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?
