Something Different, 93: Lucky.
Eric Owens.
Eric couldn’t help glancing at Nat.
She was with Ivy, Eva, London and Penelope sitting by the tent eating the food London and Nat brought and Eva’s birthday cake. Nat’s auburn hair was tied into a neat bun and her front hair was pulled back with a head band revealing her flawless skin. Nat and Ivy laughed at something Penelope said.
And Nat’s laugh, well, he couldn’t help but think how amazing it was.
And he couldn’t help but smile.
He shook his head and put the pile of wood he had collected around to make fire to cook the fish Paul caught. Well, he didn’t catch it really, not by using a worm as a bait and hooked it up on a fishing rod’s hook, but it was more of catching it while he was swimming and he screamed like a girl when he felt something slimy “slapping” and swimming in his swimming trunks.
He laughed to himself at the thought. He didn’t even notice Nat came up to him until she pinched his arm. Hard.
“Ow!” he cried.
Nat giggled. “Sorry, I gotta snap you back to reality somehow, you know.”
Eric clucked his tongue out to Nat. “Why’d you pinch me?”
“Like I said,” Nat crossed her arms. “I had to snap you back from day dreaming.”
“No what I meant was, why’d you need me to “stop dreaming”?” Eric asked as he implied the air quotes.
Nat shrugged. “Do you need help with that?” She pointed to the pile of wood on the ground.
Eric tried to hide his smile. “It would break your nail if you don’t be careful.” he teased.
Nat rolled his eyes and smacked him on his arm, “I’ll have you know my nails are strangely strong.”
Eric laughed. “Right, we’ll see.”
“So, do you want help with that or not?” she asked.
“Sure.” Eric replied. “Help me sort them out.”
“Okay!” Nat jumped. “Just tell me what to do.”
“Okay, I just randomly picked these, you see this?” He held out a block of wood that had twigs and dead leaves sticking out of the sides of it.
“Yeah, I see it. And?”
“Well, I want you to break the sticks from here so it would look smart and neat when we burn the lot.” He told Nat.
“Smart and neat?” Nat scoffed. “Since when, Owens?”
Eric laughed, “I don’t know.”
“Alright.” Nat did what she was told.
“Do you miss Mark?” Eric asked suddenly.
Nat looked up at Eric and shrugged, “Yes. But not in that way.”
“Oh.” was his reply.
Nat smiled. “I heard you like someone from school.”
Eric looked down to hide the fact that he blushed scarlet. “No, I don’t. Where’d you hear that?”
“The soccer team.”
“Lies.” Eric told her.
“You sureeeeeee?” Nat poked him with a stick.
Eric laughed and poked her back, “Yes, I’m sure.” He paused. “Well, maybe.”
Nat shrugged. “Suite yourself. But I am going to find out who she is. She must be lucky.” She gave him a smile.
“Why’s that so?”
She shrugged once more, “You’re… let’s just say, different.”
Eric felt his heart skip a beat. “Thanks, Scott. You’re not pretty bad yourself. And good luck with finding out who she is.” Eric winked. And yes, he had to agree with her, she definitely is lucky.
