The Town of Clarksville

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

I slept that night still thinking of Travis. I can’t accept that I must be dreaming. Our conversation seems real. I know he was there. I know I talked to him. But where did he go? Why didn’t he say that he was leaving?

And why am I thinking so much about it? It doesn’t matter.  I don’t like him. And as I have said, I don’t want to be his friend. Period.

The next day was Sunday. At first, I did not have any plans. I just want to stay at home, watch movies or series. But then, my friend came barging in, asking me to come with him to the lake. He brought a basket with him. He also has a picnic blanket that he left in his car outside my house.

He doesn’t look ready, huh.

“Every second Sunday of the month is a picnic day at the lake. The Mayor will be there, too. It’s a must for everyone to participate in the picnic day. It’s one way to get along with all the people here in the town,” Cayden explained when I asked if why do we need to come to that picnic day.

I stared at the television for some time. I was startled when Cayden snapped his fingers in front of me. I glared at him. “Fine, I’ll just change,” I said as I got up from the couch.

I left him in the living room. I went to my room to change my clothes. When I was at the front of my closet, that’s when I remembered. What will I wear?

I kept on rummaging through my closet until I found my white floral midi dress. I decided that I’ll just wear it. I also got my small crossbody bag in plain white and wore it. I sprayed some perfume, too.

When I was done changing, I went out of my room. I saw that Cayden was not on the couch, but I heard someone in the kitchen, so I went there instead.

I saw him drinking water from my refrigerator. “Are you ready?” he asked as he placed the glass on my countertop. I nodded while I got a glass from the counter.

I went to Cayden got the pitcher beside his glass. I poured some into my glass and drank from it. When I was done, I told him we should go.

We went out of the house then went inside his car. On our way to the lake, I decided to open a topic. “Will John be there?” I asked.

Cayden smiled while driving. He turned to me then nodded. “Of course. His house is just near the lake so he will be there,” he answered as he looked back at the road.

 We passed by the town square it was empty. Now, I’d like to believe Cayden when he said that this picnic is important for the people in this town.

We arrived at the lakeside at 10 am. I think almost everyone in the town is here. I even saw Mrs. Kelly from the flower shop. I waved at her and Cayden and I were about to find our sitting place but Mrs.Kelly already approached us.

“Hello, dear!” Mrs. Kely greeted.

“Hi, Mrs. Kelly,” I smiled at her. Cayden greeted her, too. After our interaction with her, we continued searching for our picnic place.

We settled beside the lake but not too far from the stage where the Mayor would speak later. Cayden placed the blanket on the ground. When he was done, I helped him take out the food he prepared for us.

“Where’s John?” I asked as I take out the fruits from the basket.

He checked his phone first while still holding the box of cookies. I got it from his hand and placed it in down the blanket.

“He’s here,” Cayden announced as he looked around. I just continued, getting the food out of the basket. There were scotch eggs, chicken sandwiches, sausage rolls, and bacon-wrapped drumsticks. There were also pasta and potato salad. There were sodas and orange juice, too.

“Who cooked this?” I asked Cayden.

“My mom helped me prepare for it. I just forgot to tell you about it last night because you know,” he trailed off. “But I had it ready at home. My mom helped me with cooking and packing that earlier,”

“Tell your mom I said thank you,” I said while smiling.

We just waited for John to arrive. Not a minute later, he was already beside Cayden while I was sitting in front of them.

Not a little later, we already saw the Mayor going up the stage. With him, tailing him from behind, was Travis.

Our eyes met but I immediately looked away. I don’t want him to assume that I like him again. I just want to enjoy this day with my friend.

“Oh, my bad. I’m such a bad friend,” I heard Cayden’s voice so I turned to him with a question seen on my face. “I forgot to introduce you both to each other last night. And even today,” he chuckled as he looked at John and me.

“John, this is Selena, my best friend. Selena, this is John,” Cayden introduced.

John offered his hand to me. “Nice to meet you,” John said.

I smiled at him as I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too,” I said then turned to Cayden and smirked at him.

Cayden just glared at me. He knew I was teasing him.

“Oh, look!” he pointed behind me. “There’s Travis,” he said.

I immediately turned to where he was pointing that I forgot I saw Travis above the stage with his Dad, which is the Mayor.

When I heard Cayden’s laugh because of my sudden turn, I glared at him and hit his arm with my bag. John just laughed with him.

When the Mayor talked, everyone was silent and listened to him intently. You could see that they respect him.

I just looked at the Mayor in front while Cayden and John are talking to each other. That was when I met Travis’s eyes again. This time, I did not back down. I realized, why would I be affected if he thinks I like him? It’s not like it’s true. Duh?

I wasn’t planning to lose to him on our staring challenge but I looked away when he smiled at me. I just rolled my eyes at him when I saw him smirking because he saw me looking away.

“Thank you so much everyone for coming in here today. I’ll just cut my speech short for us to start the picnic and let ourselves enjoy the rest of the day here.” Mayor Smith said as he closed his speech.

I tore my eyes from the stage when I saw the Mayor going down. The picnic has started. I looked around and saw that there are families, friends, and couples out there. Some are sharing their food.

Cayden and I were greeted by our schoolmates who passed by us. I just waved and smiled at them.

“Shall we eat?” Cayden asked after a while. John and I both nodded. I was about to take a bite at the sandwich I was holding when I heard a voice from behind me.

“Can I join you?” Travis asked shamelessly. I just rolled my eyes because I know Cayden would allow him to join us.

And who am I to say no? I don’t even have any contribution to the food here.

“Of course you can, Mr. Mayor’s son,” Cayden joked in which Travis laughed at.

I moved a little when Travis sat beside me. “Easy there, missy. I won’t touch you,” he whispered then chuckled.

Cayden and John were just looking at us. Amusement was evident on their faces.

I scoffed at Travis. “I just moved to give you space. Don’t be so defensive, Mister,” I told him.

I thought he would be offended but he just laughed as he takes a sandwich in front of him. He opened it and took a bite right away.

I took a bite at my sandwich, too. But I stopped when I heard Travis. He munched so loud which annoyed me. “Can you not do that?” I asked, irritated at how he chews his food.

Cayden was now busy with John. They are talking about God knows what so I was just left with Travis.

He looked at me with eyebrows furrowed. “What the hell is your problem?” he asked after he swallowed his food.

“Stop munching so loud, it’s irritating!” I told him but he did not listen. He took a bite again from his sandwich and munch so loud with his face a few inches from mine.

My heart skipped a beat. What the f*****g hell?