Chapter 6

Two weeks had passed since that night, and classes were well underway for the year. The first week was rough, to say the least. It had been a while since I had walked to classes, and the weight of the load took its toll on my hip rather quickly. My crutch was my lifeline, carrying my weight and still allowing me to get around with little assistance. Ash would constantly worry since we walked to campus together every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Sal even offered to give me a lift from my apartment and back. I wouldn't have minded if we had similar schedules, but we only shared one class, Behavioral Science, and that was my second class on Tuesdays. For Sal, it was his first class. I much rather let my leg fall off before making him come to campus early just to give me a ride.

Thankfully, by the second week, my body seemed to adjust to the new tedious activity of walking everywhere. Good thing my crutch was collapsible, I could tuck it away in my backpack for when I needed it. I thought for sure it would ease the concern Ash had before, which it did, to a point, but bless the sweet angel that she was, she had a terrible poker face. Every walk to campus, I caught her fret whenever I began to limp in the slightest. Because she knows I hate causing trouble by accepting help, she keeps her opinions on the matter to herself. Sure, I had to leave a whole hour early just to give myself enough time to get to class. For others, it would be about a 15-minute walk. I mean, I could always use an Uber to and from classes, but that could become expensive fast, which meant finding a part-time job would be essential.

Rubbing my face in frustration, I let out a heavy groan while leaning back on a bench in a small courtyard on campus. It was the second week of college, and already, I was feeling the crushing pressure of life decisions, added to homework and a semester project for behavioral science. My head was drumming from the increasingly irksome indecisions I was struggling with, causing a headache to form. Thankfully, I had finished my classes for the day and I could think of nothing more than the sweet, warm embrace of my bed. As I moved away from the bench and adjusted my bag on my back, I heard the sharp honk of an old truck. Following my eyes to the source, an old white Ford sat parked, with its driver rolling down the window. "Hey, Pops!" Larry yelled from his truck, with no shame at disturbing those around him. His welcoming smile encouraged my light jog over.

"Hey, Larry! What are you doing on campus?" As I approached his door, I noticed that his usual free mane was contained in a low ponytail. Stray strands of his brown hair hung loose around his face, directing my eyes to the small black gauges in his ears. "I usually drive through here to avoid the heavier traffic from work. Not to mention the campus is pretty nice around this time when there aren't too many people." Larry was right. While it was a college campus, the administration must have wanted to keep as much nature as they could. Well-kept lawns and numerous flower bushes adorned the campus. Even along the roads, tall trees lined the ways, like a scene in a movie when they introduced a white picket fence community. "What about you? Done with classes for the day?" Larry's voice grabbed my attention and I nodded in response. "Yeah, my last class ended not too long ago. I was actually about to head home."

"Oh, really?" He seemed to sit up further in his seat and rested his forearm along the slit of where the window rises and falls in the truck door. A beckoning half smile curled at the corner of his lips as he leaned closer. "Wanna grab dinner? I'll give you a lift home afterward." As if on queue I felt the emptiness in my stomach and realized I hadn't eaten anything all day. The hunger pangs were causing my stomach to growl like a famish beast. "Food does sound good right about now." I heard the locks on the truck door switch. "Hope in dude! I know of a good diner with killer burgers." Maybe it was the hunger or the fact I hadn't seen Larry in a while, but I was thrilled at the offer. Hurrying over to the passenger side and opening the door, I climbed inside. Larry got his truck roaring to life again as he slowly pulled back onto the main road. I took notice of the bright fluorescence safety vest resting between us, my gaze trailing over to him. He was wearing dark bean jeans, stains of oil and paint, spotted along the legs. His black long-sleeve flannel was rolled up to his elbows, displaying his toned forearms—a dark, rich, double-layered, cherry brown leather braided bracelet wrapped around his wrist.

"I haven't heard from you in a while. School already a pain in the ass?" Larry's question snapped me out of my observations and quickly shifted my attention to the road in front of us. "Uh, something like that. Just takes some getting used to. Been a while since I went to a campus for classes. I never had to worry about that when I did online courses." The heat was starting to pool in my cheeks, both from staring and feeling guilty for not at least texting him. I mean, we are friends now and he's made it clear that he doesn't mind speaking with me. The last time we spoke was the night of Uno. We shared a genuine moment and after he said I could reach out to him any time. Mentally, I was kicking myself for pretty much ghosting him. "Hey, so I want to apologize... for not saying, 'Hi', at least once since the last time we saw each other. I honestly don't have a good excuse, but I do feel terrible about it." My thumbs twiddled together uncomfortably. Larry forced a chuckle and gave me a quick look of confusion before turning back to the road. "Pops, there's nothing to apologize for. Besides, it's not like I reached out either. It's no big deal!"

"I suppose you have a point there. Heh, I guess it's a bit silly since neither of us tried texting each other." I rubbed my arm to ease my nerves. From the corner of my eye, I could have sworn Larry had a puzzled expression as if he were mulling over an argument with himself. Then the chill persona came back. "Right, but besides that, how are things really?"

After some casual conversation, we eventually made it to the diner Lar was talking about. It was small and had an old-fashioned vibe. The bright red lettering on top read "Star's Place." Walking inside was like taking a step into the 70s. Vinyl records and spray-painted galaxies decorated the walls. The floors were checker-tilted, and the wait staff wore white button-up shirts and red pants. "Over here." Larry motioned to an open booth. Walking over we took our seats, not even a minute later a waitress who was exhausted to be there, forced a smile and took our order for drinks. Scanning over my menu quickly, I found they had milkshakes and ordered myself the strawberry flavor. Lar just went with a simple Coke. After the waitress left, I turned to him with a smile, "This place is definitely not what I expected when you mentioned a diner. It's so old-school and vibrant."

"Hah! It's one of a kind here in good ol' Nock Fell. The food is decent, but the burgers and milkshakes are probably the best parts. So, you've already made an excellent selection to start with. Personally, I'm not much of a sweets guy, but I'll indulge in a chocolate milkshake once in a blue moon." He crossed his arms on the table, leaning forward while he spoke. "Well, I'll have to test those facts for myself." A smirk came across my face as the waitress returned with our drinks. As she placed the tall glass of pastel pink and fluffy whipped cloud in front of me, I could feel the saliva flooding my mouth, forcing me to swallow. Before I could attack my drink, we placed the order for our food, watching the waitress jot down everything on her overly used notepad. Once she left us again, my fingers freed my straw from its paper-thin confinement, then placed it into my shake. Glancing up, I noticed Larry watching me with anticipation to try the sweet treat. Shaking my head with a chuckle, I took a sip, feeling the chill quickly fill my mouth, then the sweet splash of flavor. A satisfied hum sang from my soul, my body washed over from the liquid serotonin. A deep laugh came from Larry as he leaned back in his seat, content with my reaction. "I told you it was good!"

"Ok, ok, I'll give you that. This is the best milkshake I've ever had!" I rolled my eyes playfully as I took another sip. For a moment, there was silence, nothing uncomfortable, but it was awkward. Guess that's what happens when you haven't gotten the chance to share the same space alone with someone. "So, Ash said you have been pretty stubborn about sharing rides with Sal to class. Even turning down her offers to pay an Uber for you." Larry's voice was matter-of-fact as he confronted me with the issue I had been avoiding for 2 weeks. My eyes searched for anything else to focus on, anything but the focused umber gaze he was giving me. "Sal's schedule doesn't match with mine and I don't want Ashley spending so much on my rides, especially if they are frequent." Like a child who got in trouble, a pout grew on my face as I took another sip of my drink, a failed attempt at comfort.

A heavy, exaggerated sigh passed his lips as he crossed his arms in front of him. "Jeez, who would have thought you were so damn stubborn, Pops? You know it isn't a bad thing that they want to help you out? We just want to make sure you are alright." His voice was stern but gentle at the same time. It felt like I was being lectured by my mother. "I know. I know they care." My teeth began grazing against the inside of my cheek, the temptation to bite at the flesh growing strong. "But?" He stopped and tilted his head slightly, showing his interest in my answer. "But, I don't want to be a burden..." The stinging pinch of my excuse triggered memories from high school. After my incident, that was pretty much my catchphrase to my friends' group. In a way, I saw it as the reason we drifted so far apart. Self-sabotaging, my therapist told me once. "Hey, none of that!" I flinched in my seat when Larry's voice boomed through my thoughts. Although his tone was raised to capture my attention, it wasn't harsh; instead, it conveyed understanding and a hint of concern. Before I could say anything, our waitress finally returned with our food. Somehow, I had completely forgotten about our orders.

After they placed the meals before us and left us alone again, Larry focused back on me as he ate one of his freshly cooked fries. "Sorry for raising my voice. It just looked like you were going to a dark place there. I've seen Sally get like that a few times before, even I've had my moments."

As he was trying to console me, the guilt from before was still lingering, but now for making things uncomfortable. "No. You're fine and you're right. Guess my mind was beginning to make things difficult." My fingers shuffled through the fries, bringing one to my lips as I took a bite. The salty flavor covered my tongue, allowing a quick second of enjoyment. "It wouldn't happen to have anything with your whole accident from high school, would it? And you can tell me to shut the fuck up if I'm being pushy. I just remember you telling me a bit about your friends."

"It does... I suppose around that time, I started having a skewed way of viewing my issues and how they affected others around me. Therapy has helped to a point, but obviously, I am still struggling. My body just cringes at the thought of asking others for help. I much rather figure things out myself."

"I get that, but you know, technically Ash and Sal offered their help. Meaning, this whole idea of you being a burden to them is bullshit." Larry said as he took another bite from his burger. "We do care, Pops. Helpin' you out isn't the biggest deal you think it is." A sarcastic chuckle slipped out as I ate another fry. The previous guilt trip I was running myself through seemed rather ridiculous, but now it was because I was needlessly making these wonderful people worry for no reason. "Yeah... you're right. Ugh, I should apologize to Ash and Sal for blowing off their offers so much. I know you all mean well and believe me, seeing how much you care IS a big deal." As I mustered a defeated but grateful smile, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth wash over me. In the little time I had with them, these three had shown me just a fraction of their support, and yet, it was greater than anything I had received from my so-called "friends" in high school. They didn't make me feel ashamed or as if I constantly had to walk on eggshells to hide my disability. Everyone always welcomed and treated me fair, never differently.

"I'll talk to Sal about taking him up on his offer to ride to class together on Tuesdays. As for Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I shouldn't need rides too often. My hip has gotten used to the walks thus far, so I don't tire or ache as easily. I should be alright with the morning strolls." I thought out loud, tilting my head from side to side. "What time are your classes on those days?" Larry spoke up from his food. "At 10 am, why do you ask?"

Meeting my eyes, he offered a casual smile and wink. "I can drive you then, Pipsqueak."

Taken aback by his charismatic manner, I could only blurt out the first thing that came to mind. "Say what now?"

((A/N: Hey darlings! Hope you all are well! Hope you are enjoying the story so far. Honestly, I'm struggling a bit as there are some major events I want to get too quickly. But I'm trying to keep a steady pace and build up these relationships without rushing them too much. What do you guys think? Is the pacing ok so far? Or is it too slow? Let me know and thanks again for your support! ))