21.

“I can’t believe Professor K blamed that fight on me,” Albert said as he sat with Rayne Elliot and Sheree at a picnic table.
He jabbed a fry into his tiny cup of cheese spread and it snapped in half. They had stopped for lunch after Professor Klein sent Albert and Josh to the campus medical center. Albert had received 4 stitches, where the stick had hit him. Music and the sounds of games and conversation enveloped the atmosphere around him, but he didn't notice any of it.
“Well, technically you were the aggressor,” Sheree said and ate a piece of funnel cake.
Elliot wiped some powdered sugar off of her chin with his thumb and licked his finger. “I bet it felt good to knock that stupid grin off his face though,” he said.
“I wish I was there, you guys should kick him off your team and let me on it,” Rayne said as she stood behind Albert and held an ice pack to the back of his head.
Albert dipped another fry in the cheese and held it up over his head for Rayne. She bit it in half and he popped the other half in his mouth.
“Yeah, it felt good, real good. I just don’t like the fact that she said I started it. If I run my mouth and something bad happens to me because of it, I’m at least man enough to admit I had it coming,” Albert said, gesturing with his hands as he spoke.
“Hold still, before you pop these stitches. How did he get behind you anyway?” Rayne asked as she looked at the gash on the back of his head.
“He didn't, he used his power to pick up one from behind Albert. It was a cowardly move, really” Sheree said, as Elliot handed her a napkin to clean her sugar covered chin.
“Damn girl, have you ever eaten before? You look like you have a serious drug problem, right now,” Rayne joked at Sheree.
A short, high pitched laugh escaped Sheree’s mouth just before her right hand shot over it. Her thumb and index finger were still covered in the sugar and left stains on her nose.
“That’s so much worse," Rayne said and burst into laughter as she tapped her nose with her own index finger.
Sheree looked at herself on her phone and began to laugh as she wiped her face.
“Look, my funnel cake problem is between me and my supplier,” she said, her humorous tone catching everyone off guard.
“Oh my god, your human voice is so pretty, I fucking hate you,” Rayne said and smiled.
Sheree smiled back at Rayne, she had never been complimented by another female before. It was a nice feeling.
“I’ll trade you anything you want for those eyes,” she responded, it was a strange sensation actually trying to be nice to another female or person for that matter.
“Hi, Rayne” a soft female voice called from behind Rayne.
Everyone at the table looked at the newcomer. She was a tall, thin, white girl with more freckles than face and auburn hair. Elliot felt like he knew her from somewhere, but he couldn’t remember where. Rayne, on the other hand, went pale as a corpse when she saw the girl.
“H...Hey.... you,” she stammered.
“I didn't mean to startle you. I was just walking by and I saw you, so I decided to say hello,” the girl said with a wide, innocent smile. She was wearing a yellow, sleeveless dress that showed off the dandelion tattoo on her left shoulder.
“That was nice of you,” Rayne said, her hands beginning to tremble before she stuck them behind her back.
“Are you ok?” Albert asked and stood up beside Rayne.
“Yeah, I’m fine," Rayne said too quickly and stepped between Albert and the girl.
Something flashed in the girl’s eyes when she looked at Albert. It was gone in an instant though.
"Is this the boyfriend you keep going on about? Hi, I'm Amber," the girl said and held out a hand for Albert to shake.
Albert took her hand and looked into her gray eyes. He wasn't sure why, but an extreme dislike for her rose in him.He had the urge to spit in her face.
"I'm Albert, the boyfriend," he said and sat back down.
"Anyway, what can I do for you Amber?" Rayne asked, there was a strange urgency in her voice and posture.
"I was just wondering if you were able to do me that favor I asked you for a few days ago?" she said, still beaming.
"Oh, yeah I did that a few days ago. I thought I texted you about that," Rayne said as her posture relaxed.
"No, I didn't get that message, but it is done?" Amber asked, her voice oddly authoritative.
"Completely," Rayne said confidently and rested an arm on Albert's shoulder.
"Okay, well that makes me feel better," Amber said and walked away without saying anything more.
"Was that as awkward for you as it was to watch?" Elliot asked as he wiped more powder from Sheree’s cheek.
"Definitely," Albert said and looked back at Amber.
"So, Cokie the Clown, are you performing in the festival?" Rayne asked Sheree and smirked weakly.
“Hey, this judgment is going to send me running straight into my addiction,” Sheree said and bit another piece of funnel cake, spilling sugar on the top of her shirt.
“If we ever get this for you again, I’m getting you a bib,” Elliot said and brushed her shirt for her.
Rayne tried to stay in the moment and enjoy herself, but she knew the lie she had just told was going to be found out. She wasn’t even sure if her boss had actually believed her just now. If she had then hopefully Rayne would be okay. She knew better than to feel safe and believe that though. She had actually chosen her target over her assignment and one day she was going to have to answer for it.
“What’s going on in that warped head of yours?” Albert asked and kissed her on the side of her face.
“I’m just shocked that Sheree has a sense of humor,” Rayne lied.
Albert was another person she was going to have to explain herself to at some point. She hated thinking about the way he would respond when she did. Yeah, he was her boyfriend now, but would he stay with her once he found out the truth? Rayne ran her fingers through her hair as she thought about him walking out on her. Then she would be alone like she was before her boss took her in. She couldn’t see herself going back to that life. Then again, her boss would probably kill her for lying to her.
“You know I’m here if you need to talk about something right?” Albert asked and took her hands in his.
“Yeah, that’s why I love you,” Rayne said before she realized she was saying it.
Every eye at the table was pointed at her all of a sudden. She covered her, now beet red, face with her hands and stared at the ground. She was mortified. It was one thing to say that out loud, but to do it in public in front of other people was so much worse. She wanted to get up, run back to her room and hide under her bed.
Albert hugged her as tightly as he could. “I love you too,” he said and raised her face up to his.
Their kiss was soft and sweet enough to make Rayne forget about the last few minutes, and just be present with the boy she loved.

Chapter end