty Oppenheimer? I know you went back home after some time, but where exactly did you go?"

"Ah, nowhere exciting," Cole told her, "Just a bunch of walking here and there. Went from village to village. Met people along the way. Some were nice, but some I wish I had never encountered in the first place." It was always painful to talk about Bucky, so he decided not to mention anything about him. He also couldn't mention anything about having earth powers. At least not until he could trust her enough to tell her. Not that he didn't trust her. He just wanted to make sure she was trustworthy enough to keep the secret. So he decided to cut to the end. "Anyway, I was caught by some people in a place called Stixx and I finally had enough of trying to escape from my old life so I told them to take me home."

"Did they take you back to your parents?" Carol asked.

Cole shook his head. "They took me down to the hospital first. Once I was done, I was reunited with them. Trust me, I will never make a mistake like that again."

Carol nodded. "I have a feeling you learned your lesson. Come on, let's finish the rest of this game and do something else."

Cole smiled, glad to finally be able to get something else on his mind besides the past.

The two spent the rest of the day playing arcade games and winning enough tickets for Cole to win Carol a cute purple stuffed teddy bear. A stuffed animal in her favorite color really matches her sweet and kind hearted personality. They ate ice cream afterwards and saw the day was coming to an end. Cole knew he needed to get Carol home so they hopped on his bike and began making their way back to her apartment.

They stood outside the building as they stated their good nights to one another.

Carol smiled. "I really had a great time today, Cole. Thanks so much for taking me out today."

"Anytime, Carol," Cole said. He was happy to see her happy after such an awesome day. He really wanted to ask her out on a date. Heck, he was even considering this a date since they had so much fun. Even though his mind kept telling him to ask her out, he knew now just wasn't the right time. Maybe if they spent more time together, he could actually have the guts to do so. But instead he decided against it. "Well, I guess I'll see you at school?"

Carol nodded. "Yeah. See you then. Goodnight, Cole."

"Goodnight, Carol."

He watched as she went inside the building then went back on his bike to start heading home himself. He knew he blew his chance on ever asking her out. When will he even have the courage to ask her to hang out with him again? It's not like he could ever write her a note and pass it to her in the only class they had together. And placing a note in her locker was not an option, either. Too common nowadays.

He should've just asked her out right then and there. Now he's just lost his chance.

When will he ever get another one?

OKAY, ANOTHER CHAPTER FINISHED. SORRY IT WAS SHORT, BUT LIKE I SAID BEFORE, SOME CHAPTERS WILL BE SHORT AND SOME WILL BE LONG. I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE ENJOYING THIS STORY SO FAR. DON'T BE SHY. LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINION ABOUT HOW THE STORY'S GOING SO FAR.

NOW LET'S TALK TO THE REVIEWERS:

Iclianna Sahara: YOU'RE WELCOME FOR MENTIONING YOU. ALSO, WELCOME TO FANFICTION. I HOPE TO HEAR SOME STORIES FROM YOU SOON OR TO SEE WHICH ARE YOUR FAVORITES. AND I REALLY LOVE YOUR SERPENTINE STORY IDEA AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND WORK ON THE SUMMARY AND SENT IT TO YOU THROUGH PM. I'VE GOT A TITLE READY AS WELL. ALSO, QUICK QUESTION. WERE YOU THE GUEST THAT REVIEWED IN CHAPTER ONE AS WELL? JUST WONDERING.

WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

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