Garan was standing against the brick wall outside the movie theater doors smoking a cigarette, talking to a bunch of other guys. Crystal suddenly became nervous when she saw him. Her heart raced as they approached him. Megan ran up to Garan and gave him a big hug. "Garan, I'd like you to meet my friend Crystal." He nodded, "Hello Crystal." She was desperately in need of a cigarette so she excused herself for a minute to run inside to buy some. She came back out and noticed Megan and Garan were deep in conversation, he had a thoughtful expression on his face. She started to walk toward the two. Just then Rob, Jae, and Wendell came out and walked over to him.
Jae yelled, "Garan!"
Garan shook his hand. "Hey, what's up?"
The four of them started talking, ignoring Meg and Crystal. So the two girls went to the parking lot to Crystal's car. She opened the Porsche's trunk with her keypad and changed the CDs in the disc changer so they could listen to some music. Megan was all giddy; Crystal could tell she had news. "Guess what? When you went inside Garan told me he thought you were really cute and he wants to get to know you better." she said with a huge grin on her face. Crystal's jaw dropped.
"You're serious? No way. Wow."
"Yes, dead serious."
"Hmm…"
A slight dreamy smile spread across Crystal's pale face. Her bright blue eyes were twinkling. Megan poked her. "Hey lover girl, we'd better head back before Rob starts bitching." Crystal nodded as she turned the car off and they headed back upstairs. Megan went to look for Rob, and Crystal walked over to where Garan was standing alone. She was so anxious her hands were shaking. She lit a cigarette to try to calm down.
"Hey", she said rather sheepishly.
Garan looked at her. "Oh, hi."
Crystal didn't know what to say. There was silence. She decided to call Danielle on her cell phone and say hi since she was feeling so awkward. Meanwhile Garan walked away with three guys to go gamble at cards.
Why can't I talk to him…? I've never been so intimidated by anyone. I don't get it. I feel like he's ignoring me. Is he? Is it me?!
She sat and talked to people on her phone, first Danielle, then Jen, Joe, and Bill…just trying to kill time. Finally Garan walked back over to her and asked, "We're going to see a movie, wanna come?"
"I have no money right now."
"That's ok, I have enough."
Crystal bit her lip and hesitated. "Umm…"
"Ok, well…I guess you're not coming so I'll see you later."
He gave her a hug and walked away.
She called after him, "Wait, are you going to the diner tonight?"
He turned around and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, maybe." he replied as he walked into the theater.
Crystal headed for the stairs and fumbled through her purse for her cell phone to call Megan. God, I'm making it seem like I don't want to spend some time with him just because I really don't like accepting money from people. Is there something wrong with me? I hope he understands. All I want is to hang out with him and talk one on one, get to know him better. She hit speed dial number 6. "Hello?" Megan answered.
"Hi, where are you guys?"
"We went to the diner a bit early. Thought we'd give you a chance to pick up Garan." Megan laughed.
"Ok, very funny, I'll be there in 20."
Crystal got in her car and drove down to the Town & Country Inn where everyone hangs out at night. When she arrived she noticed Megan and Rob's cars there. Jae and Wendell pulled up just after her. They all went inside and sat down. Megan and Rob got up to say hi to everyone. They all sat down and began with the basic chatter. Nina the waitress came over and greeted everyone. Everyone ordered their drinks and started looking through the little tin jellies to check the bottoms for the stupid phrases they like to inscribe on them. Crystal glanced out the window and saw Marc's green Grand Am backing in. Marc and Jon walked in and sat down. Crystal gave Jon a big hug, rested her head on his shoulder and whined, "Jon... I don't know what to do anymore."
"Aww, what's the matter babe?"
"I really like this guy, but I'm having trouble expressing it. I never had this problem before. What's wrong with me? I really feel like he doesn't like me in the slightest. I'm ready to just give up."
Jon patted her head and said, "Don't worry about it, you're a great girl and if he does nothing about it he's stupid and it's his loss."
Crystal smiled, "Thanks Jon…I guess."
She lit a cigarette and slumped down in the seat. Megan gave her a look. "What's wrong? You've been acting weird…cheer up." Rob lifted his head from Megan's shoulder and yelled at Crystal, "Stop bein so damn depressed!" She laughed and apologized. "I don't mean to be depressed but I just can't help it right now. I need to go home. I'll see you guys later." Rob, Megan, Marc, Jon, Jae, and Wendell all got up and said goodbye to her, as she got ready to leave.
When she got home she flopped down on her bed and started to cry. "What is wrong with me? I feel sick…"
Chapter 3 >>>