Choice

Chapter 2

The police officer was most likely a rookie judging by his shiny badge which didn't even look a few days old.  He was leaning back against his cruiser with his notepad in hand. I bit my lip and watched him jot down a few things then glance back up at me every few seconds as if confirming the details I let out. "I'll have to check out these facts, Miss?" I swallow hard answering "Reynolds." He nods and I can hear the shakiness in his voice when he replies "right, Reynolds, let me just check it over." He lowers himself into the front seat of the police cruiser and types into the small computer. The officer nods closing over his notepad and looks back up to me "sorry about this Detective, its protocol."

I nod hearing him laugh "maybe next time, bring a badge?"Attempting to change the subject I ask "so, that sound?" He shifts in his spot glancing around nervously. "Not to worry, some gas mane or something went off. Happens every couple of weeks, are you new in town?" I glance back at the school shaking my head "no, I grew up here but I was away for a bit." He laughs out at my response as if taunting me "college girl?" I nod trying to ward off his stares "well nowadays we all need college." He laughs raising an eyebrow at my statement "you make it sound like your old detective Reynolds?" I shake my head trying to act friendly to end this night already "Amanda, please just Amanda...." He smiles and looks up to me kindly. "Amanda, it is..." I watch him put his notepad onto the passenger side seat and he glances back up at me "you alright Mandy?" I shake my head staring at him as if I just heard a ghost's voice "what did you say?" He laughs pretending he didn't use my nickname "I said, are you alright Amanda?" He shuffles through the mess in his cruiser attempting to organize it as I reply fast "yea, sorry you just sounded like someone."

He finishes my sentence cutting me off midway "you know?" He continues digging around his car as if looking for something he lost "lived here a while back, possible, I come here once a day, the old Marbourne High." I flinch feeling the rain stop and look up eyeing the umbrella now placed above my head and back to the officer standing in front of me. I glance him over trying to put him into place as I question "you went here?" He smiles looking around the empty school parking lot "two years it was a long time ago." I nod agreeing or trying to forget the past "sorry." He laughs at my apology "for what?" I cross my arms eyeing him over almost recognizing him, but afraid to ask for confirmation.

His etched in grin taunts me which looks forced as he asks "detective, you okay?" I shake my head looking down wanting him to admit who he is "you just, you look so familiar." He again glances around the empty parking lot almost surveying his surroundings as he states "I get that a lot."   I look down realizing I will never get the answer I want but still attempt to push ahead "you sure? Marbourne is a small town, it's possible I meant you before?" He shakes his head not wanting to admit his name "I never forget a face, this is the first time, and I'm sure we haven't meant."  He holds out the umbrella and I grip hold of it. 

He tips his police cap to me in an almost gentlemen like fashion as he turns back to his cruiser. I watch him descend back into his cruiser and pulls his door closed. Again, I watch those familiar eyes and smile glance at me through the open window "you alright?" I shake my head wanting him to admit his identity to me  "I don't know, you just seem like someone, someone." He smiles as if playing a game with me "you know? You already said that detective."

I glance down noting his missing name tag and back up watching him run his fingers through his messy brown hair as he smiles to himself. He places his police cap down on the dashboard and glances up at me one last time asking in what sounds like concern "you going to be alright?" I glance down eyeing the puddles around me as I ask shyly "yes, officer?" He remains quiet, but then pushes the question back at me "yea?" I laugh out trying to have him admit his identity again "no, I mean what is your name? Your tag is missing." He looks down laughing as he runs one hand over the empty spot on his uniform "so, it is." I watch him start his car ignition as he smiles "I guess you'll just have to do some investigation?" I watch him back out and leave the parking lot and bite my lip trying not to laugh at his antics and realize some people just never grow up.