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Chapter 4: It's just a crush…

It had been a few weeks since I had seen Brian Gamble, but, believe me, he wasn't forgotten. Here and there at the dinner table my dad would bring up his name, and I would get a sudden feeling of butterflies. But, of course, I would just put my head down and continue eating, making sure my parent's didn't see the blushing on my cheeks. I highly doubt they would think much of it if they did though, I mean, how could a twelve year old girl ever have a crush on a, what, twenty-something year old guy?

But I did, and I kept it to myself for the longest time. I didn't want any of my friends to know, for they could make fun of me, or worse, tell everyone. I just didn't have to much trust in them. Although, there was one girl who I felt close to, and had a good amount of trust in.

Her name was Manda,. She was a great person, both outside and inside. She was one of the older girls in my dance studio. and actually babysat baby-sat me a few times. She was about twenty-two, but age didn't matter to her, she always made everyone feel welcomed, even girls at my age.

To me, she was the best dancer around, and she always helped me with my problems. I felt like I could trust her the most, and I felt that it was that time to tell someone about my feelings.

Then, one day, after practice, I approached Manda. I was sorta shaky about bringing this whole thing up, but it was really killing me inside not to tell anyone.

"Ummm…Manda." I said in a shaky manner.

Manda looked back at me with a smile. She then made her way over to the side of the room that I was on, and knelt down in front of me. Having me know that I had her full attention.

"Sure sweetie, what's up?" Manda said back to me.

"I..well, I haven't talked to anyone about this, and its…its been bothering me." I spurt out quickly, but already feeling better about sharing my feelings.

"What is it Harley?" Manda shot out pretty quickly, almost getting scared at what I had to say.

"Well, this is hard, but, well..I, sorta, kinda, like someone." I said to Manda, avoiding her eyes, but completely turning around once the whole sentence was out.

I heard a quick laugh, and a light tug on my shoulders. I was scared to her reaction, but Manda just turned me around to face her, with a smile on her face. Just seeing her smile made me feel better, I felt that Manda really understood where I was coming from with my feelings.

"Awww…sweetheart, that's so cute! But, is that what you had to tell me?" Manda said back to me.

"Yes, that's it." I said, feeling better and more confident.

"Well, that's wonderful! Well, wait, how old is this guy?" Manda asked with an arch in her eyebrow.

"He's in his twenties, he works at my dad's office." I replied.

Manda's eyes widened, but so did her smile. She gave me her hand and led me over to the seat where my stuff was.

"Sorry, hun, my knees were sorta getting tired. But, besides that, it's typically normal for you to have a crush on someone. Every girl will experience a crush, or many crushes at your age." Manda said to me. But, with that said, my stomach slowly dropped.

'It wasn't just a crush.' I thought to myself. I mean, this felt serious.

"But, you think that's all it is, a crush?" I said back to Manda quickly.

"Hhaha…Harley, a lot of girls your age think that the first guy they see means they found true love or romance. This feeling is just something you'll experience a lot in your younger ages. In time, you will find a guy that will be your one and only. Besides, this guy, is so much older than you, and you are still a young girl."

Once Manda's words were out, I felt that my hear was being broken apart, slowly. I mean, how could she say that? How does she know? It was just wrong of me to tell her about it. I should of just kept my mouth shut.

Manda broke my thoughts then, when she continued on,

"So, don't worry Harley. It's natural that you experience these feelings. But, in time, you will find a guy for you. Not some guy that's more than half your age." Manda said with a smile, probably feeling like she was all great for helping me. The truth was that her advice was worthless to me. There was no way I was going to believe her.

"Thanks." I said with no enthusiasm.

"Now, let's go Harley, I'll walk you to your dad's office. It's getting late, and you dad is probably worried what happened to you. And don't worry Harley, I won't tell a soul." Manda said to me. Acting like my best friend now, walking me to my dad's office, then saying she won't tell a soul. She was just annoying to me now.

"I'll be out here when you are ready Harley." Manda said as she grabbed her bag and headed for the door that lead us out of our dance room.

After she left, I just sat there, thinking about what she said. But, what could I do? I mean, I did ask her, and what did her opinion matter to me anyway?

With that I gathered all my clothes, put on some sweat pants, my favorite pink ones preferably, and finally, put on my sneakers. I sighed quickly, and thought to myself,

'I won't always be a little girl though." With that thought, I smiled and turned to the door, ready for my walk with Manda.

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"Come on Harley!" Manda shouted as she was standing if front of the LAPD office. She was waiting for me, as I decided to walk a few paces behind her, just to get her mad.

"I'm coming Manda, don't worry." I said back to her. Trying not to show I really wasn't in the mood for her.

"Well, Harley, we made it." Manda said to me in her nice friendly way.

Part of me wanted to say thanks, but the other half didn't.

'Thank you for what?' I thought. 'Telling me I'm to young, and all I experience are crushes?'

But, I was raised better than that. I turned to face Manda, and replied,

"Thanks Manda." I said in a mellow manner, not to sincere, but not to mean either.

Manda, just smiled, but said back,

"Anytime you need anyone to talk to Harley, I'm here."

I nodded to her as a good-bye and thank you, but quickly thought to myself,

'Yeah, I'm sure I will.'

With that, I quickly turned and headed up the stairs. I was such in a hurry, or just in the mood to avoid Manda, that I my front foot slipped from the step, and I painfully landed right on my knee, ripping my favorite pants right there, and smacking my hands on the cement stairs.

People turned and saw me, and I didn't know if I felt more embarrassment or pain. I wanted to run, but I had heard someone call my name,

"Harley, are you okay?" It was Manda.

'I just can't get away from her.' I thought. But, I wasn't going to fight it, I mean, I was in pain, and I could start to feel tears in my eyes.

"Are you okay sweetie?" Manda said as she sat right next to me.

" I'm fine, really." I said to her, but the pain started to take over, and I wanted to cry, not just physical pain, but my emotional pain as well. I could feel the tears start to form, but then I heard a familiar voice.

"Is everything alright here?" It was him, Brian Gamble.

I couldn't move, it was him. I mean, he was here. Out of all times though, he had to come when I was on the brink of tears.

" What happened, I saw you fall, and wait…aren't you, Harley Markinson? I just met you, does Chief Markinson know you are out here?" Brian said in a sincere manner, but concerned.

"I..ummm..yeah..no, he doesn't." I spat out, I don't know how, but I did though.

I couldn't believe it, he remembered my name. My stomach began to do its flip all over again.

"Sorry to interrupt," It was Manda's voice, "but, I was walking Harley to her dad's office, and as I was leaving she fell." Manda said to Brian, in her usual sweet tone.

At that moment my stomach fell. I saw the way Brian and Manda got caught up in each other's eyes. How they looked like were truly hypnotized.

"Well, why don't we take Harley in here, and we can talk to her dad. I'm sure he'll be happy you helped her out." Brian said to her with his beautiful smile.

"Yes, I'll be happy too." Manda said still staring into his eyes.

'No, no..this isn't happening.' I thought, this isn't fair.

"By the way, I'm Brian Gamble, LAPD cop." Brian said to Manda, with a smirk, that I wish he would direct at me.

"And I'm Manda, dance and college student in here L.A." She said, as they reached to met in a hand shake, right in front of me. While staring in each others eyes, like they wouldn't let go.

'This is just a nightmare' I thought "just a nightmare.'