Rob's Eyes: Chapter 3

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, ya'll rock!!!!!

Rob's POV:

I couldn't wait to escape the city limits. I'm a safe driver and all, but I love to go really fast on my bike. I handed Mastriani my spare helmet, and helped her onto the Indian. Soon enough, Jess's arms were wrapped around me so tightly I could barely breathe...In a good way, of course.

Mastriani guided me to what I could only assume was her boyfriend's place. I pulled over to the curb, and killed the engine. We were in front of a tiny brick house with crabgrass in the lawn, the blinds drawn down, and no numbers anywhere.

"Well, this the boyfriend's place, then?" I said after awhile. Jess shushed me. She was watching some kid who was walking towards us, coming home from school, obviously. Jess pulled off the helmet, watching the kid enter the lawn of the house we were in front of.

Suddenly, Jess got off the bike, crossed the street, and called out to the kid. "Sean."

The kid turned and got very white. His bright red hair was hidden beneith a Yankees hat, and a million freckles stood out against his white skin. Blue eyes glared at Jess, then at me.

Hey, don't shoot the driver!

"I don't know what you're talking about." The kid said, fear showing through.

"Oh, yeah?" Jess said. "You're name's not Sean?" So she got the wrong person. Big deal.

"No." Not-Sean said. "My name's Sam."

Jess shook her head. "No, it isn't. Your name's Sean Patrick O'Hanahan. It's okay, Sean. You can trust me. I'm hear to help you. I'm here to get you home."

By this time, Jess was getting a little scary. Maybe the storm messed with her or something.

Sean/Sam dropped his things, and turned whiter. I could tell he was probably shaking badly. Then he rushed Jess. He grabbed her by the wrist, and hissed, "Don't you tell anyone. Don't you ever tell anyone you saw me, understand?"

Then he continued in a whisper: "I am not Sean Patrick O'Hanahan. So you can just go away, do you hear? You can just go away. And don't ever come back."

I was about to get off the bike and come help Jess, but at that moment the door of the tiny brick house opened, and Sean/Sam's mom, called out sharply, "Sam!"

The kid let go, calling back, "Coming." He threw out another furious fear-filled look to Jess and ran inside, slammng the door.

Well, that was a little weird.

Mastriani stood there, staring at the house, probably in shock. After a little bit, I took off my helmet and said, "Kid's a little young for you, don't you think?"

Jess turned, still in a daze. She looked like she wanted to say something, but for whatever reason, didn't. Or couldn't.

"Takes all kinds, I guess." I continued. "Still, I didn't have you pegged for having a Boy Scout fixation." I wanted to wipe that dazed look away, make her laugh. Nothing.

"Well, we can stand around out here all night, if you want too. But the smell of those burgers is making me hungry. What do you say we go try to find some of our own?" I asked. Maybe she'd feel better with food in her stomach.

Jess gave the house one last glance before accepting the helmet and getting on the bike. "Ready." She said, and I hit the gas.

Normally, I don't take girls to Chick's, unless I'm sure they can handle it, or that they'll be around for awhile. I'm pretty sure Jess fit both catagories.

So, after we pulled into a space and walked in, I introduced Jess to a few people. We ordered, then I saw her go make a phone call. She was still talking when our burgers were ready, so I yelled her name and waited for her to hang up.

Everyone squeezed into a couple booths while we all ate. Since I'd only brought one girl here before, and she was nothing like Jess, no one really knew how to react to Mastriani. Jimmy asked me at one point where'd I'd gotten Jess.

She replied before I could with, "The girlfriend store."

Girlfriend? Hmm...Well...Sounds good to me.

Almost everyone laughed at that. We left awhile later. I thought it was a little weird for Jess to have me drop her off at her street corner, but whatever. Maybe her parents just aren't into motorcycles.

As I dropped her off, I cut the engine and put the spare helmet away. Before she could walk away, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into me. Jess looked a little aprehensive, but I leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.

Then I drove off. I figured if we were going to do something next weekend, I could talk to her about it later.