CHAPTER SEVEN

Obviously I had fallen asleep, because the next thing I remember was Ram gently trying to wake me up. I looked up squinting my eyes in the setting sun. He was smiling down on me in the sweetest way and for once I knew why I always put up with him. I smiled back and he gently took my hand kissing my palm and then helping me out of his SUV.

We walked into Judy's Last Stand, a place that had been around forever and where most of the students of St. Paul as well as some of the kids from Craven Ridge, the Public School, hung out. We sat opposite each other in a booth. I didn't want to say anything since I could tell he was trying to play off his anger. Last thing I need was a bad date.

Finally the waitress came. Her hair pulled back in a ponytail she gave the impression of the of the over worked laborer, a role I was familiar with and also reminded me that I worked tomorrow...ugh. Ram ordered a cheese burger with everything while I went for my favorite a crispy chicken club without mayo.

We talked about little things School, friends, and home life, but we didn't go any where near the subject of the white building. When our petty conversation had finally died I took the bold step and said: "Frank's an interesting guy."

"Really?" He sounded surprise.

"Oh yeah, he shared some of his pizza with me told me some stuff too."

Ram looked at me suspiciously while I tried to keep my smile. "Like?"

"Well, he doesn't really like you all that much."

"I don't like him either!" Ram grinned.

"Why?"

He quickly sobered. "Because he's a crazy old man; look, Java, don't worry about what you saw today. It's nothing big just some work I'm helping my dad with."

"Why so far out of the City-limits?"

"Cheap property I guess."

"Oh...I feel foolish for a minute there I thought you were conducting experiments or making weapons illegally or something." I gave a half-hearted laugh to through him off. I still thought he probably was since he's dad was some big name scientist and Ram had more then enough smarts for that kind of stuff. As I thought about this I heard the familiar squeak of the door. Normally I never looked but this time was different and turning I saw him and he wasn't alone.

You now how in the movies when someone stunning walks into the room everything goes into slow motion? That's how it was when Jay walked in. girls turned to catch a peak at him he so hot, and his friend what much the same only younger and he looked less noble, but more troublesome. I smiled almost raising my hand when I remembered I was with Ram. I could tell he was looking at me and turned back to him. "Who is that guy?"

"He's the new kid at St. Paul's."

"Friend?"

"Yeah I helped him around his first day."

"Gets a lot of attention."

I smirked. "You don't know the half of it."

The waiter brought our food, and we started to eat when I noticed someone else walk into the little eatery. It was Janice. She flipped her long hair not hesitating when she plopped into Jay's booth with his friend. I grimaced slightly turning back to Ram who stood up. "I gotta go take care of something, you stay sweet." He kissed the top of my head walking off. I turned watching to see where he was going when he stopped at Jay's booth. They started talking and Ram actually pointed in my direction. I was shocked, Ram didn't normally do stuff like this, I mean, he didn't talk to people willingly. After a moment of conversation I saw Jay and Ram and his friend get up, wave to Janice who was slightly-no-very upset and walk over.

"Java I want you to meet someone."

"Hi Jay." I smiled as everyone settled in the booth Ram next to me. "Who's your friend."

"My brother, Ved," He stated. He looked a little uncomfortable. "Mom's been a bit busy at the hospital with my Dad, so we came to eat out."

"Huh, your dad in the hospital?"

"Dad has that virus thing." Ved stated adding to the conversation.

"I'm sorry." I didn't know what they meant by Virus, but I knew I could ask Ram later. We all got pretty comfortable with each other when finally I knew it was time for me to get back home. We paid our part of the check and Ram led me out of Judy's Last Stand leaving Jay and his little brother behind.

When we drove home I turned to Ram in the darkness. "What did Ved mean by Virus?"

"It's something that's been getting around, it's killed three people so far," He hesitated, "They don't know where it started."

"Oh..." I sighed as we pulled into my driveway. Ram helped me out of the car and walked me to the door. I looked at him smiling. "I had a good time."

"That's good." He smiled.

"I'll see you later?" I asked.

The smile fell. "I-uh-maybe, I have a lot of work to do."

"Oh."

"Java, how's your Mom?"

"Good, great workaholic as usual."

"And your Dad?"

"Out of town, why Ram?"

"Nothing, I just haven't seen them in a while." He leaned over kissing me on the cheek. "Goodnight Java...I'll call you."

"Ok" I mumbled as he bounded down the walkway back to he's car. Something was up, with Ram, with this Virus and now that Ram had brought it to my attention something was up with my Mom too. What the hell was happening?