The Forgotten City

Chapter 4

My friends and I hurry back to the motel. As we get closer to it, the more life seems to come back to the town. A few cars are driving on the quiet road and pulling up into the gas station. I observe a few female students heading to what I realize is a very small library. I see busy moms pulling out of their homes with fussy kids. It all seems so normal, but nothing could dispel the unease seeping into my body.

I run up to the bus. I am totally ready to get out of this creepy little town. No wonder it is called "Forgotten City." I don't understand why people still live here.

"Is it all fixed?" I ask breathlessly.

"No, unfortunately," grumbles Professor Williams. "We still have no idea why it won't start. We have called a mechanic, and he will get here in about two hours." The professor sighs heavily and crosses his arms over his chest.

Tiffany sighs beside me, but it was so much different than the professors.

I look at my BFF and shake my head. I decide to elbow her, before Tiffany did anything she will regret. I know the professor is in his early 30's, and given that he has no social life outside of archaeology and wares no wedding ring, I figure he is single. But it doesn't look good when a student and a professor have a relationship that is anything other than professional.

"Hey!" squeals Tiff.

Ian laughs and then tries to hide it by coughing really loud. Apparently he noticed and thought it was funny.

However, Jason doesn't look like he was paying attention to what I had done. Instead, he is trying hard to look like he is not looking around. I can't tell for who for, or why. I have my suspicions... But it is making me uncomfortable. In the back of my mind I keep hearing Sara telling me that I am not good enough for Jason, and that he deserves better.

I look down at my shoes as I scuff the pavement. Maybe she is right. I am not very pretty. My hair is always a mess. My freckles made me look like I am twelve. Not to mention, my body is more curvy than most girls.

My eyes start to sting and I try to sniff quietly so no one will notice.

"Ali, what's wrong?" Ian calls out, looking at Jason.

As if something switches in his brain, Jason's head swivels to me and says, "Hey, baby. What's wrong? Don't worry, we will be out of here by the afternoon. Why don't we all go get some coffee. That always makes you feel better."

His suggestion for coffee makes me smile. It is always his answer to everything. It is familiar and comforting. He is trying to make me feel better. It won't fix my problem, and by the look on his face, it's clear he has no idea what my problem even is. But with the autumn chill that had been running up my spine, I figure maybe a hot chocolate isn't a bad idea.

So, I take a deep breath and put on a brave smile and say "Sounds good, Jase."

Once again Tiffany, Jason, Ian and I head out. This time in search for a cafe.

We find one a few blocks into town. It is quaint and quiet. There are a few small tables and chairs, covered in red checked table cloths. There are a few bar stools up at the front counter. The big front window is clean and has a red checked curtains to match the tables. It would have been cheerful if not for the oppressing feeling coming from some unseen force.

I spot a small family with a mom and dad and a little girl in blonde pigtails sitting in a corner booth. There are a couple other families spread out.

Jason walks up to the front counter, dragging me behind him.

"I'd like a couple coffees," he says, flirting with the young brunette.

She beams back and asks, "Can I get you anything to go with them?"

"I think that's it for now," he winks.

"I'll bring them right out," she returns.

I feel a knot in my stomach as I watch the exchange between the two of them, and I'm sure they aren't talking about coffee anymore.

Jason slings his arm around my shoulder, "Come on, Ali," he whispers and directs me to a table by the big window. There are enough seats for four.

Shortly after, Ian and Tiffany gravitate over to sit at our table, which I am secretly grateful for.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Tiff asks Ian.

"Well, I say we eat breakfast," suggests Jason.

"I second the motion!" chuckles Ian as he winks at Tiffany.

Tiff took the opportunity to slide her chair over to Ian's and snuggle up next to him. He smiles down at her and put his arm around her shoulder. A little green monster moves in my chest at this new development.

"So, tell me about yourself Ian. I see you in class, and I know you are roommates with Jason, but that's about it. I'd love to know how you got all these rippling muscles," Tiff teases.

Ian chuckles again, making my pulse pick up an extra beat. I swallow hard.

"Well, my parents own a ranch just outside of Colorado Springs. I have an older brother, Dan, and a baby sister, Jessica. She is a senior in high school. Being the youngest, she was always spoiled rotten, but then Dan and I always picked on her too. It was up to us to threaten all her boyfriends," Ian's eyes laser focus on me and winks.

Those dratted butterflies show up again, sending a bright red flush up my pale neck and into my cheeks.

"You are so cute when you are flustered, Ali," whispers Ian, even as Tiffany is eyeing the exchange.

Just then the waitress sashays up to us and leans over to Jason, exposing her chest as much as she dares, and handing Jason his two coffees, winking. He gave her a slow smile as he takes them from her. Then she reaches across the table, brushing Jason as she stretches out to hand Ian three cups.

"Can I get you guys anything?" she asks.

Everyone orders breakfast and as she turns to leave I see her seductively slide her fingers up Jason's body to land on his shoulder. "I'll be back with your orders shortly," she croons. For some reason I feel like Jason is now on the waitress's menu.

As always, being a keen observer, Tiffany also notices the waitresses advances and Jason's reactions. While he watches the brunette walk away, Tiff sends a death glare his way.

Something in my heart twists hard. I can feel the tingle of pricks behind my eyes and know at any moment I will humiliate myself and start to cry.I am pretty sure I have already lost him, and maybe it is for the best. I just don't want to acknowledge it yet. I need a distraction.

"So, how old are you Ian?" I choke out.

"Just turned twenty one last month. Why you askin' Ali? You worried I'm too old for you? How old are you?" He smiles.

My face flushes again. "No, it's not that. I was just curious. And twenty one isn't old," I stutter.

"So, how old are you then?" He asks again, leaning onto the table.

"I'm nineteen," I mutter.

"And your dating a twenty-two year old? You need to be careful that you aren't being taken advantage of by an older man who may break your heart, Ali," he says with the most sincere face. I guess it comes from being a big, protective older brother. He hands me one of the cups and the other to Tiffany. "It's hot chocolate. I thought you may want somethin' more soothing than a bitter coffee, after the morning we've all had," he explains.

My heart melts just like the hot chocolate that passes through my lips. My first sip makes me sigh with pleasure. Ian sure knows the way to a woman's heart.

"Hey," jokes Jason. "It's not like I'm an old man."

"Sorry, Jay. Just tryin' to cheer up you'r girl..." Ian scoffs.

Just then, Sara and Sam, who is still hanging on Ben's arm, walk in. Immediately, Sara's eyes land on the cup of hot chocolate in my hands and the cup of coffee placed in front of me. Sara smirks as she saunters over to our table.

"Hey chubs," she greats. "Not enough sugar for you in one cup?"

My face burns even redder, if that is even possible. I duck my head so no one will see the tears that start to leak.

"I don't know about Jay," Ian responds, "but I think Ali's curves are sexy as hell. Nothin' worse than squeezin' a stick."

Ben looks over at Ian with a huge grin on his face and holds out his fist for him. "I hear ya man!"

Ian bumps Ben's fist and chuckles.

Sara's jaw drops in shock.

Tiffany snickers and winks at me, trying to make me feel better.

Jason just looks uncomfortable; like he isn't sure who he is suppose to defend.

But for me... All I can do is stare at Ian in gratitude. I am sure my heart had stopped beating. If it weren't for those monster truck size butterflies now taking up residence in my chest, I might have been convinced I died right there in the cafe.

Ian slides his sexy half smile over to me and my heart jump starts into overdrive.

Sara drags Samantha and Ben to a table across from us.

Jason keeps sending looks over to Sara, and I am pretty sure he isn't even being careful any more. I am sure that he would believe that he can have me as his "girlfriend" and any other girl he wants as some sort of distraction and that I don't even care. Is this really what I want? To be used as a... well, whatever it is he thinks I am. I'm not sure how I should feel about this.

Our breakfasts come and everyone starts eating.

"Ali, you wanna head to the local library with me?" Ian asks. "We are students after all. May as well figure out the town's history."

"I would love to!" I gush.

For some reason, Ian asking to spend time with me specifically makes me feel special, even if it is just more studying. I'm not sure how much more I can put up with Jason's displays without just breaking up with him. I'm not sure why I haven't already. Maybe I just like suffering...

Jason slides a possessive arm around my waist and sends a look to Ian. "Yeah, man. We'd love to go hang at the library."

Ian reciprocates the hard look with a single nod.