The Stranger Chapter 12

The Stranger Chapter 12
After taking care of nature's calling, I sat on the grass near the lake behind our cabin.  I wasn't really sure what I should have been thinking about…perhaps I should have went in to make sure Talli was alright, but she seemed to be doing just fine in Evan's care.  I snorted, pulling my knees up to my chin and cursing myself for acting like a jealous baby.  I should have been happy, despite everything I had said, I was curious to see what Kylee was going to do now.  She got the job she wanted, which meant that if we were to get back together…we would be close.
Talli's face filled my image.  
Then Evan's.
Then both of theirs did.
I groaned and leaned back, allowing the back of my head to hit the dirt.  I didn't really care at this point.  This vacation was dirty.  There was no indoor plumbing, and there was no way to shower without getting in that disgusting lake that stretched before me.
"Damir?" a gentle voice called from next to me and I tilted my head.  It was Talli, without Evan, standing there leaning on her one leg that wasn't bandaged.  I wanted to reach out and scoop her up, but I knew that the still liked independence.  I tried to smile at her.
"Hey Talli," I answered.  "How's your leg?"
"Oh…"she looked down.  "It's fine.  Evan did a really good job."
I couldn't help pursing my lips.  I really was like a jealous boyfriend.  "I bet he did.  You two seem to be getting along."
She shrugged and looked towards the house where Evan was more than likely eating again.  Judging by Talli's injuries I was left to assume that Evan had picked her up and placed her on the ground…hmmm.
"Damir…can I ask you something?" Talli blurted out suddenly and I jerked my head to look at her again.  
"Sure…what is it?" I asked with a hint of nervousness.
"You and Evan…" she began.  
"Uh, yes?"
"Do you not like your cousin or something?"
"Why do you ask?"
She reached up to touch her rainbow hair that was dry and a little bit frizzy in the still rising sun.  Talli looked like she knew exactly what she wanted to ask, but was trying to find the right words.  Great.  Now she was beginning to feel uncomfortable with me all over again.  I tried to be like Evan, he was so calm when talking to her, and I was always turning her or myself into a bumbling idiot.
"Talli," I tried to ask firmly, imagining how I would talk to one of my friends who was obviously holding something back.  "What's wrong?  Why do you think that?"
"You just seem to always get snappy with him…I don't know.   I can't really place it."
"Well I am snapping at him…but not because I don't like him," I explained.  "We always were different.  He was always kind of the 'sports' son that my dad always wanted.  And I…well I like reading…and art class…I liked being in orchestra.  These just aren't things that makes a father proud."  I shrugged.  "At least not a father like mine."
"Oh…" she trailed off.  
I tried to laugh it off.  "Yeah, Evan's always kind of been my competition.  That's how I see it at least.  He…he's better than me with just about anything he tries.  He's even better with you…" I bit my tongue.  Damnit!  Why did I have to say things that sounded so stupid?  I turned away from Talli and let the sun hit my face.  I didn't want to see her face and I certainly didn't want her to see mine.  I covered my face with hands just in case and felt the heat radiating from both directions.
Talli didn't beat around the bush.  "What do you mean he's better with me?" I heard her ask.  "What does that mean?"
I kept my hands over my eyes, but at least let my mouth show.  "It's nothing."
"Tell me Damir!  What do you mean by that?" she commanded and I heard her treading lightly towards me.  
"Stop!" I blurted out and I felt her freeze.  "Don't come any closer to me."  I was so humiliated, and I didn't like talking to her like this…but I…I really felt exposed.
"Okay," she relented.  "I'll stay here.  But I want you to talk to me.  Damir…what do you mean by that?  What does it matter one way or the other who's 'better with me'?"
I shook my head.  "It's nothing," I repeated.  "Just the ramblings of an idiot."
"You're not an idiot," Talli said gently.  "But you sure are acting like one right now."
I lowered my hands a fraction.  "What did you say?"
"I said that you're acting like an idiot.  Just talk to me!"
I lifted my head off the ground and finally adjusted my body so I was lying on my side.  Resting the side of my head in my hand I began to absentmindedly trace my finger in the dirt.  I kept my eyes away from hers.
"What am I supposed to say?" I muttered.  
"How about the truth?  I asked what you meant when you said that Evan was better with me…tell me why you said that."
I shrugged.  "He's just better at talking to you," I blurted out.
"Meaning?"
"Oh damnit, Talli!  Don't make me say it!  You know what I mean!"
Her face flickered with annoyance.  "How would I know what you mean?  I don't interact with giants."
I paused.  "Oh."
"Yeah, oh," she muttered and looked out towards the lake.  "Look, I'm getting hot.  I need to get back in the water."
I looked down at her knee.  "Will you be able to swim?"
She shrugged again.  "Well since you guys have showed up I've had a busted hand and now a busted leg.  So…probably not well."
I lowered my eyes.  "I'm sorry Talli."
She waved me off.  "I'm aware that this world isn't made for someone like me."
"But that doesn't make up for…" I began.
"ENOUGH," Talli said firmly.  "You want to know what would make up for it?"
"What?"
"Evan said that your friend wouldn't be here in a few hours, right?"
I nodded.  I still had some time to spare.  Some precious time to make things right between Talli and myself and to clear things up about Evan.  I wanted to know more than anything how she felt about him…about both of us…about either of us.  I felt like I was being pulled in so many directions.
"Yeah," I said quietly.  "We have time."
"Well, I'm sure I might need some help, at least getting back the island.  I mean I can't stay in your house with two other giants showing up…one of which is very important to you."
"Kylee is…"
"Just stop.  I understand what I am, and what I can be Evan.  I'm just asking you to be a friend here.  Will you take a swim with me?"
I felt my face contort and I looked over Talli's head towards the lake.  Ewww.  I didn't want to be such a baby about it but I didn't exactly like the idea of my skin touching that water.  I looked down at Talli again.  She didn't exactly look dirty, I snickered, so maybe it wasn't as bad as I was making it out to be.
"You want me to?" I asked with a small smile.  "I mean…you wouldn't think it was awkward?"
"That's where I live, and I can't very well swim that long way without a little help.  I figure with being such a cumbersome being, it's the least you can do right?"  she looked up at me with a small smile that literally pulled at my heart.  I lowered my hand towards her and she sat against my palm, hoisting up her injured leg.  "Yes, some help would definitely be nice Damir."
I curled my fingers around her and steadied myself to stand.  Looking down at her, sitting there looking so small and still recovering from her injury…I felt protective again.  I felt like I could help her.
"Are you sure you don't want Evan?  I mean he's more of the outdoorsy 'let's swim in a lake!' kind of guy," I asked carefully.  Still, I began to walk towards the cabin to get my swim trunks.
"If I wanted Evan, I think I would have asked him.  Damir, I want you to come with me," she said firmly and my heart warmed.  "You've been such a good friend to me," she went on quietly.  "You've actually proven that giants can be okay…if you just give them a chance."
"Thank you Talli," I whispered and lowered my thumb to touch her bare arm.  I wondered though.  The way she was saying things it was almost like a goodbye.  "Are you okay though?"
Her tiny shoulders rose and fell.  "I just wish…" she began and I stopped in front of the cabin doorway, bringing her close to my face.
"You just wish what?" I asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
She shook her head, almost as if she didn't know what she was saying.  Our eyes locked again, and I felt that terrible pull for her.  To be with her.  Her eyes turned sad but she tried to smile.
"Nothing," she answered quietly.  "I just hope things go well with you and that other human girl.  You deserve the best kind of girl."
I frowned.  For a moment I thought she was going to say…
"Let's get your stuff Darmir," she went on.  "Let's get me back home before you friends come."
I felt my heart sink.  "Yes…before they get here."