Walking down one of the main streets, I was scooping out the environment, bored, and basically killing time until that night when I could win some more money. It was probably a little bit after noontime, but I couldn't be sure, seeing how I didn't own a watch and wasn't about to invest my measly twenty bucks into one.
Anyhow, back to original topic…
With my hands shoved into my worn pockets, I casually strolled down the street, admiring the things in the window, despite the fact I could never have enough money to buy them.
"Zack!" I stopped and slowly turned around to see Carly coming up behind me, her sneakers slapping the sidewalk beneath. She was wearing a pair of tight fitting track pants with what appeared to be just a sports bra. Couldn't be sure. Women's clothing isn't my specialty, nor should it be.
Her blond hair was slicked back into a tight ponytail and she was glistening from sweat. She took a deep breath as she approached me and laid her hand on my shoulder. Instinctively, I moved away, not liking being touched by her.
"So," she began, either not noticing my rejection of her affection or not caring, "how did last night go?"
"Last night?" I echoed.
"The pool game-didja win or what?"
"I won," I answered flatly. It was a simple fact, no need bragging or screaming excitedly that I had won a rather small amount.
"Good job," she replied, flashing her big grin and patting me on the back. Again, I stiffened under the gesture and backed away a little bit. She considered this carefully, her tiny eyebrows twisting into a knot on the bridge of her nose. "You sunburned or something?"
"What?"
"You sure don't like people touching you-do you? I'm not poisonous," she said with a tiny laugh.
"Never said that," I replied defensively, my natural barriers being put up to protect myself from revealing anything that I shouldn't.
"You don't have to say it, Zack, 'cause it's pretty obvious," Carly told me as she adjusted her top strap, exposing her shoulder. I glanced at the ground, somewhat embarrassed by her gesture. "What? Is there something wrong with me?" she asked in a joking manner, placing her hands on her hips.
"Uh…no…it's me," I mumbled and turned away, running my fingers through my hair, exasperated.
"I'll be there tonight cheering for you!" she called from behind me.
"Great," I muttered, walking away as I waved to her, showing that I had heard her.
"Yeah! Same to you too!" she yelled. I continued walking, attempting to tune her out. Eventually, I heard her jogging away and turned back around cautiously.
Sure enough, she had turned a corner and was moving out of sight. I sighed and plopped down on a nearby bench.
The girl disturbed me slightly, yet also intrigued me. It had been awhile since I had met a person who could do both with such ease, and I wasn't sure what to think of it. I wasn't sure what to think of her.
Well, I thought with another sigh, Carly sure knows what she thinks of you, I told myself…And whether that be a good thing or a bad thing, I just don't know yet. Nor, did I want to know right then.