Alan and I decided that we didn't want to go home right after the movie, so Gerry offered to take Summer home. Summer decided that that was a very good idea.
We drove around for awhile, belting out whatever songs we could think of because his radio was no longer in working condition. But that soon got boring, so we wound up at a restaurant, drinking milkshakes and sharing a plate of nachos.
I giggled, taking a sip from my vanilla shake and smiling up at Alan endearingly. "Thank you for buying me food, Alan."
He smiled back.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked.
He leaned back against his seat. "Um…"
I picked up a nacho, watching as the melted cheese stretched and snapped. "We have ways of making you talk," I said.
"I was just thinking…" Alan grinned and shrugged. "I was just thinking about how I don't want this to ever end."
"What? These nachos? Dig in, buddy, they're a dying breed."
"No, I meant what I have with you."
I peered up at him, inquisitive and kinda touched. "Are you being sappy and romantic?"
"I think so."
"Go on."
He smiled down at the table, a little bashfully. That was an incredibly cute sight to see, and it made me feel all in love and happy and whatnot. "I'm sorry that someone had to die in order for you to come here, but I can't believe I spent eighteen years without knowing you. I'll never know anyone like you, and I'm glad, because you're here, and you're mine, and uh, thanks."
"Goodness, you're like…the best," I laughed, amazed that those words had just come out of his mouth, and they had been directed at me. "And you just decided all that right now?"
"I've always felt it. But I thought it when I was watching you blow bubbles into your milkshake."
I cackled. "Wow, I should be unladylike more often!"
"Anyway. I love you."
I grinned, closing my hands around his across the table. "I love you back."
"Thank God!" an out of breath Petey cried, running up to our table. "We've been looking for you for like an hour, Lyric."
"Missed me, didn't ya?" I teased, nudging him. "Do you want to sit down? We're willing to spare some nachos."
"Lyric."
The easy going, take-it-as-it-comes light was missing from Petey's eyes as he scratched his head uncomfortably.
A wave of nausea took me under. I looked up at him with expectance, needing some kind of reassuring explanation.
"Sky…" he faltered, not making eye contact.
"What about Sky?" I demanded. "What happened to him?"
"He's in the hospital."
"Why?" I cried. "What happened to him? Dammit, Petey--"
Alan stood up, and pulled me to my feet. "Come on, Lyric, I'll drive you to the hospital."
"But why?" I whimpered, holding on tightly to Alan's hand, glad that he was holding mine back just as tight.
Petey followed behind us, his hand on my shoulder consolingly. "I think he was just lonely."