Gil stood by the bus stop, his shaking hands wrapped around a brand new entomology textbook, his new black backpack hanging from his back. He had already said good-bye to his family. Thinking back to his eighteenth birthday party two days ago, he wondered if that might be the last time he would see everyone together. He sat down on the wood bench as he smoothed out his uniform of dark forest green. Cracked, dry leaves skittered across the ground as the wind blew. He took in the scent of autumn in Nevada for the last time. Checking his watch, he saw that he had about two hours left before the bus was even supposed to arrive. I should have stayed at home longer, he thinks bitterly as he looks around for something to do to pass the time. Inside a nearby diner, a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was waiting tables. She had shoulder length brown hair and dark brown eyes. Though this may sound plain and boring, on her, it was very attractive. While he was staring, she looked at him and met his eyes. She quickly looked away and though the windows were slightly tinted, he could see her turn a deep scarlet. He sighs and smiles to himself. After a long internal debate, he decided to go to the diner to get lunch and strike up a conversation. After all, he knew that it would be the last time he saw a woman for at least two years. A bell rang as he entered and the girl walked to him, menu in hand.
"Table for one?" She asked with a smile on her face. He nodded, returning her smile shyly. He read her nametag; Sara.
"Sara. Pretty name." he said as he followed her to the table. She handed him the menu.
"Thanks." she replied.
He glanced down at the menu and decided on a french dip sandwich. She wrote down his order and as she began to walk away, he called her name. She arched her eyebrow and returned to the table.
"Yes, sir?" she asked. He leaned forward on the table, and with a nervous smile, asked
"Would you mind sitting down and talking with me for a while? I'm feeling a little lonely."
She gave him a confident smile and a wink.
"I'm off in an hour. I know where we can go."