Lainee struggled to get the bag when a cough came from behind her. She turned to find a tall guy around her age standing above her small figure.
"Need some help?" he smirked. The boy had been watching her struggle to get the bag of chips for a while now.
Usually she would just roll her eyes at his obvious player ways but today... Ellie really wants those chips. She moved away and he grabbed the bag.
"Thanks." He handed them to her. She was about to walk away.
"What's your name?" He asked looking down at her. She's super short, blue eyes and red hair. Beautiful.
"It's Lainee."
"Well I'm Mark." He smiled. He's hot too, tall, dark, chocolaty eyes. Ahh, chocolate, so sweet, tasty, especially dark chocolate... And the-
"Hey, you there."
She laughed blushing, "Sorry, I remembered something."
"Really? 'Cuz you drooled."
"I was daydreaming." She pursed her lips, used all her self control not to think about her favourite thing in the world.
"About?"
"Chocolate."
He opened his mouth but couldn't find the right words. After a few moments of silence she realized what she said.
"That just came out really racist didn't it." She blushed in embarassment. "It's your eyes, they look like chocolate and chocolate is my favourite thing in the world. Oh my gosh especially dark chocolate. Great, now I'm rambling and I am not making this any better. I'm sorry I really didn't mean for it to come out that way and I'm still rambling. I should shut up, I always ramble when I'm nervous and I-"
"Whoa, whoa, WOAH. Slow down." He chuckled.
"Sorry."
"Well, you can make it up to me for being racist by going on a date with me." Mark was hopeful. Something about this short, tiny girl intrigued him.
"I wasn't intentionally racist!" Lainee was panicked and offended but she was still smiling.
"I know, but I needed an excuse to ask you out. So what do you say?"
Her smile fell, "Look, you seem like a nice guy but,"
"But...?"
"You don't wanna go out with me."
"I kinda do, I mean I asked you out didn't I?"
OK, that was kinda cute. She thought and couldn't help but smile a little and let out a chuckle. "Look, Mark. Most guys just walk away when they find out I have a kid." He raised an eyebrow. "It's complicated."
"Well why don't I buy you a slushy and you can tell me all about it."
A wide smile spread across her lips.
A half hour later they are walking and drinking slushies with their groceries in hand. It's been quiet.
"So... You have a child?" He was caucious.
"Ehh, yeah... It happened a few years ago."
"What happened?"
"I was walking home from school. Out of nowhere a man came and he-" A tear escaped her eye.
"It's OK you don't have to tell me." She nodded.
Tears were now rolling down her face and he pulled her into a side street. Not many people know the story. Laniee only told it to the cops, her therapist and her family, But for some reason she feels like she can tell him anything; her fears, dreams and all her secrets. That is strange because she only met the guy 45 minutes ago.
"I went to a hospital. Everything was fine until I started feeling different. I told my therapist and she suggested I took a test."
"How did your family react?" He asked. How could something like that happen to such a sweet innocent girl.
"They knew what happened so they supported me. If it wasn't for my mom, I don't know what I would have done."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Lainee saw sincerity in his eyes.
"Ow." she pouted.
"What?"
"My neck hurts – you're too tall!" She complained.
"Hey, It's not my fault that you're abnormally short, Lane."
"Lane?" She raised both eyebrows since she can't just raise one.
"Nickname. Too bad?"
"No, no. I like it." She smiled.
"Good." both were smiling widely.
"I gotta get home, my cousin's gonna kill me if I dong get her those chips."
He chuckled. "I'll walk you."
"Thanks."