Next To You

Pushing The Limit

Another two weeks passed, leaves were falling, and there was a cold wind blowing as Mya and Heather walked to school together. Honora was in the school courtyard and appeared to be waiting for someone. Eoin came walking from another direction as he was looking down at his phone. Honora called out to him.

He heard her and greeted her politely, "oh, hey Kelly, what's up?"

She playfully scolded him, "Eoin, how many times must I tell you, call me Honora. I was wondering if you'd like to eat lunch with me, my mother gave me too much food in my lunch bag again. I keep telling her that I can't eat that much, but she keeps forgetting."

Mya could tell he wanted to tell her no, so she walked toward them. Heather knew what she was planning and tried to stop her, but Mya ignored her protests.

"I'm sure he'd love to have lunch with you Honora, but he's already made plans to have lunch with Heather and I today," Mya smiled mischievously.

Honora glared them down, and with a flip of her long black curls, she walked away huffing and puffing.

Eoin breathed a sigh of relief, "thanks a million, how can I ever repay you?"

"Oh, it's no big deal, I could see you were looking for a way out the moment she waved you down, we all know how she is. But you should have lunch with us today, it'll be fun!" Mya patted his arm and walked toward a clearly annoyed Heather.

Eoin chuckled, "I'm not so sure Heather agrees with you."

Heather rolled her eyes, "it makes no difference to me, I actually have something to do at lunch today."

"Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that. Well, you can still have lunch with me if you want to Eoin. I'll leave that up to you though, you don't have to if you don't want to" Mya fiddled with a little clip-on cat charm hanging from her bag and started walking off with Heather.

He then noticed Heather had the same clip-on hanging from her bag. He did think Mya was nice and thought maybe he could learn more about the two of them.

"Actually, it does sound fun, I think I'll take you up on your offer," Eoin smiled warmly at her.

Mya's face lit up, she had always wanted to know what it would be like to have lunch with a popular guy like Eoin. Heather remained silent and just kept her distance.

Lunch time finally came, and Eoin found Mya sitting at a corner table in the cafeteria. She was eating her lunch and studying a textbook. He felt everyone staring at him as he made his way across the room to where she was sitting.

He set his lunch on the table and sat next to her, "so what are you up to?"

"I was supposed to read chapter 10 in my history book last night, but instead, I stayed up late making a banner for our fundraiser, for the student leadership club," she covered a yawn and watched person after person pass by her table just to say hi to Eoin.

She felt inferior and insignificant as he nodded to people and shook hands with some of them. She didn't think he was even paying attention to her.

He took a bite of his apple then looked over at her, "ah, I see. I think I had that class last semester, it can be tough and a little demanding, but you look like you got a handle on it. So, what do you like to do for fun?"

Mya was stunned he was even interested, "really? You're not going to ask me more questions about Heather?"

"No, I said yes to having lunch with you, I want to talk about you, of course I want to get to know Heather, but I'm not inconsiderate," Eoin winked and smiled charmingly.

So they talked and laughed, sharing stories with each other. Heather came walking in and saw how much they were enjoying each other's company. She had hoped they would've been finished by the time she had come to eat lunch with Mya, but there was no doubt they were having fun. She couldn't help but feel like she would just be a third wheel, so she decided to go to the library for the remainder of lunch.

After school, Heather sat in the courtyard to wait for Mya. Eoin was passing by on his way to basketball practice when he saw her there.

"Hey there, I wish you would've had lunch with us."

Heather answered without looking up from her notes, "I think I would've just killed the mood between you two, you seemed like you were having fun."

Eoin looked at her skeptically, "I'm sure that's not true. I would've loved getting to know you better."

Heather shook her head, "you can't possibly know that, I'm afraid I'm just a very dull person, all I do is study and work... in the library."

"I highly doubt that, I'm sure there is more to you than that, and I'd like to find out what. See you tomorrow, Ms. Librarian."

Heather groaned as she watched him walk away, and thought to herself, "he sure is persistent."

"Who is?" Mya asked as she walked up to her.

Heather realized she had said it out loud and turned red, "that Flannery guy, and it's really getting on my nerves."

"Would it really be so horrible to get to know him? He's really nice."

"I just don't have the time Mya."

"You always say that, aren't you exhausted from all of it? He didn't ask about you once while he ate with me, he was actually interested in what I had to say, you should give him a chance," Mya smiled brightly.

The following week, Heather was working in the library again. Eoin walked in as she was setting up a stepladder, to put books away on the top shelf. He took his usual spot at one of the tables nearby and pulled a textbook out to study and catch up on some school work. He kept glancing over at her and wondered what was on her mind. Ivan came walking in and greeted her warmly, then they started chatting. She said something and he laughed. Eoin couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

After she helped Ivan find a book and check it out to him, she returned to her task of putting books away on the top shelf, when she suddenly slipped on the top step of the stepladder. Eoin slid across the table and ran up behind her, catching her firmly in his arms. She thought for sure she was going to hit the floor. She had been holding her breath as she fell, but was surprised to feel warm, strong arms holding her. She looked up and saw Eoin's worried expression.

She blushed and shyly hopped out of his arms, "uh... thank you for catching me."

Eoin's worried expression broke into a smile, "I'm just glad you're okay."

Heather's blush deepened, "I'll just put this away before anymore accidents happen."

"That's probably wise, here, let me do it for you," Eoin held out his hand.

"Oh...okay," she handed it to him and showed him where to put it.

As days went by, he thought he might get closer to her. She was less cold to him, but she still kept to herself.

One Saturday evening, Eoin had just finished eating at the Lucky Shamrock Diner with some friends from the basketball team, and was halfway home, when he realized he had forgotten his wallet and turned back.

Heather had just finished her shift at the Fitzwalters' Gym. She stopped at the diner on her way home. Everyone that worked there knew her, and the older folks had known her parents from many years before. She was well acquainted with most of the business owners of the small town of North Ridge, because she had spent half her life there.

She was seated at the counter, sipping tea, and catching up on some reading, when Eoin came walking in. She dropped her book in surprise and crouched down to retrieve it. He was at the other end of the counter, next to the cash register, talking to Lana the manager, to ask if someone had picked up his wallet and turned it in to her.

"Bonnie just picked one up before she clocked out, let me go get it and see if it's yours," Lana stepped into the back.

While Eoin was waiting, he glanced over at Heather's end of the counter and spotted her, "Heather?"

Heather cursed under her breath and covered her face in embarrassment, "yes, it's me. Don't look so surprised, it's a small town."

Eoin smiled in amusement and walked over to her, "I beg your pardon, but you're the one who said all you do is study and work in the library, wouldn't this make you a liar?"

"I study here, so technically, not lying," Heather stated firmly.

"Even so, you've given me reason to suspect you actually do normal things outside of school, and technically, this would be considered hanging out," Eoin replied, smugly stroking his chin.

Heather hid a smile, "you think you're so brilliant, don't you Flannery? You reek of arrogance."

Eoin chuckled heartily. Her attempt at getting him to leave her alone had failed.

Lana returned with Eoin's wallet, "here you go Eoin... oh, you two know each other?"

Eoin was about to speak, but Heather cut him off, "no, not really. We just go to the same school, that's all."

She pulled out her wallet, paid for her tea and tip, grabbed her book and bag, then got up to leave.

"Thank you Lana, wait up Heather!" he quickly caught up and opened the door for her.

Lana laughed to herself as she observed the two of them, "oh, to be young again."

Eoin walked down the street next to Heather, "I was hoping we could be friends, after I saved you from that nasty fall."

"Sure, it was convenient you happened to be there, and I already thanked you, but I would hardly call that saving me, and it doesn't mean I have to be friends with you," Heather held her book close to her chest and stared straight ahead.

"Why don't you like me Heather? I've been nothing but nice to you," Eoin was becoming frustrated.

Heather came to a frigid halt, "why do you want to be friends with me so badly? I'm a nobody, don't you have enough friends already?"

Eoin was at a loss for words, "I... I guess I don't really know."

"Let me see if I can clarify this for you, you can't stand the idea of someone not liking you, you're Eoin Flannery, everyone loves you, yet I'm the one person you've met that doesn't fall into line with everyone else," Heather's eyes were full of fire.

Eoin was speechless, no one had put it to him so bluntly before. He figured she was probably right. He also had the feeling she was speaking from past experiences.

"Touché Ms. Librarian, that cuts deep. I guess that makes you a rebel, hope you're happy," Eoin had stopped in his tracks and stared down at the damp pavement. She couldn't stand it.

She awkwardly rubbed her neck and sighed deeply, "no, I'm not. I may have taken it a little too far, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. I'm sorry, Flannery."

Eoin watched her expression soften and thought it was cute, "it's okay, I may have pushed the wrong buttons, I know I'm too forward, and I'll admit I am used to getting along with everyone. I suppose originally that could be what had drawn me to you, but I'm also very curious about you."

Heather just stared up blankly at him, puzzled. Eoin loved her eyes, and could probably stare into them all day, but he had already overstepped his boundaries with her for the day.

"I should get going, I'll see you at school," she shifted her bag to the other shoulder and started walking away.

"Wait, would you at least let me walk you home?" Eoin wasn't ready to say goodnight yet.

She bit her lip nervously, "no, it's okay, I can walk by myself."

"Would you at least let me walk you part of the way?" he was determined.

Heather sighed, "you don't give up easily, do you?"

"Not usually," He smirked.

"Ugh, fine, you can walk me to the bridge, if it means you'll give it a rest."

Eoin smiled triumphantly and they made their way past all the businesses. She snuggled into her sweater, there was a chill in the air. He offered her his jacket, but she politely refused and insisted she was fine.

"You don't like owing anyone, do you?" he inquired curiously.

"No, I don't. Why ask for help with things one can easily do themselves? It's pointless really," she had her arms folded across her chest for warmth.

Eoin chuckled, "even I know one person can't do everything alone, sometimes having help from others makes tasks more fun and less time-consuming."

"So what? Are you on the debate team or something?" Heather retorted.

"Actually, I was, for two years, is that a bad thing?" Eoin teased.

Heather pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "it is if people want to win arguments over you, I bet people hate that about you."

"Probably, but I just did it to try it out, and I actually thought it was fun. I get into debates with my little sister all the time," he put his hands in his pockets and slowed to a leisurely pace.

"I understand trying new things, I can't even count all the clubs and teams I've been on since I've been in North Ridge, well actually, I could, but that's besides the point. The point is I've yet to find something I truly enjoy doing," Heather ran her hand along a wooden fence, lost in thought.

"You should check out the Young Humanitarians club, it's a great group of people that help out the school and community. I'm a co-founder of it with Ivan, it's a lot of fun. We hope to make it a permanent thing."

Heather shrugged, "I'm sorry, but my plate is full as it is, I'm not sure I have time for anything else."

Eoin didn't say anything else about it, he had a feeling Heather would just keep shooting him down and make excuses. Finally they reached the bridge, they both came to a halt.

"Uh, do you always walk this way?" Eoin was referring to the overgrown thorn bushes and the bridge that seemed to be falling apart.

"I don't like taking this way, but it's shorter and quicker than the other way," Heather put her book in her bag, keeping to herself that the other way would lead right to the front gates of her grandparents' mansion. She sighed, "I wish someone would fix it already, but people seem to have forgotten that this bridge even exists."

What she said had given him an idea, but he wanted to run it by his club first.

"Well you don't have to worry about it, you can go now. You walked me to the bridge, your job is done," Heather shooed him away, and carefully stepped around the loose boards, avoiding the railings all together.

Eoin didn't like it, "you're really walking across this death trap?"

"It's fine, I'm being careful" she snapped.

"It doesn't matter how careful you are! If it's going to collapse, it's going to collapse, hence the term death trap!" he was anxious.

Heather gazed defiantly at him as she took another step, a board cracked, but she jumped before her foot went all the way through. Other than that, she made it to the other side without further incident. Eoin shook his head at her.

"And you say I'm reckless! At least I'm not putting myself or anyone in danger!" he shouted across the way.

Heather paid no heed to his fussing, "goodnight Flannery!"

Eoin couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. He wished there was something he could do to make her listen. She just kept walking, no matter how much he shouted at her.

Heather walked up the long driveway to her grandparents' mansion, the guard greeted her as she walked by his post. When she entered the house, her grandmother met her in the hallway.

"Where have you been? Dinner was an hour ago," Fiona O'Reilly demanded.

"I was studying grandmother, then I walked home," Heather started climbing the stairs.

"Why didn't you call Connelly to come pick you up? It's his job, Heather," Fiona added in frustration.

"It's not that far, it would've been a waste to drive such a short distance," Heather was annoyed.

Fiona sighed dramatically, "you let us decide if it's a waste or not young lady! What if something horrible happened to you? It's unacceptable for a young girl to be walking around alone after dark."

"What's the worst that could happen here? A mosquito bite? Come on, nothing exciting ever happens around here," Heather didn't stay to hear anymore, she ran up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.

Her grandparents just wanted to control her, and she would have none of it. That's why they hired Connelly to keep tabs on her. If she acted out even a little, she would be reprimanded. That's why she avoided Connelly as much as possible, knowing he would just snitch on her to her grandparents.

She got ready for bed, then laid on the floor of her bedroom to finish some homework. She consumed herself in studying and working, because the better her grades were, the better her chances of getting into a high ranking university. The more money she saved for herself, the further she could move away. She wanted to get as far away as possible, so they couldn't control her anymore. All she focused on was gaining her independence, and little by little, she felt like she was inching closer to her goal.