Carly's POV;
I didn't bother replying to Cliff's text. I needed to talk to someone who understands.
I need to talk to Lyra.
My eyes were still a little blurry as I went through my contacts list till I found Lyrs's number.
I phone dialed once twice, three times.
"Hello?" a voice asked. I guess I wasn't really paying attention to the sound of the voice because I didn't realize it wasn't Lyra.
"Hey Lyra. Want to go for an ice cream run. I seriously need it. Dairy Queens by the beach in 10 minutes 'Kay?"
"Sure, bu-" still didn't recognize the wrong gender voice, or the he was about to say something. I still though it was Lyra.
I don't work well on a lack of sleep...
I drove my car to the Dairy Queens and waited at our usual table. I was there five minutes early, so I had already ordered a huge hot fudge sundae.
I was surprised when Cliff walked into the building, but I was more surprised when he sat across from me.
Then it all clicked into place.
"I phoned the wrong number again..." I sighed.
"We-ell I don't think my number is ever the wrong number." he gave me a cocky grin before continuing. "This is the strangest first date I've ever been on." I felt my face heat with embarrassment.
"This is not a date!" I grumbled looking out the window. I didn't think it was possible, but I felt my face heat even more. He just laughed.
"So why did you need this ice cream run so badly?" he asked.
I stared out the window for a few more seconds before I took a deep breath and faced him again. I hesitated for a moment. He was giving my his whole attention. He looked like he genuinely cared. Only dad and Lyra ever looked at me like that. I blinked the tears away.
"You already know why." I snapped.
"You really miss your dad."
"Well yeah! How would you feel if your dad was gone?!"
"I never knew my old man." he said calmly. I bit my lip cursing myself for the millionth time.
"I'm sorry."
"Why. There's nothing to be sorry about. I have a family. I great family." he paused,"Admittedly abusive at times..." he grumbled to himself.
"My dad is-was my only family."
"What about your mom?"
"She died at birth..." I hated telling people about that. It forced me to remember I killed my own mom.
"I'm sorry. So your all alone?"
"No! I have my sister."
"You have a sister."
"Well not technically, but my friend Lyra is practically my sister."
The waitress placed the sundae in front of me before turning her attention to Cliff.
"Would you like anything sir?" she asked.
"I'll have what she's having. It looks good." he replied giving her a lazy smile.
"Your two are lucky you don't have to worry about all those calories." she grumbled walking away.
"You look beautiful Ruth!" I called after her. She just snorted.
"So why are you up this late?" he asked returning his focus to me. "You said something about bad dreams."
"Yeah. It's just stupid." I said pushing a strand of hair that feel out of my sloppy pony tail.
"It doesn't sound stupid. What happened?"
"Why did you agree to meet me? A complete stranger...at an ice cream shop...in the middle of the night."
"You sounded like you really needed someone to talk to."
"Well aren't you perfect." I muttered taking a bit of my ice cream.
"I like to think so." he smirked.
Cliffjumper's POV;
One thing that instantly caught my attention and approval about this girl tonight was her appetite.
It was refreshing. Almost every organic girl orders a salad. JUST a salad! How is that healthy?!
Okay, okay, I admit. Ice cream is not healthy, but really, who doesn't like ice cream. I'll regret eating this later...but for now I'll enjoy.
She still looked uncomfortable with me sitting here. She took a small spoon full and put it in her mouth, it looked like she was trying hard not to get any on her face, but she did.
A younger waitress planted the ice cream in front of me and winked placing an extra napkin beside it.
Her phone number. Well isn't she a nice girl.
Carly pulled out her phone and tried to discretely send a message to her friend Lyra, no doubt an S.O.S. or something.
"Hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to text at the table?" I said, trying hard not to smirk, but failing. I couldn't help it, her whole face went red. I guess I could have stopped there, but wheres the fun in that? "You know, you're pretty cute when your embarrassed." her face went a darker red. She sunk in her chair and tried to hide behind her ice cream.
"But you didn't answer my question. What were your dreams?"