Chapter 3-Date With David

When I came to my senses I couldn't believe what I did. I'd known Cole for what was it? Twenty-four hours! I didn't do it because I wanted to, I only did it to make him feel better. I only did it to make him feel better. On the other hand, it was only a kiss. Two kisses. It wasn't even worth it, well, it almost wasn't worth it. What will David think? He'll be here soon, my shift ends in five minutes and then he'll be here. It's not a big deal! I shouldn't even bother him with it. He's probably too busy studying before he goes to intern at his uncles lab. Why can't I just tell him! It doesn't even matter.

David: Melinda?

Me:

David: Are you ready to go?

Me: Yeah.

David: Okay, well I'll wait for you outside.

I escaped to the backroom where everyone was supposed to put their things during the day, I only wished that this place had enough money to buy some lockers. Then we wouldn't have to spread out all our stuff on a plain table. I saw car keys, shoes, a basketball, a can of spray cheese and my clothes. I saw nobody coming so instead of going into the bathrooms, which had probably already become toxic by now, I quickly took off my uniform. I put on the denim shorts I packed and I struggled to find the tank top I packed. Where was it? Did I drop it? Oh God! I heard someone coming closer on the faded and oddly loud tile. I can't find it! Someone's coming! I'll just wear my uniform shirt. Where's my uniform top? Aah! As the steps grew closer I couldn't find any clothing to wear. So I improvised.

Cole: Melinda? Are you in here? Mel-

He started laughing. I knew I looked ridiculous, but there was only one option left. I looked at myself in the cracked mirror across the small room. I looked even worse then I thought. Now with a hole un the bottom of the plastic bag I was ready to go to a catwalk. I wished that I chose a paper bag because as I looked into the mirror I noticed that plastic was see through. I crossed my arms across my chest as Cole got a grip of himself.

Cole: Sorry.

Me:

Cole: I found this outside.

He handed me my tank top, I accepted it with one hand trying to hold the bag up. He chuckled to himself and turned around automatically. Like he knew I would glare at him all day if he looked at me like that again.

I put on the tank top fast and I found my uniform top under the table. How did it get there? I wrapped up the clothes I wasn't wearing in the remains of the bag and redid the ponytail I had.

Cole: Can I look now?

Me: Yes, but I'm leaving.

Cole: Where are you going?

Me: Somewhere.

I truthfully didn't know where we were going, but if it was with David it'd be fine wherever we went. Cole lingered in the room until I left and I didn't mind. I didn't mind that he kissed me, I didn't mind that I kissed him back, oddly I don't think I minded him seeing me in the storage room.

David: Are you ready?

Me: Yeah. Where are we going?

David: Melinda…I'm only fifteen.

Me: Okay, well, I'm fifteen too.

David: I can only drive with an adult in the passenger seat. I have my permit, just not my license, but I'm going to get my actual license in August, hopefully on my sixteenth birthday.

Me: Oh, so who's the adult that's going with us?

David: My mom. I don't have any older siblings and my cousin is on a trip to Europe. Sorry.

Me: Don't be sorry David, it's okay. Besides your parents need to get to know me. From what they've probably heard I'd better introduce myself as soon as possible.

David: Right.

David stopped in front of a shiny new jeep. The black interior that almost glistened indicated that he'd just bought it. Who knew a jeep could look so fancy? I saw the passenger door open and two legs come out. Then, a body. It was David's mom. She had dark, brown, and long hair. She wasn't very tall but she was taller then David. She had a smile on her face and I could tell it was a fake.

David's Mom: Melinda! Hello darling! How are you?

Me: I'm fine. Hi Mrs. Petrakis.

David's Mom: So where are we going David?

David: Well, I was thinking that Melinda and I would just go to my house for a while then we'd go to dinner.

David's Mom: Great!

Me: David?

David: Yeah?

Me: I was wondering if afterwards we could go to the library, I wanted to start my summer reading list early, but I didn't have any of the books so I have to go to the library.

David: Sure, that's on the way to my house anyway.

David's Mom:

Me: Thanks.

I sat in the backseat as silence filled the vehicle. I twiddled my thumbs, hoping that someone would bring up a conversation. I looked out the window and saw trees, nothing but trees. Lately the town mayor has been on this rave about stopping global warming and planting more trees to make more oxygen. That meant that I'd have new subjects to observe.

David's Mom: So, Melinda, what do you think about all the new trees?

Me: Well, Mrs. Petrakis, I think it will be good for our environment.

David's Mom: You can call me Cindy dear, and I think it will be nice to have some scenery around here. I also heard that they are going to build a hotel somewhere in town.

Me: Hmm.

A few minutes passed before we got to the library. Cindy decided that she'd wait in the car while David and I picked out a few books. I had no idea what to get. It was like sending me into a clothes store. I'll just end up picking the worst. I noticed that David had already found a few novels. I picked a shelf and started looking.

David: Can't find anything?

Me: Not really.

David: If you haven't read these, they're a good series.

David handed me seven books, each seemed to grow heavier and bigger. I looked down at the title of the last book. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I read the first book of the series when I was in the third grade, but it wouldn't hurt to reread it. I smiled at him. At least when I was done with the series I'd be over halfway through the list.

Me: I think we should go now.

David: Right, yeah. Want me to carry those books?

Me: No, I've got them.

Once we were in the car everything went silent again. I didn't mind silence, I enjoyed it, but I might as well strike a conversation.

Me: So, David, what have you been up to lately?

David: Well, usually studying, for my uncles lab, I'm planning to go there in July. A few residents are willing to talk to a few people that are currently studying medicine about what it's like to be a doctor. We might get to ask questions too.

Me: Oh.

When we got there I was stunned by David's house. It was huge! It had three stories and I could see an in ground pool. It wasn't the type of house that had maids and butlers, but it was definitely way better then my small one story house. David got out and opened the door for me while Cindy moved to the drivers seat.

Cindy: I'm going to run a few errands. I'll be back in a few hours.

David: Bye mom.

David gave me a quick tour of his house and we went to his room. He had a bunk bed, the top was a bed and the bottom was a couch. He also had a flat screen TV, a fancy computer and I could see a doctor coat hanging on his chair.

Me: So, you really want to be a doctor?

David: More then you know. So, how's the art thing going?

Me: Well, it's pretty good. I got a few new pencils last week.

David: Cool.

Me: So what do you want to do?

David: Well, we could watch a movie or we could play pool, we just bought a new pool table or we could ride the four wheelers.

Me: You can choose.

David: Okay, what movie do you want to watch?

Me: You can choose.

David: Okay.

I never paid enough attention to the movie to figure out what it was. Just being with David was enough. We sat next to each other and shared a box of popcorn. Just like any other normal date. When the movie was over David took me out to the backyard. Instantly I was mystified. I could see tons of miracles. There were birches and oaks and maples, spruces and fir and pine. They were all arranged beautifully surrounded by round hills and soft grass.

David: Melinda? Are you okay?

I felt a tear roll down my cheek. It was beautiful, it was like all my drawings put together. I couldn't help but to hug David. I heard the jeep come rolling in and the horn beeped.

David: We should go. Don't worry Melinda, you can come back whenever you want.

Me: Okay. So, now where are we going?

David: To a restaurant, I hope.

I smiled. I was sad to leave the scene, but I knew I'd be back. When I got in the fancy jeep I could hear a cheery song. I enjoyed it.

You could be happy and I won't knowBut you weren't happy the day I watched you all the things that I wish I had not said,Are played in loops till it's madness in my it too late to remind you how we were?But not our last days of silent screaming of what I remember makes me sureI should've stopped you from walking out the could be happy I hope you areYou made me happier than I'd been by farSomehow everything I own, smells of youand for the tiniest moment it's all not the things that you always wanted toWithout me there to hold you back, don't think just doMore than anything I want to see you girlTake a glorious bite out of the whole world

You Could Be Happy-Snow Patrol

Gladly we didn't go to a big fancy restaurant, I was only wearing denim shorts and a black tank top. We went to a Perkins, which I haven't been to in over three years, even Perkins was to expensive for us. This time Cindy came in with us. I didn't mind her that much, but I did wish she didn't ask me so many questions, what my middle name was, how old I am, did I have any pets, and of course, if David and I were officially together.

I answered all the questions with less then five words as I ate my small bowl of soup. David explained a few of my answers and he was definitely trying to take the attention off me. I hated being the main target at anything, in our 2nd grade pageant I would be a bush or rock because I wouldn't speak. David's mom went to pay the check.

David: Don't worry, next time we can just hang around my house or if you want we could go to your house.

I almost laughed. My house. Disorganized, small, trashy, filled with yelling arguments and of course my drawings. On the last day of school I decided to do something simple, just hang up one picture, where everyone would see it. I chose one that I did during the winter, it was of a pine tree covered on fresh snow. Then, dad asked me to put up another. So I did. Then there just had to be one more. Before I knew it there were pictures everywhere.

Cindy: Ready to go kids?

(Okay, this was the next chapter. Hope you laughed…I'd even settle for a frail smirk, but I wrote this pretty fast and it was a long time ago, so I might not have another chapter for a while…anyway…peace/\love\/see ya