Pizza
921 Words
"Wow, nice car" Charlotte commented as they got into Carter's black Camaro.
"Thanks!" He smiled. "Sorry for k********g you from your friends. I just thought it might be nice for us to get to know each other a little."
"Yeah, somewhere where the bell doesn't interrupt us," Charlotte added shyly.
"Exactly!" Carter laughed.
"I think you're really going to like this place. It's called Rossi's. Authentic Italian food." He told her.
"Sounds amazing"
The drive into town didn't take long, Charlotte noted. The pizza place was a two-story stone building on Main Street. A red light in the window flashed the word pizza.
"My lady" Carter swung the door open gesturing her in. A little bell rang, announcing their presence.
Charlotte was struck by the delicious smell of fresh bread and cheese.
"Welcome to Rossi's. What can I get you?" The teenage boy at the counter greeted.
"What kind of pizza do you like?" Carter asked her.
"Pepperoni"
"Ok, pepperoni it is!"
They ordered their pizza and sat down. A few feet away there was a line of toy vending machines. Charlotte hadn't noticed them when they walked in.
"I haven't seen those in forever!" She commented.
"Really? You should get something. Maybe a fake tattoo." Carter laughed.
"I am not putting a butterfly on my ankle or anywhere else for that matter." Charlotte scoffed.
"No of course not. That was so early 2000's." He said feigning seriousness.
"Ah ha!" She exclaimed pulling two quarters from her pocket.
Carter studied her carefully as she strode over to the bouncy ball machine and put the quarters in. The gears shifted and a galaxy-colored bouncy ball started sliding down the twisting ramp.
Charlotte retrieved the ball, walking back to the table triumphantly.
"Very nice" Carter laughed.
Charlotte grinned at him from across the table. She was so pretty when she smiled.
"I hope this doesn't sound too sappy but I like hanging out with you Charlotte. I feel like I've known you for years."
"Not at all! I feel that way too!" Charlotte replied, blushing at her eagerness. She was not doing a good job of playing cool.
Carter smiled, reaching across the table to brush her hair behind her ear.
"Here's your pizza" the teenager announced.
Charlotte and Carter awkwardly pulled away from each other so he could place the pizza on the table.
"Thanks, man," Carter said, clearing his throat.
"You're going to love this," He said, dishing a piece of the pan and handing it to her.
"You keep saying that" Charlotte teased.
"Yeah, yeah just try it"
Charlotte obediently took a bite of the pizza. It was amazing. The sauce tasted fresh and flavorful.
"This is so good" Charlotte practically moaned.
"Told ya"
Charlotte ate three whole pieces. It had been a while since she'd had a good meal. Afterward, her stomach was so full. She felt like a glutton.
"So have you lived here your whole life?" Charlotte asked.
"Yep"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Absolutely" He nodded.
"Danny said these woods are dangerous. But what makes them so dangerous? Is it because there are animals out there?" She questioned.
"Uh, yeah. It can be dangerous. Every now and then a hiker goes missing. Sometimes they get lost, but yeah sometimes it's because of an animal attack. There are a lot of predators out here, mountain lions, bears, wolves..." He replied.
"I saw a bear the other day and I've seen a wolf too," Charlotte explained.
"You should stay out of the woods Charlotte. Like Danny said, it's dangerous. Those animals could have killed you."
He looked genuinely concerned. Charlotte felt kind of bad for worrying him.
"I'll be more careful." She assured him.
"Thank you" Carter sighed in relief. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah"
Carter paid for the food and then drove her back to her foster parent's house.
"Thanks for taking me out for pizza"
"No problem! I just wish we could hang out longer." Carter answered.
"Me too" Charlotte sighed. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school. Bye Carter!"
Charlotte was reaching for the door handle when she felt his hand wrap around her arm to stop her. She turned back to him, confused. Carter was leaning toward her slightly and when she turned to look at him, he pressed his lips against hers. My God, he was a good kisser Charlotte thought as he kissed her breathless.
He pulled away all too soon and Charlotte found herself missing the feel of his lips against hers.
"Bye Charlotte"
Charlotte stepped out of his car in a haze and watched as he drove away.
"Wow, must have been some shopping trip."
Charlotte yelped in surprise, spinning around.
Danny was staring her down from the porch. His blue eyes looking so judgmental.
"It wasn't like that!" Charlotte protested. She knew what it must look like. Earlier she told him that she was going shopping with Amelia and Madison and now she shows up with a boy. A boy who just kissed her in the driveway.
"Whatever, I don't care what you do. You don't have to lie about it."
Before she could explain, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the house.
"Great" Charlotte muttered to herself. Now Danny thought she was a liar.
*** GIO ***
Gio had trouble sleeping that night. He normally had no problem sleeping on the forest floor underneath a blanket of stars but tonight was different.
He couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that hung over him.
- Writer
