➵ 'Deleted' Scene 5
L I A Taking off my heels, I set foot in the coarse sand, feeling it sink as I picked up my shoes. The coolness under my bare feet was heavenly after striding around for hours and hours in stilettoes. Walking through the sand, I moved toward a brawny redhead that sat in front of ocean, watching the tides. Upon reaching Eric, I ruffled his hair. My heart twisted when he didn't smack it away like he usually would. He didn't even look at me. I sat down beside him, not bothered by the feeling of sand on my skin. "Everyone is looking for you. Lee's worried." Eric's eyes remained fixed on the horizon, achingly sad. Something was bothering him. "I met Hannah's father today. I-It's hard for me to look at people in the eye when I don't know them well enough. If I'm not comfortable with them." "I know it is. That's okay." "I tried to. But it was so hard. He asked Hannah what was wrong with me. I don't think he liked me very much." "Then the man's an idiot. What's not to like?" Eric didn't answer the question, but instead glanced my way. "You know, you're always the one to find me when I disappear." "I have a Find-My-Eric app built into my brain." That got a little smile out of him. "Will you stay here with me?" "You say that as if I were thinking about leaving. I won't abandon my best friend when he's in the midst of a crisis." Eric traced a finger in the sand, pushing it around without purpose. "Do you think I embarrassed Hannah?" I tossed an arm across his shoulders, pulling him over so I could peck him on the cheek. "Not at all. You didn't do anything that would make her feel that way. She's a sweet girl who loves you and you're a sweet man that loves her. That's all that matters." "You really think so?" "I do. And we both know I'm always right." His smile reached his eyes, making them crinkle at the edges. "I guess I don't have anything to worry about." Though he was no longer upset, neither of us bothered to get up. Hours trickled by as we watched the wild currents of the ocean, simply enjoying each other's company.