WILDFIRE

CHAPTER TWO:

CHAPTER TWO:

TOBY POV:

I pulled out my cell phone from my back pocket and I started to dial the number that she put on my arm. On the third ring, she picked up. She answered in a whisper, she said “ Hello?”

I said “hey, Is this Aria Moon?”

She replied “ Yes, who is asking?”

I replied “this is Toby Dodger, the guy you met in the woods today.” I was kind of nervous that she might have already forgotten me. I started to think, am I really that forgettable? But to my relief, she said “hey, hold on.” With that, I heard movement on the other side of the phone. And she came back and got on the phone “I’m back.”

I asked “hey is this a bad time?”

She replied “ No, I wasn’t sure that you would call me, that is all.”

I asked “why wouldn’t I call you? And hey, why did you act weird when we got to my dad’s work?”

Aria waited a minute before responding. I honestly thought she hung up on me, but no, she said “I will explain that at a different time.”

I asked “hey, can we hang out again tomorrow?”

Aria replied, “I don’t know if I can.”

I replied, “I really want to hang out with you.” I was really looking forward to hanging out and seeing her again.

Aria said “ Okay, how about this? Meet me at my house and we can go hiking. Say noonish?”

I replied “okay, no problem. I will see you at your house tomorrow.”

She replied “ OK, see you tomorrow. Well, I have to go. See you tomorrow.”

I said “okay.” Just then I heard her say “shit.” I think she forgot to hang up the phone because I heard a door open and a guy say “it is time for you to give me what I want.”

Aria said “no, not going to happen.” It sounded like she was crying when she said this. The guy, you could hear plain as day, was very angry. The man then said “I told you were going to regret telling me NO.” After that, I heard a noise. I have absolutely no idea what I was hearing. I know I heard her crying and saying “please stop.” That is when the call was dropped. Thinking she finally noticed I was still on the phone with her. I was now very worried about her. I don't know who that was and what the hell happened. But I vowed I would protect her. The first time I saw her, I noticed her eyes looked dull and lifeless. They were ice blue, with dark brown hair. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I don’t know if I should tell my dad what I heard or not. I don’t know if I should wait for her to explain what happened. All I know is that I was not going to be able to sleep because my thoughts kept running back to her. My mom yelled to me “Toby, dinner time.” So I got off my bed and went downstairs. My mom was bringing the food to the table. I went to the kitchen to grab the rest of the food. My mom is nice and kind until you piss her off, or mess with me or my dad. She is really furious. When I was a little, I was always around my dad because he was a sheriff. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be just like him. He is firm, but fair. He will listen to everyone and everyone’s side no matter what. And he would never allow any female to be hurt. Like let’s say my mom was being assaulted, he would move heaven and earth to get her justice and comfort her. When I sat down at the table, my phone dings. I looked at my phone. It was Taylor. Taylor is my friend, but I think she likes me, but I don’t like her like that. I like her as a friend, nothing more. Yes, I am a guy, and sometimes I do stupid s**t exactly when I am drinking at a party with my friends. And no, my dad doesn’t know I drink and I like to keep it that way. If he ever found out, I would be six feet under the ground. I never want to disappoint my mom or my dad. They are the only two people I look up to even till this day. My mom is a nurse and an er. And my dad, well you know all about him. Anyways, when my mom sat down she noticed me looking at my phone and she snapped “Toby, put your phone away while we are eating.”

I said “but mom, I didn’t even text back.”

My mom said “did I stutter ?'' When I say now you do it no ifs, ands, or buts. Put it away or get it taken away. You are your choice.”

I said “yes, ma’am.” I put my phone away. I knew my mom was not in the mood when she said that. She is normally joking and messing around but it is probably something to do with that. Maybe it is because of her patience. But my family normally eats dinner together. Sometimes, dad has an emergency where he has no choice about whether to be at work, or I have football or basketball practice or a game. Or my mom is running late because of her replacement from work. A replacement is like they have to wait until the other person comes in or they are stuck there. But anyway. My mom asked “Jim, how was it work? Anything interesting happen?”

My dad said “no, other than I caught your son staring at a girl.” He smirked at me. I smiled, thinking of Aria. My mom said “ Oh really, son, didn't we tell you staring is rude? And what is this young lady’s name that has caught our son’s eye?”

I answered, “Her name is Aria.” I then explained everything that happened. My parents were smiling. The only thing I didn’t share was what I heard on the phone when she thought she had hung up.

My mom said “well, I am glad you are finally getting back out there after Jade. I am happy for you.”

I replied “thank you mom. I am hoping she likes me back.I mean I feel connected to her, where I want to protect her, love her and be there for her when she needs someone to be there.”

My dad said “ Look, our boy is finally in love. I mean actually in love. Son, did you ever feel like this towards Jade?”

I said “not this strongly. Hell I didn’t really care that she cheated on me with one of Taylor’s friends. I mean, yeah it hurt, but I guess you guys were right. Well, you are always right. Thank you both for being there for me.”

My dad said “we will always be there for you, even if you mess up. You can always come talk to us.” After that, we finished eating. I was starting to do dishes while my mom was bringing them in from the dining room table. I don’t mind helping my family out around the house. Yes, don’t get me wrong, we have our arguments but we always talk them out. What can I say? I am a hot head. Once I was done with the dishes and helped with cleaning up, I checked my phone and I had 17 missed text messages. 1 was from Mike, 2 from Brian, 1 from Marie, 1 from Jack, 2 from Tori and the last 10 from Taylor. I didn't really want to bother texting Taylor. So I texted Mike. I said “hey what is up?”

Mike said “party at Taylor’s house. You want to come?”

I said “sure, let me talk to my parents first.”

Mike replied, “You're such a good little boy.”

I replied “all because I don’t do stupid s**t to f**k up my future doesn’t mean shit.”

Mike replied “I know, I was just busting your balls.”

I then got off my phone and walked towards the living room where my dad was. I asked “hey dad, by any chance can I go to a party at my friend's house? I will be home before 1.”

My dad said “ Sure, don’t do anything stupid. No drinking, no driving, understood?”

I said “ Yes, Thank you dad.” I gave him a hug and I went upstairs and got ready to go. I then had the idea of inviting Aria. So I texted. I said “hey Aria. Do you want to go to a party with me?”

She texted about 5 minutes later and said “Can’t, sorry. Raincheck.” That was all she replied. I was a little disappointed but I understood. But with that, I finished and left the house and made it to Taylor’s house. Taylor was outside. She saw me and came up to me. She tried to kiss me on my lips but I dodged her. I have told her several times that I was not interested in her that way. Yes, we hooked up a very long time ago before I met Jade. Taylor said “Toby, what is wrong? You haven’t been talking to me recently. Did I do something wrong?”

I said “Taylor, I have told you this time and time again. I am not into you. We had s*x once. We were both drunk. I am sorry if I ever led you on. That was not my intention. But you need to stop trying to kiss me and hold my hand because it will not happen. With that, I said, I am going to find Mike and everyone.” With that, I walked around her. I felt bad that I hurt her, but she really needs to learn because I am not into her. It was a really big mistake because she is really clingy. No wonder why Jack left her. But they still remained friends. I have absolutely no clue why. That is his thing. He hates hurting people if he doesn’t have to. I walked around the house. I finally found Mike and everyone by the pool talking and laughing. Marie saw me and said “ Well, finally, you showed up. What took you so long?”

I replied “well, I ran into Taylor out front. She won't stop clinging to me. She is honestly starting to annoy me.Jack, I don’t how you can be friends with your Ex. Dude, she is clingy as s**t. How can you get her to stop being that way towards you?”

Jack said “I just ignored her. She will leave you alone soon. Plus, it helps that I have a new girl now, and Taylor is scared of her. So she won't mess with her at all. So yeah. I told you not to get s**t face drunk. But you didn’t listen to me, so, lesson learned.” I just nodded my head and I got a drink. I was listening to my friends bicker. I was smiling. I noticed Tori looking at me weirdly. And I asked “what?”

Tori said “you look really happy. Is there someone that is making you like this? You haven’t smiled like that in a very long time.” And everyone started to look at me, waiting for my answer.

I replied “well, there might be this girl. I met her today.”

Tori squealed and said “ Oh my… you have to tell us more. Every single detail, right now.”

I said “well her name is Aria. I met her while I was riding Skylite, in the woods. She was actually hiking. I got bucked off, I got lost, she helped me get back to town. We are seeing each other tomorrow at noon. And I honestly can't see her again. She has icy blue eyes and dark brown hair, about 5’3” maybe. I can’t get her eyes out of my head. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since I met her. She is beautiful.”

Tori said “wow, well I will be rooting for you. Just don’t f**k it up if you get the chance to be with her. Where is she from?”

I answered “ Here. But I had never seen her before. I would have remembered.” Tori just nodded and then went back to her conversation with Jack and Mike. After, I got a good buzz going. I decided to start heading home. I said goodbye. When I was on my way out, I saw Taylor sitting near my car. I said “ Hey, I am going home. Please step away from my car. I have to get up early tomorrow.”

Taylor said “well…well… I.. will not….give up on you. I will get you to mind.” I just ignored her because she was clearly drunk. So I walked around her and got into my car. I started it up and I went home. I got home just before 11:30pm, my dad was still up. I walked inside and he asked “how did the party go?”

I said “it was okay. I am going to bed. Good night dad.” I went up stairs, I set my alarm, and I laid on the bed. I was like a light.