Chapter 10

Park

'We should probably head back to your uncle's... I don't want to make a bad impression.' I don't want to leave, and I don't just mean from where we're sitting. We're side by side, not a space between us, my arm around her and her head on my shoulder, just talking quietly, but we lost track of time... I've missed this, just being together... I've missed us! But I don't want her mom to skin me alive for leading her daughter astray quite so soon in our relationship.

'Yeah, I suppose' she stands up reluctantly and takes my hand 'come on then Boba Fett, come meet the rest of my family' she smiles and it brings her dimples out... it makes me grin. She seems happier here; She doesn't have all the drama with Richie. She seems to like her new school, and she's getting along better with her mom... It's good... she has changed... but I like it!

Eleanor

'So, did you have a plan when you set off?' I ask as I spot the Impala.

'Nope. I just jumped in the car before I could talk myself out of it' He swings arm around my shoulder and I put mine around his waist.

'You don't have a place to stay tonight?' I ask incredulously.

'Nah, I'll just get a room somewhere.'

'I can't believe you!... You're nuts!' I laugh

'Nuts about you!' He squeezes my shoulder and makes me blush, my insides going gooey.

'I'll ask my uncle if you can stay in his spare room for the night. When do you have to go back home?'

'I cleared it with work for tomorrow, but I think I might call and see if I can stay another day.' he gives me a sideways look as if to say if that's ok with you... I nod and grin of course it is I think. 'But it's alright, really, I wouldn't want to impose.'

'Well, we'll ask him and find out... I'm sure he'll be ok with it... I'd ask mom if you could stay at ours but there's no way she'd let that happen.'

He nods his head and chuckles softly 'Yeah, no worries I totally understand.'

We reach the porch, I'm a step above and turn around asking 'are you nervous?' He nods his head yes 'me too... I'm glad you came back for me.' I whisper and lean forward to brush my lips across his.

'Me too' he uses my words and takes hold of my hand. I take a breath, turning around, preparing myself.

Park

I follow her through the house not letting go, it's a nice place. I'm pleased she had somewhere to turn after all the shit that happened last year. I only wish I was the one who was able to provide it for her... thinking of my future, everything I do, I want her to share it with me and be a part of it... that's a freaking scary thought for someone as young as me! Slow it down Park, be cool!

I hear people in the garden and we walk towards the back of the house. She glances at me before we step through the door, whether it's for my reassurance or hers I'm not one hundred percent certain.

'Eleanor, there you are! I was beginning to get worried'

'It's okay mom we just had a lot to talk about'

'Oh look... Eleanor's boyfriend is back... whoopie!' This from Ben sitting on the next lounger to Maisie who looks over and smiles.

'Enough Ben, Park is a guest' her mom chides 'he's come a long way to see your sister'

'Yeah be nice!' Maisie pokes Ben in the side, he scowls at her and he mumbles something I can't quite hear.

'Park' Eleanor catches my attention squeezing my hand 'this is my Uncle Geoff' she gestures to a man standing at the grill who smiles at me. 'and my Aunt Susan' nodding towards a woman sitting with Sabrina.

'It's good to meet you both' I say nervously.

'Nice to meet you Park' her uncle comes over and holds out his hand 'how was the drive?'

I take his hand and shake it firmly 'It was fine sir, thanks for asking.'

'You must be hungry, help yourself to some food' Susan says with a smile 'Geoff grills a mean burger'

'Thank you, yeah I'm starving actually' I laugh.

'Yeah, um Uncle Geoff, Aunt Susan... I kind of have a favour to ask you' Eleanor butts in eyeing me as if to say don't even think about arguing! 'Park needs somewhere to stay and I thought maybe he could use your spare room?... if that's ok? He'll have to rent a room somewhere otherwise'

'Eleanor!' Sabrina chides

'No, no' Susan puts her hand up 'that's perfectly alright Sabrina, of course you can stay Park. Can't he Geoff'

'Any friend of Eleanor's... I hear you were the one who drove her here last year'

'Yes sir I was'

'Well, that was an incredibly selfless thing you did Park, you're more than welcome in my home any time you come to visit.'

'Thank you sir, but I wouldn't want to impose'

'Nonsense... I won't hear of you staying anywhere else'

'Thank you' I swallow hard and glance at Eleanor who looks at me shyly

Then Maisie asks 'Are you gonna take her to the Prom then?'