Lance realized he was tied with Rye at the moment but he also realized that he was faster on land rather than water and began to drift behind slightly.
Elsie tilted her head, contemplating the question. "No," she confessed softly. "I've never cared about anyone in that way. I guess I just got used to being alone." She let out a small, sad laugh, looking away.
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"That's surprising. I could've sworn you had a boyfriend…or girlfriend."
He says running his hands through his curly hair, looking down at the ground, then back at her.
"Nope," Elsie sighed dramatically. "I travel down a lonely road."
Rye knew she was close, so she decided not to even see if Lance was behind or up front.reaching out her hand she felt something hard. Popping out of the water she began to climb the rock. "I win! I'm the winner!" She jumped up and down and waited for Lance to catch up. Rye couldn't believe she won, it was a rare thing.
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He let out a little laugh, his white smile showing quite a bit before it slowly disappeared. "Do at least have a friend or two?"
Lance playfully huffed and got on the rock when he made it, "Okay Rye, that means youuuu're the boss," he said pointing a finger at her.
"Indeed I am." Rye put her hands on her hips. Her eyes scanned over Lance and she laughed. They both looked ridiculous. "Hm, what should o have the popular Lance do first?" Honestly Rye had no idea. "I want to ride the carousel at the park and you have to pay." She hadn't done that since she was a child, but it sounded like fun. Plus it would be funny to see the looks on people's faces. They might even run into Elsie and Levi while there.
Oh! He laughed. That's a good sign this is going well, isn't it? "I hang out with a lot of people, but I'm only really close to this one girl– Hannah," Elsie shrugged. "So, you only have Rye, right? Have you guys been friends a long time? I dunno; you two just seem close."
"Sounds good," Lance responded with a small laugh, "The carousel…God It's been ages since I've ride one…" he said, smiling fondly.
"Same!" Rye yelled as she jumped of the rock and back into the water. She had to swim all the way back since that's where her phone was. "Come on." She waved him in after her. Just then Rye heard a yell. "Hey, you're not allowed to swim in there!" It was quite far off but she heard it. "Oh no. Lance hurry!" Rye began to swim back as fast as she could. Maybe I should try out for the swim team. It took a few minutes but she soon reached shore, and the guy had gotten closer. Rye bounced up and down waiting for Lance.
Lance quickly followed, his wallet, phone, and bag were over on shore, he made it a minute after Rye and picked up his stuff. He then grinned at Rye, "Lets go, shall we?"
"We shall." Grabbing his hand she started running back towards the park, the man running after them. Rye just laughed, she hasn't had this much fun in a while. "Come on." The man behind them soon gave up and Rye slowed down. She let go of Lance's hand. "Well, that was exhilarating." Rye breathed heavily, but still had a smile on her face.
Lance smiled and laughed, "Yeah, very exhilarating…" he confirmed, out of breath as he sat down for a minute on the grass to catch his breath.
Water puddles were left under them. Rye felt her neck and sighed. Still there. If she lost this necklace, it wouldn't matter how long it took she would search until she found it. "I need water." They were close to the park, so it was fine to take a break. It's beautiful at this time of day. There was about two hours of daylight left. "I have another thing I want you to do."
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"Uhm…yeah we've been friends ever since i…." He trailed off as his expression softened. But not in a good calm way. More a troubling way than anything. Yeah, his class was warned when he was coming. He was a pretty big deal. The students were made aware of his "issues" and the fact that he had just got out of a mental ward. And word spread like wildfire. So it got around to the whole school. There was no way she couldn't know about it….
Lance looked over at Rye, “And what is that?” He asked, curiously.
"I want you to come with me to a special place and watch the sunset. Levi will be coming as well though." Speaking of which. Hey, how are things? Are we still going to watch the sunset? "Send. Actually, I change my mind sorry. But if your willing, even though it would be tomorrow would you want to walk me home from school?" Now that she was out of the water and the sun wasn't as warm, Rye started to get a bit cold. This is a time she wished Levi was here. He would have told she shouldn't have jumped in the river because this would happen. He was always looking out for her.
“Yeah of course,” Lance replied, with a smile, “So how long have you known Levi?”
"Since 6th grade. We both have been through a lot." Today was their special day, so Rye was going to save the sunset for them. How was it going on his side? In the distance was the carousel. Many fake animals moving up and down. "You ready to pay for a ride?" Rye began to run over, when the person running the machine stopped her. "Sorry, you can't go on." The lady said with a monotone voice. A frown on her face, she looked like she hated this. "You're all wet." She looked Rye up and down. "No one else is riding, come on please." With a sigh she gestured to a sign hanging on the fence. "Great." Rye crossed her arms a bit disappointed.
"Ah… that's nice," Elsie stated, not mentioning the pause. Of course, she knew about where he had been before; it was common knowledge in the school. Though she didn't judge him based off of that, since she didn't know what happened. Besides, he paused at the end instead of saying it, so he must not want to talk about it. Which was fine with her.
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"how about you? With Hannah?" He turns from facing her to look around at his surroundings.
They had all seemingly disappeared around him as he was talking to her. They weren't even talking about anything really fun or anything. Just each others friends and if they liked someone. But she wasnt a judgy or mean person. Though for all he knew, she could be Hitler incarnate. But right now, he felt really calm and relaxed. He could be himself. Though he was never acting for anyone. How he was around people….well, that was himself. He hated putting on acts for others. He was going to be rude and quiet if he wanted to be. And he was going to be happy and cheerful if he wanted to. But around everyone, he was always really tense. Even around this girl when they first met. But he was getting more and more relaxed…. and it showed.
Lance followed her and when they got rejected, he sighed, “Well that’s too bad…” he said to Rye, “Is there anything else you want to do?” He asked.
The sun was already setting so ther wasn't much to do. "Want to walk me home from school tomorrow. I know I said the time limit was the rest of the day, but it seems the day was going by faster than I thought." Rye glanced at her phone. He still hasn't texted. "I have to go. But I had a lot of fun." And she really did. Rye defines was planning to hand out with him again, and she couldn't wait for her soccer lesson.
"Me and Hannah were kind of just forced together," Elsie let out a laugh as she remembered it. "We were in fourth grade at the time and back then I was really loud and talkative. Our teacher had me sit next to her since she was the quietest in the class, though we were able to get along and understand one another." She sneaked a glance at him while she talked, noticing how he had turned away for the first time. Was he getting more relaxed around her? She felt honored at the thought.
Lance nodded, “Okay, that sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow then?” He asked.
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"Well, that's fun. Opposites attract" He says with a shrug as they walk. He had actually really poor memory back when he and Rye met each other. So he didn't actually remember, but every now and then he has Rye remind him. His mind was really messed up back then though. He could never think straight to save his life. And now that he thought about it, he forgot once again.
"Guess I'll have to ask her again… I wonder how her time with Lance is going"
He thought as he bit the corner of his bottom lip slightly.
"Can't believe the sun's already setting," she commented absentmindedly. "I wonder where Lance and Rye are…"
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"Yeah… Probable riding into the sunset together" He says with a little laugh, though forced.
"Speaking of which, i should get going. Sorry. I'll see you tomorrow"
He says checking the time on his phone, going to Ryes contact, and texting her.
"ill be at the spot in about two minutes"
Rye waved Lance off and she ran to her secret place. It was on top of a hill, where you could see the sunset the best. On the top of the hill was an old swing set. This is where Rye and Levi found when she got lost, but he didn't have the heart to tell her that. With a smile she sat on the swing and pulled out her phone. Still no text. I wonder if he's still coming? Rye thought he might be having too much fun with Elsie.
