Ben stuffed a wad of chow mein into his mouth and chewed. "So, what's the deal? Why's your mom got you on lockdown?"
Claudia swirled her tea and gave him a broken smirk, the kind that's born out of humor and grief. "She's still postal over the-…accident."
"Accident?"
"Snakebite. It wasn't too serious."
"Not too serious? I heard you landed in Hartford Regional. It's gotta be bad if they took you there." He raised an eyebrow and dipped his chopsticks into the mound of rice at his side.
"Well, I guess it was. But I'm better now. All better."
"No side effects?"
"Well, I feel kinda tingly every once in awhile, and I've been having nightmares lately, but I guess that's to be expected. The doctors said I'd have a few neurological kinks to work out over time, if you can understand that," she laughed, taking a big bite of chicken.
He grinned and nodded. "Yeah. But it'll only get better. I've…been having my own set of problems lately."
Claudia cocked her head.
"Just some family issues. Nothing to worry about."
I guess we all keep secrets, Claudia thought as she spooned some rice onto her plate. Changing the subject, she quickly brought up the topic of school. "So how's Winter River High been in the past week?" she questioned.
"Slow. It's midterm week, but I think you're excused 'cause you came in late and you haven't been there for awhile. So breathe easy," he laughed.
She sighed. "Good. I hadn't even begun to worry about studying, so this is good news."
"We aim to please."
They finished the food over general conversation, exchanging abridged life stories. She explained her origin and he gave her the basic rundown: he was born to two lawyers who were barely around, so he basically survived on his own. The car was a sixteenth birthday present that he had souped up over the two years since receiving it.
"So you're eighteen?" she asked, slightly surprised.
"Damn straight, and don't you forget it," he chuckled. "I told you I was a senior."
"Yeah…silly me, I totally forgot. You just seem so much older, like you belong in college or something."
"Well with my grades, I do belong in college. I could have graduated last year 'cause I got enough credits, but I decided to hang around to slack off."
Claudia laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Nah, I'm just pulling your leg. I'm an average student, B's and C's and A's. But I have a seat reserved at any college I want, thanks to mom and dad," Ben explained, still laughing.
She smirked and sighed, unable to believe that he had actually led her on like that. Goes to show how gullible I am.
When they had exhausted all the food and conversation, Ben threw down enough cash to pay for both their meals and escorted her out to the car. Opening the door for her like a gentlemen, he eased her in and went around to the driver's side, where he slid in and pumped the engine.
"Well, where to now?" he asked.
"What time is it?"
"Almost six."
"Is it ok if I go home? Not that I'm worried, just that I don't like pushing Mom's buttons if I don't have to."
"Sure. High, ho, Silver!" he exclaimed, pealing out of the lot at breakneck speed.
Claudia screamed and he slammed on the brakes, stopping on a dime and turning to give her a weird look. "You ok?"
She couldn't possibly tell him she was afraid of his driving too fast. She couldn't explain her fear of insane, high speeds, why she couldn't ride roller coasters or even a train without getting nervous. Bad memories…
"Just…surprised, is all. Sorry…" she apologized.
He took the hint and drove more slowly, cruising only a few miles over the speed limit. They arrived back at Claudia's house and she was relieved to see the brown hose still hanging from the window.
"Thanks for the day out. I better be getting back inside. See you at school on Monday, hopefully," she said as she climbed out.
"No problem. Call me anytime you want a getaway car."
"…I don't really have your number."
"Yeah, well you know what James Taylor says. 'You just call out my name…'," he sang a little off-key.
"And you'll come running. I'd still like your number."
"And I'd like a full tank of premium gas for free. It's healthy to want. See you in school," he grinned and drove out before she could protest.
