Innocent Eyes – Chap 8

The next morning, Jay woke to the familiar ring tone of ‘Caught In The Middle’. Rolling out of bed sleepily, she dragged herself towards the noise. As she quickly glanced into Liz’s room, she saw the small mobile phone flashing on her bed.

Picking it up, she hit the ‘Answer’ button, and held it to her ear.

’Hello?’
’Hi…that you Liz?’ A male voice asked.
’No, this is Jay…her best friend. Liz is at Uni…she left her phone at home.’ Jay replied.
’Oh – ok then. Could you just let her know I called?’ he asked.
’Uh, sure. But I’m going to have to find out your name first.’ She laughed.
’Right. It’s Paul.’ He told her.
’Ok Paul – I’ll let Liz know you called.’ Jay informed him, ‘Bye.’

She hung up the phone, and threw it back on the bed. Walking downstairs and into the kitchen, she grabbed a bowl, and poured in a heap of cereal, before drowning it in milk. Grabbing a spoon, she slouched down at the kitchen table, and started to eat.

Jay’s brow arched in confusion as she wondered who ‘Paul’ was…his voice sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. She shifted her gaze onto the kitchen clock, and gasped.

’Shit!’ she cursed, ‘I’m gonna be late!!’

Leaving the unfinished bowl of cereal on the table, she raced upstairs, and entered her bedroom. Putting on the first clothes she saw, Jay brushed her hair back into a ponytail, and picked up her bag and keys. Locking the door behind her, she raced to the bus stop, just in time for the last bus to her Uni.

Walking through the front gates, she turned left, and made her way through the crowded halls, trying to get to her English and Literature class. Finally reaching the room, she opened the door, and looked around. Liz was waving at her frantically, and pointing to the empty seat next to her.

Sighing, Jay walked over, and sat down.
’About time!’ Liz laughed.
’Yeah, I slept in.’ Jay told her, getting her pen and book out of her bag.
’You didn’t happen to bring my phone did you?’ Liz asked, ‘I left it on my bed.’
’Um, no sorry. But someone called you…’ Jay recalled, ‘Pete? Patrick?’
’Paul?’ Liz asked hastily, ‘Was it Paul?!’

Jay thought for a moment.
’Yeah – it was! Didn’t catch his last name though…he’ll probably call you again later.’
’Good.’ Liz sighed with relief.
’Who’s this Paul guy anyway?’ Jay asked.
’Umm…just a friend.’ Liz replied casually.
’A friend as in casual snogging partner?’ Jay asked cheekily.
’No!!! …I’m more interested in his friend!’ Liz revealed, smiling smugly.
’God! Why don’t you just go for the mate’s in the first place?!’ Jay suggested, ‘First Mike, and now Paul!’
’Mike?’ Liz asked, ‘Who’s Mike?’
’You know, the guy you had lunch with a week or so ago?’ Jay prompted.

Liz’s brow furrowed in confusion as she tried to remember…
’Nope. No Mike…you obviously have me confused with some other gorgeous, wanted woman.’ She said after a while.
Jay laughed, thinking it was a joke. But Liz just stared at her, dumfounded.
’What’s so funny?’ she asked.

Jay was about to reply, when the bell rang. Their teacher walked in, and the lesson began. But all the while, Jay couldn’t concentrate. Her mind was in too much of a whirlwind.

Why didn’t Liz remember “Mike”?
Does “Mike” exist?
Who’s Paul?
Who’s his mate?
What is Liz up to?