"So what was so important that it couldn't wait until after school?" Donna was excited but also a little scared. Ever since David had asked her to meet him in the radio booth for the start of his lunchtime slot, she hadn't been able to relax. Now she was perched on the edge of her chair, nervously twisting a strand of her blonde hair. She often spent the lunch period keeping David company during his show. Sometimes Kelly and Brenda joined them so that they could observe and comment on the latest fashions that were paraded through the halls, or the cute guys that passed by on their way to class or the cafeteria.
But today he had been insistent that she come alone, because he had something important that he needed to tell her. David had seemed very serious and that made her nervous. His showcase had been a huge success, and he had been on such a high afterwards. But that was two days ago and it was a very different David that was sitting across from her now.
She didn't know what it could be about but she found herself thinking the worst. She had told David that she wasn't ready to sleep with him yet. He had said that he understood, that it didn't matter and that he was willing to wait, but Donna could never completely shake the fear that sooner or later David would meet someone who wouldn't make him wait. Although she knew that David loved her, she also knew that she was asking a lot of him. She prayed that he wasn't about to tell her that he'd found someone else.
David checked one more time that the mike was switched off. He didn't want the gory details of his personal life to be broadcast around the hallways. He turned to face Donna, taking the hand that had been fiddling with her hair, and moved closer to her. Then he took a deep breath, as if what he was about to say was difficult. "Actually it's about us".
He wasn't sure how Donna was going to react. He'd been so wired after the showcase that he'd felt invincible. That was when he'd formulated his plan. He'd gone straight to Mrs Teasley the next morning before he'd had the chance to back out.
It had taken him a while to work up the nerve to tell Donna but now he'd started he found he couldn't stop. The words came tumbling out and he hardly paused for breath. "I've figured out a way that we can still be together next year. I talked to Mrs Teasley and we worked out a schedule so I can double up on my classes, maybe have some extra tutoring so I'll be ready to take finals, I've already sat the SATS so hopefully my scores will be good enough and if I work really hard I should be able to graduate with you this summer and we can go to College together next year." He realised that he'd been babbling and as he came to a stop he sneaked a look at Donna to see how she was taking the news.
Donna was so shocked she found she couldn't breathe. She had convinced herself that David was going to break up with her. This was so wonderful and so unexpected that for a moment she couldn't speak. When she did finally managed to formulate a sentence her voice was shaky. "David slow down. You need to think about this". She was thrilled that David was just as desperate as she was for them to stay together but what he was suggesting was a big deal. He was sacrificing his senior year for her. She wanted him to be sure that he was making the right choice.
David's face fell; he had been hoping that Donna would be pleased, that she would be just as excited as he was. Did this mean that she didn't want him to go to College with her? David had always harboured a secret fear that one day Donna would wake up and realise that she could have any guy she wanted, that she didn't have to settle for a geeky junior. Maybe she had finally realised but she didn't have the heart to break it off. Perhaps she was going to use going away to College as an excuse to leave him behind. He spoke slowly as if to emphasise the importance of his words. "I have thought about it Donna. I've done nothing but think about it since the whole College thing came up. I want us to stay together I thought that's what you wanted."
"Oh David, it is what I want. It's absolutely what I want but do you realise how much work it'll mean for you to graduate early?" She looked at him earnestly wanting him to know how much he meant to her.
David smiled; he was a lucky guy. This beautiful, smart, loving girl wanted him in her life. That was all he needed to hear. "It'll be tough but you're worth it. Now come here". As she leaned in for the kiss Donna Martin thought that she had never been so happy as she was in that one moment.
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Kelly Taylor surveyed her reflection in the mirror in the girls' bathroom. She was meeting Dylan and she wanted to look her best. She had dressed carefully selecting a tight red top and black designer jeans that showed off her figure whilst still leaving something to the imagination. Kelly was known for her style and she always managed to put together great outfits - today was no exception. She checked her hair and make-up one more time just to be sure then spritzed a little perfume on her neck and wrists. Perfect. She nodded appreciatively and with one final glance in the mirror left the bathroom.
She was excited, exhilarated and a little nervous. This was the first time she and Dylan had arranged to meet at school. They both knew it was risky; anyone could catch them if they weren't careful. But somehow knowing the risks just added to the thrill.
Kelly smiled to herself as she walked. Forbidden love, it was so romantic. All the great lovers had to overcome prejudice and hardship to be together. Funny she'd never really pictured herself and Dylan as Romeo and Juliet. She laughed; she couldn't really see Dylan in tights. Perhaps Tony and Maria in "West Side Story?" Now that was a great movie, and New York gangs were much more Dylan's style.
Rushing off to an illicit tryst in the middle of the day, it was so exciting; the sort of thing people did in books and movies. True she'd kept her romance with Jake, her mother's handyman, a secret but she hadn't really been in love with Jake. At the time she had been sure that it was love, but now she knew better. That had been an adolescent crush on a sexy older guy, made more enticing by the knowledge of her mother's certain disapproval. What she had with Dylan was something completely different to anything that she had experienced before.
Jake and Dylan were a lot alike. Jake had been Dylan's mentor, he was the guy that taught Dylan to surf. Both had that dark, brooding, outsider thing going, that intoxicating mix of danger and vulnerability. Kelly smiled she always had gone for the bad boys. But that was where the similarity ended. Jake was the love 'em and leave 'em type, as Kelly had found to her cost. But Dylan was romantic and sensitive and considerate. She was risking everything to be with the man that she loved. She couldn't think of anything more romantic than that.
They had agreed to meet by the enormous cedar tree on the far edge of the school grounds. Hardly anyone ever went down there because it was such a trek from the main building. Dylan had suggested it because he had spent much of his time there during his drinking days, and knew that it was usually deserted. In those days Dylan had kept himself to himself, hadn't wanted to be bothered by people. It had been the perfect place for him to sit and drink. Now it was the perfect place for the two of them to spend time together.
Getting there had proved a little tricky. Donna hadn't been a problem; she'd rushed off to meet David as soon as the bell rang at the end of morning classes. Brenda on the other hand had been more difficult to shake off. She couldn't understand why Kelly didn't want to join the others for lunch. In the end Kelly had invented a dentist appointment in order to get away. She wondered if Dylan had encountered similar problems.
As she approached the tree she felt a pang of disappointment. He wasn't there. Her mind raced through the different possibilities. Had he been caught, unable to make an excuse and slip away? Or had he changed his mind, decided that he didn't want to do this after all? She checked her watch. She was right on time. Perhaps Dylan had just got held up, was even now on his way. She wasn't ready to give up on this just yet. She would wait for him. She dropped her bag and sat down on the grass under the tree. Leaning back against the expansive trunk she settled in the shade and watched as the sun made patterns in the grass as it glinted off the leaves. It really was a beautiful setting, perfect for two people in love.
"Boo!" His voice and his breath so close to her ear made her jump.
"Dylan!" she was already in his embrace and they kissed each other hungrily until eventually gasping for breath she pulled away. "How long have you been here?"
He smiled "A while." Then turned mock serious "I had to be sure you weren't followed".
She mirrored his playful mood "So are we safe?"
Dylan smiled seductively "Depends on your definition of safe".
She laughed "Well I think I can handle your particular brand of danger Mr Mckay".
"That's what I was counting on". Dylan moved in for another kiss.
When he finally released her Kelly noticed that he had brought a large bag with him. He caught her quizzical look and stooped to open the bag from which he produced a picnic rug, sandwiches, fruit and juice. "For our first lunch date I thought we'd dine alfresco. What do you think?"
"Why Mr McKay you sure know how to show a lady a good time". She drawled. If I'd known you were this romantic I'd have made this date a lot sooner." Kelly was enchanted. Everything about this was magical. She only wished that they had longer.
They ate at a leisurely pace, pausing every now and then to feed each other strawberries and steal a kiss. Their lighthearted mood was a complete contrast to the gloom of recent weeks. Dylan lay back against the sturdy trunk and closed his eyes. With Kelly resting her head against his chest, and the sun beating down on him he could almost imagine it was the beginning of the summer and they were back at the beach with long romantic days stretching ahead of them.
Eventually Kelly spoke "This is a beautiful place. It's such a shame to think that no one ever gets to enjoy it." She smiled "But it can be our place".
"You know I used to come here a lot" he paused "When I was drinking and I needed to escape. When everything was driving me crazy I used to come here with a bottle of Jack Daniels, and drink the day away." A far away look came in to Dylan's eyes as if he were reliving the memories.
"I understand. You needed somewhere where you could just be yourself and not worry about what other people thought of you." She'd been there. Truth be told she was still there.
Dylan shrugged "Maybe but I think it's more than that. I think I was looking for a place to hide. Not just from other people but from myself. I guess I didn't really like who I had become."
Kelly sighed "Well I can definitely relate to that. But that was then. What about now?"
Dylan brought his face close to hers "Now I think that I'm the luckiest guy in the world and that I'm just gonna have to kiss you again." As she lost herself in Dylan's kiss Kelly wished that the moment could last forever.