Deception

Chapter 21|Just to be ironic

Hey, hey, hey,
It's a great day,
Especially when you get paid,
Or when you get laid. ;)

-A short poem by Ashley.

You're welcome.

• • •

"Why were you guys kissing?" Aaron asks as we walk. He looks at me like I've sprouted wings.

"Uh, because we like each other I guess," I reply. How do you even respond to that? I know perfectly well why I was kissing Noah, but that wouldn't be appropriate for Aaron's little ears.

He stops walking and frowns at me. "But I thought you hated each other."

I shake my head. "I never hated him, maybe I disliked him for a while, but feelings can change."

He sighs, scratching his forehead. "This is so confusing," he mutters to himself. "People are weird."

I shrug as we continue to walk. He's not wrong.

I catch up to Noah who takes the lead, walking several paces in front of Aaron and I. "Do you have any clue where we're going?" I ask. It's a simple question, but the answer is more complex.

"Not exactly," he replies. "These footprints look pretty fresh, so we can't be far behind. The sun also rises in the east here, so judging by where it is now-" he points at the bright white orb in the distance. "-we have a few hours before sun down."

"Were you like a boy scout or something?"

He snorts. "No, I'm just smart."

"Huh," I reply. "I never knew you were so modest."

"It's one of my many assets," he says, sideways glancing at me.

I laugh. "Wow, was that a dick joke? Seriously, of all people, I never expected that from you."

"What do you mean, dick joke? I said no such thing, Princess, have some class, " he teases.

"I'm pretty sure class is something you're either born with, and I've just got none."

"Yeah, but you can beat the shit out of people, so that kind of makes up for it."

I look at him in mock worry. "If that's what you find attractive in a girl, then you have some serious issues."

"If anyone around here doesn't have issues by this point, then I doubt they're a real person," he replies, taking a right turn to follow the footprints.

I shrug. "Aaron doesn't seem too mentally scarred by this whole thing," I say, starting to feel bad for leaving him to be the third wheel. I turn to look at him, but it turns out he has other company. He is gently petting a stick bug on the head, and having an animated conversation with it.

I turn back to Noah. "I take it back, he's crazy too."

"What's he doing now?"

"Talking to an insect. I mean where did he even get that from? Is he like the modern day Snow White or something?"

"No, he's always been like that. We were in the same year in high school, and he kind of just stumbled along. He's not stupid, his brain is just wired more towards the creative side, and he lacks social skills. You should see him draw, he's incredible."

We continue to walk until the sun sinks below the horizon and we're forced to stop for the night. Within a matter of moments, enough branches have been snapped off the odd looking trees that scatter the area, in order to make a fire.

We still have a few matches and a lighter that is slightly temperamental, so it shouldn't be too difficult to light a fire. Both Aaron and I leave the nurturing of the small flame to Noah. He's the firebug, and if I tried to do it, I'd probably put it out.