Chapter 8 - Thump

The Dillon High Book Clun met briefly in the library to announce the new book and where they were to be meeting next. The small group dissipated rather quickly until there was just Riggins and Julie left behind. They stood facing one another. Julie clearly nervous, her left floor circling her right and visa versa. Her hands looped in her belt loops and her eyes lock on his. Tim stood there confident. He had decided that perhaps he could do this. He could pursue her but for the right reasons not the bet reason. He could pretend that the bet didn't exist and get little Julie Taylor all for himself. Tim liked that idea, he was going to run with it.

Julie was a saucy little chick too. She walked with determination, her hips swaying to and fro as she stalked the halls. Her hair would move in time with her hips and the view from behind was ideal. He found himself looking for her all the time just to watch the way she moved and conducted herself. Tim tried to take a centring breath. His mojo wasn't proving to be all that successful and he would have to try something different, something that went across the normal Riggins approach.

"So, uh a new book huh?" he felt like thumping the heel of his hand against his forehead. That was his sweet move?

"Yeah, it should be a good one," Julie spoke to him without giving any eye contact. This was good she was battling her attraction to him.

"I had a good time the other day, you know the double date from hell?" he joked trying to create some levity and maybe one of those sweet smiles of hers.

"What? I felt the chemistry between you and Lois..." Julie cracked up laughing. Tim scowled, the only chemistry Lois and he would have would be if she removed his balls and concocted an evil witch's brew with them as the vital ingredient.

"Well I didn't feel any between you and Matt. What's with that kid anyway? You'd think someone stole his lucky socks."

"Matt has lucky socks?" Julie tried to avoid Matt personal talk. She squirmed when his name was brought up.

"Sure. So how about maybe doing it again and just you and me?" he stepped into her body, shortening the distance between them. She tried to hide her quick intake of oxygen.

"Mmmmm I don't know," she looked at him with those big eyes of hers. Eyes that held him frozen in her glance. The connection between them strengthened and he saw her tongue trace the contours of her top lip. He almost groaned. Before he could Julie Taylor, little innocent Julie Taylor, leaned in to him, raising herself on her toes and moved in for an impromptu kiss. Tim found himself moving in to her too.

Thump. The two broke apart having not even touched lips to see Landry Clark staring at them stunned, a pile of books scattered around his feet. Riggins wanted to hurt him...a lot. Riggins threw him glance that could singe hair and Landry hurriedly picked up his books and scurried away.

Riggins heard a sigh and saw Julie turn around, pick up her own books and move towards the library's exit without giving him a single glance.

/-/-/

Matt was sitting in the caf reading his book for English and trying not to think about Julie. He definitely still had feelings for her and the bet was taking on a life of its own. Riggins was making significant inroads. He could tell from a mile off and Julie seemed to be enjoying all the attention. Julie and he had never taken that step and the thought she might with one of those meatheads was beyond his comprehension. That she might lose her virginity as part of a best was even worse. Unless of course the Swede had already divested her of that. Matt groaned he needed to stop thinking altogether.

Landry entered the caf with a huge stack of books and Matt was relieved for the distraction. Although unlike Landry's usual relaxed walk he was storming in with a lot of focus. Matt raised his hand, making Landry aware of his presence and his friend immediately changed course to towards him.

"Hey man," Landry paused his breathing hard. "I just saw something that is going to blow your mind." He stood there staring at Matt, Matt had no idea what his friend was talking about.

"Well, what?" Matt knew this was going to be interesting. He leaned forward, Landry wasn't much of a gossip so it had to be good.

"I just saw Julie kissing Riggins," Landry held his breath and Matt turned to stone. This wasn't good. It wasn't good at all. Landry's books hit the table with a thump and to Matt is sounded like a death knell.

/-/-/

Julie was confused. Riggins had pursued her by reading and joining the book club, asked her on a date, then backed off and then was going to kiss her. Well she was nearly kissing him and he didn't look all that fussed about it. She had no idea where she stood but she did like the butterflies in her belly and the speeding up of her pulse whenever he was in her orbit. The only thing she could think to do when they were interrupted was to flee. Very juvenile but the only option she felt all that comfortable with. Just the scent of him drove her insane. She had wanted that kiss bad, damn Landry Clark!

/-/-/

The knock on the door was loud and through, as Lyla suspected. But it also came half an hour early (good thing she was ready an hour early). She had been waiting by the door so her mother, or her freak vegan boyfriend, wouldn't have the pleasure. And when she opened the door she couldn't help take in the pleasure of--"Tim?" Lyla couldn't help but be a little bit surprised it was Riggins at her door.

She almost laughed, but he inward cringe escaped her. Why was her old-boyfriend? Lover? Or whatever Tim Riggins was to her-here? "Listen... I'm kind of busy..." she said, looking at him right into the eye.

"I need to talk..." and Lyla rolled her eyes,

"There's no way in hell we're getting together, Riggins."

He smiled, "Actually I need some advice," and then he go into talking to Lyla, not as ex-girlfriend Lyla, but as the way it used to be. Him, Street and Lyla. He relied on them more then anybody. He was just starting to realize that he still did, and probably always would.

The door was open, and Lyla's hand was on Tim's arm and she was nodding and putting in her two cents (which really was crap advice, but Tim didn't know the difference) when Smash walked in. He took one look at Lyla and Tim and was almost on the brink of tears.

"It's not what-"

"I was just-"

"Leaving, he was just LEAVING. Right, Tim?"

And then Smash took another look at Lyla, and Tim was gone. Actually, it wasn't right then, they just immediately tuned it out. His hand was on hers, and hers on his. Their fingers intertwined. And the walked, hips brushing, to the car. But before they got to Smash's automobile, Smash pinned her to her mother's car and kissed her.

And she laughed gently, well what she thought was a gentle laugh was actually a loud moan. And then, before they knew it, they heard the overwhelming sense of the neighbour's dogs barking. And then they had an audience. And then Lyla heard a, "Lyla Garrity get the hell back in the house!!"

And the date was over, but it had been perfect.

Author's Note – Big News Everyone! Lilly's got herself engaged.