Ch. 5
Friendly invitationsFox: well here we go again!
Kojisa: Yep Yep thanks to me!
Fox: Kojisa you better shut it before I do it for you
Kojisa: Did I say me I ment thanx to you!
Fox: Well of course. Go ahead and read the disclaimer
Kojisa: We no owna you no suea!
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The days seemed to grow longer as many students began to count down until Thanksgiving break. Most of the students were already feeling the effects from hours of studying and were more than ready for time off from school.
Brad leaned against the wall as he strummed the strings of his guitar absentmindedly. The others were discussing their plans for Thanksgiving. They were all returning home, all except for Brad. His mom and step dad were going through hard times and couldn't afford to bring him home. It didn't matter to him he hadn't been home much all through his teen years so he was use to it. Truthfully his thoughts were not on break, but on Naomi. He had done as Kris had asked and stayed away from her, but he wasn't going to comply for long. He wondered vaguely what Naomi was doing for Thanksgiving.
"Hey Brad." Brad was shaken from his thoughts as he looked up toward Bit.
"What?"
"I said are you going back home for Thanksgiving?"
"No mom and Nick can't afford it."
"Oh I'm sorry." He shrugged and took the guitar strap off his shoulder and leaned it against the wall.
"No biggy. I'm use to not being home." Jack and Bit nodded in understanding as they recalled events from Brad's past that had kept him from being home. Benji just sat there completely in the dark, but didn't bother to ask about it. Bit quickly changed the subject by directing a question towards Benji.
"What are you doing?" Benji glanced down at the ground then up at them.
"I'm going to see my daughter." They all looked up surprised.
"How old is she?" questioned Brad as he propped his legs up on the table next to him.
"She's 3." He responded as he dug into his pocket and began leafing through his wallet until he produced a picture of her. She had black hair with big gray eyes and dimples. He handed the picture to Brad and leaned back in his chair. "I was 17 when she was born . . . her mom was only 15, but she died during childbirth . . ." his voice trailed off as he stared down at the ground lost in a flood of memories. Bit took the picture and studied the little girl's face.
"What's her name?"
"Riley. She's living with my mom until I get out of college and find out what I'm going to do." They fell silent until Brad stood and walked toward the door.
"I'll see you guys later."
"Where you going?" he shrugged and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"I just need to do something."
"Alright see ya." He opened the door and stepped out of the empty gym. The campus was empty and only a few lights were on in the dorms. He didn't know where he was going, but he didn't really care.
He found himself staring at the Statue of Liberty.
"Hey stranger." He looked up and glanced around. He was surprised to find Naomi standing next to him. She smiled and leaned against the railing. "I haven't seen you for a couple of days."
"Yeah . . . I've been busy."
"I understand. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?" she questioned as she turned to face him.
"Nothing really. I'm staying here."
"How come?" Brad froze. He almost told her they couldn't afford it.
"Uh . . . my parents are . . . going on a trip." He blurted and glanced at her to see if she believed him.
"Oh that's too bad."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm meeting my parents in Hawaii." They were silent as they stared out over the bay, then Naomi turned and smiled at him. "Hey I've got any idea!"
"What?"
"Why don't you come with me?"
"Oh no I couldn't."
"No I insist. I can't just let you stay alone for Thanksgiving."
"No really it's OK."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'll be fine, but I'm touched by your concern." She smiled and leaned against him.
"Alright."
"I'll walk you home. Come on." they turned and began walking back to Naomi's place. Once they reached it Brad said bye on the street instead of going up. He didn't feel like listening to Kris or any of the others. So he went home.
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Brad groaned as a loud banging sound surrounded him. He mumbled and twisted around under his blankets and ended up with the top pulled over his head and the bottom wrapped around his legs, but the banging continued.
"Brad see who's at the door." Brad pushed himself up sleepily and peered through the spy whole in the door. His eyes widened suddenly at the sight of Naomi standing in the hall.
"Shit!" Jack sat up and looked at Brad.
"Who is it?"
"Jack you gotta hide!"
"What do you mean I gotta hide?"
"Shh just go hide in the closet or something. It's Naomi and if she sees you she'll recognize you from the other night." Jack groaned and stood up and managed to stumble to the closet. As soon as the door was closed Brad opened the door and smiled.
"Hey Naomi. What brings you here?" she smiled and thrusted an envelope into his hand.
"You're coming with me."
"What?"
"That's your plane ticket and I've already talked to my parents and they say it's fine. So you're coming and we leave Friday morning OK." Brad was speechless and only managed to nod his head. "Good. I'll see you later then."
"Yeah see ya." He watched her walk away then shut the door and sat down on his bed. Jack stumbled from the closet and scratched his head.
"What was that all about?"
"I'm going with her to Hawaii for Thanksgiving."
"Wow you are so screwed."
"Thanks for the support." He fell back onto the bed and stared at the envelope in his hand. 'What a hassle this is.'
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"You invited him to go with you?" questioned Leena as she sat in Naomi's room.
"Keep it down OK I don't need Kris to hear. You know what she thinks about him."
"Yeah, but I can kind of sympathize with her. You just met the guy."
"Oh not you too Leena."
"Well what you do with your life is your business. So it doesn't really matter to me."
"Thanks, but just promise you wont tell Kris that he's coming with me."
"Who's going with you?" Leena asked innocently
"Exactly."
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Fox: I know this chappy is short, but I wanted to get it up so yeah that's about all I want to say.
Kojisa: yeah so R&R and I'll try to help Fox write more. But it's Spring Break! So we might get more done!
Fox: yeah thankfully I was really needing a break from school. Well see ya Ciao!