Innocent Eyes – Chapter 9

”Remember! You too can help the endangered species of the world! Please try and come down to the animal shelter this Saturday!!” Mr. Turner called over the shrill ringing of the bell.

Liz hugged her books to her chest, and groaned slightly.
”My God! When will that man give up? They’re only stupid animals!”

Jay looked up at her as she rummaged through her bag.
”Liz, they aren’t stupid animals!” she argued.
”Oh really? Then what are they?” Liz asked, flicking her blonde hair over one shoulder.
”They’re…they’re living things!” Jay shot back, still rummaging through the numerous things in her small backpack.
”Really? I never would’ve guessed!” Liz laughed, “Seriously Jay, I do realize animals are living things. I mean, they eat, they breathe…one would assume they’re living!”

Jay looked up momentarily to roll her eyes.
”That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
”Whatever.” Liz said off-handedly, “What are you looking for anyway?”
”Never mind.” Jay replied quickly.
’No, tell me.” Liz demanded, “I want to know.”

Jay straightened up, and waved a piece of paper in Liz’s face.
”I was looking for this.”
Liz snatched it out of Jay’s hand, and scanned through it. After she was done, Liz handed it back to Jay, a bemused smile on her face.
”A petition?” she asked mockingly.
”Yes. It is. I was going to ask Mr. Turner to sign it.” Jay elaborated.
”Oh, go ahead. And while you’re at it, why don’t you go and join Green peace, and become a fully-fledged hippy!”
”Haha.” Jay said dryly, “Not.”

She made her way over to Mr. Turner’s desk, and cleared her throat.
”Ahh! Jay…something I can help you with?” Mr. Turner asked, smiling warmly.
”Umm, I made up this petition…to open another animal shelter…and I was wondering if maybe you’d like to sign it.” Jay explained shyly, handing the piece of paper to him.

She watched as he read through it.
”It’s pretty stupid really…” she added, looking down.
”Not at all! I think it’s brilliant! Where do I sign?” Mr. Turner asked enthusiastically, picking up a pen.

Jay smiled broadly, and told him where to sign his name. After he was done, she thanked him, and left the classroom. Walking down the corridor, she craned her neck over the crowd, trying to see if Liz was around. Finally, Jay saw her, gawking at the notice board.

”What is it?” Jay asked, stopping beside her.
”It’s about the Animal Shelter thing on Saturday.” Liz explained.
”Oh. Why are you looking at it then?” Jay asked, confused.
”It says some celebs might be there!” Liz replied, smiling.
”In other words, you’ve had a change of heart?” Jay guessed.
”You bet!” Liz nodded.

Jay rolled her eyes, as she too looked at the poster.
”That’s not the right reason for going Liz.”
”So? I’m going aren’t I?”
”Yeah…” Jay began.
”Then why do you care if I’m going for a reason other than ‘Saving Our Animals’?” Liz asked, turning away from the poster to face Jay.
”Don’t you have morals?” Jay asked, shocked at Liz’s cold-heartedness.
’Yeah. But none that would fit into this.” Liz replied, laughing. “Now if you don’t mind, I really should get home and call Paul back. He’ll be wondering where I’ve gotten to!”
”No he won’t. I told him you were at uni…” Jay informed her.
”You’re point? You of all people should know I don’t give a toss about school! See ya at home hun!” Liz waved, walking away.

”See ya.” Jay muttered, sighing inwardly. Turning in the opposite direction, she started off towards her next class.

~*~

That night, Jay was lying on the couch, flicking through a magazine she found on the coffee table. Turning the page, she sighed deeply.

”Boredom; The story of my life” she mumbled, flicking yet another page.
”Doesn’t have to be!” a guy laughed.
Looking up, Jay smiled. “Steven, you scared me half to death!”
”Sorry Jay, didn’t mean to.”

He sat down on the edge of the couch, and grinned at her.
”Bored I take it?”
”Very.”
”Then how about we change that?” Steven suggested.
”And how would you propose we do that?” Jay asked suspiciously, sitting up.
”However you like!” he beamed, throwing his hands in the air.
”Well…I don’t know. What do you want to do?” she asked.
”Umm…that new club is meant to be good.” He commented thoughtfully.
”You mean Impulse? …I don’t know Steve…”
”Come on Jay!” Steven persisted.
Jay thought for a moment.
”Well…” she began.
”Stop being a wet blanket and live a little!”

“Ok ok! I’ll go!” Jay relented, sighing.
”Yay for Jay!” Steven laughed, rushing over to pull her up.
”What are you doing?” Jay asked.
”Leaving for Impulse.” Steven said quickly, grabbing Jay’s leather jacket and throwing it to her.
”I didn’t mean straight away! I look a right mess!” she argued.
”No you don’t!” Steven assured her, putting his own jacket on. “You look fine – great even!”
”No I don’t.” Jay disagreed, pouting slightly.
Steven straightened his jacket, and stared into Jay’s eyes.
”Jay, you look gorgeous…just like you always do.”

He paused, and glanced at the ground.
”Oh, c’mon then.” Jay grinned, grabbing Steven’s hand and leading him out of the house.

Liz smiled smugly as Jay and Steven hailed a taxi and got in. Closing her curtain, she picked up her phone, and scrolled through her phonebook. Find the number she was looking for, she hit “call”.

”Hello?” a guy answered.
”Hi. Paul? It’s Liz…” Liz greeted him, smiling to herself.
”Oh – hi Liz. What’s up?” Paul asked.
”I was just wondering if you’d like to come over and hang out.” Liz offered.
”Um, sorry, but I’m kind of on a guys night with the lads. I thought I told you…” Paul explained, slightly miffed.
”Oh…ok then. Sorry.” Liz apologized, sighing deeply.
There was silence for a moment as Paul thought.
”Erm, why don’t you join us? I’m sure the lads wouldn’t mind the extra company…the more the merrier…right?” He sighed.
”Oh! Thanks Paul! Are you still at the same hotel?” Liz asked.
”Yep. Same room too.” Paul replied.
”Ok, I’ll be right over!” Liz exclaimed happily, hanging up.

Throwing the phone back down on her bed, Liz smiled slyly to herself. Picking up her keys, she left the house, and walked down the front path to her car, before heading over to Paul’s hotel…