Read Until the Stars Fall From the Sky for Free Online

the lake silt.
    I dress in flannel shorts and a tank top. I head back into the kitchen to see if my friends have returned. As my stomach audibly growls, Heather and Tara come bursting through the back door. “Soup’s on!” yells Tara, not realizing that I’m sitting three feet in front of her.
    I look in the refrigerator and ask over my shoulder, “What do you want to drink? I have water, Vitamin Water and Half-and Half.”
    Heather visibly shudders as she answers, “I’ll take some Vitamin water, please. Half-and-Half is so gross! You do realize that you are the only person on the planet who drinks that stuff?”
    “Actually, I’m not,” I respond with a secret gri n. “Jeff likes it too.” I know that it’s ridiculous for me to be so happy about such a small thing, but I’d like to think it’s kismet that we have such an obscure thing in common.
    Tara gives me a contemplative look as she asks, “I wonder what it means that you’re both a little strange? What else did you find out about him?”
    My immediate thought is not enough. I keep that thought to myself because if they had any idea how attracted I am to Jeff; the teasing would go on for years. “We didn’t really have very much time to talk,” I answer. “He seemed impressed that I was able to reach the kid faster than the lifeguards were. I hope I didn’t step on anyone’s toes.” I am quiet for a moment as I try to recollect the conversation. “Unfortunately, I think he sees me as a child because he called me ‘Pip’." I reply, anxious to hear their take on it. My dad used to call me ‘Pip’ or ‘Pipsqueak.' I hope Jeff doesn’t see me that way, but I don’t understand why he would call me ‘Pip'.
    “I don’t know if your perception of the situation is entirely correct,” Heather counters, shaking her head. “We saw the chemistry between you and it was off the charts. I don’t think Jeff sees you as a child at all. If a man looks at any child the way he looks at you, he has bigger problems than you can deal with. ”
    “I agree,” Tara nods her head in confirmation. “His body language was screaming ‘interested’. So, what are you going to do about it?” she asks.
    I desperately hope that they are right. I don’t know what to think about everything because it was a surreal experience. “I don’t know that there’s anything for me to do. This is probably one of those chance meetings that will never happen again. I don’t even have his phone number,” I mumble as I play with my hair.
    Heather looks over at me with shock on her face and asks incredulously, “Are you seriously going to give up that easily?” I can’t believe that a decade of watching chick flicks hasn’t taught you better than that. Did you forget that you still have his jacket?”
    “No, I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t know what to do about it . ” I answer with exasperation.
    “Do you really believe he left it behind accidentally?” Tara added with a smirk. “Get real! I would wager that he has an ulterior motive. Have n’t you ever heard of Google?”
    Suddenly, my hunger decides to reassert itself, and my stomach gives a long plaintive growl. I am happy for the interruption, “Come on guys let’s not waste this food. Summer Corn Chowder is one of my all-time favorites.” As I eat my soup and sourdough bread, I think about what I could do next. Would I be a stalker if I went to the lake to return his jacket? Maybe not. He did leave it behind. What if the ball is in my court and he wants me to return it? After we finish eating, exhaustion sets in with a vengeance, and I start to yawn uncontrollably.
    Heather starts to gather the garbage from the table and comments, “Tara, it’s time for us to go and let this heroine get some sleep. Who knows what might happen tomorrow. Kiera could have a very big day.”
    I should be very afraid of Heather’s mysterious smile and wink. Unfortunately, I am just too tired to care. Thank goodness