Just wanted to say thanks for reading. And to the person that left the review, No I'm not offended. I get that it may be hard for people to picture Lacey as a chubby girl or even Jo as a boy. I get that not everyone will like or understand my story. I honestly debated whether to do that or not, because i knew people would not like that. But in the end, the story makes total sense to me. I'm grateful for the few people who like, understand and read my story. Putting your thoughts out into the world isn't always an easy thing to do, when it's not accepted or received well, so I Thank You many times over.
Lacey is quiet throughout the ride home. Danny initially thinks it's because of what happened earlier in school, but he senses that's it's more to it than that.
"What's wrong? You seem tense."
"Nothing." She lies, hoping it sounds like the truth.
"Come on Lacey. I can tell something is wrong. Are you still upset about what happened earlier?''
"No. I'm over that. I was actually the one that got us in trouble."
"So, what is it then?"
Lacey is scrambling her brain and desperately trying to think of a quick lie.
"I'm still nervous about singing at the assembly, that's all." She hopes that he accepts her lie as the truth and lets it go. She really, REALLY doesn't want to tell him what's really wrong. She just met him and he might not take it well.
"Well, you know you could always just picture the audience naked or in their underwear." He flashes her the grin she's starting to love and hate. His smile does something to her.
"Picturing people naked or in their underwear doesn't work. I've pictured you naked, and it only makes things worse."
Shit! Did I just say that out loud? Dammit!
Danny is pleasantly startled by her outburst and looks over at her. She's clearly embarrassed after turning red and clamping her lips shut.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud."
"It's ok, Lacey."
She still looks horrified by her outburst. And Danny is getting a kick out of it. He can see her mentally cursing herself for letting that slip.
"So, you've pictured me naked?"
Lacey turns to look at him with eyes the size of saucers.
Shit! Shit! Shit! Why did i have to open up my big mouth and say that?
"No, I don't. I made a mistake. What I meant to say was-"
"Oh, you meant it. Just admit it. Nobody will know but us."
Damn him!
She nods her head and looks away as an answer. Danny can't control himself at her confession. He's wondered things about her too.
"So what was I doing when you pictured me naked?"
"Shut up Danny! It's not funny. Besides, I'm probably not the only girl who has ever pictured you naked."
"So?"
"So it isn't a big deal."
"It is to me."
"Why?"
"Because you don't seem like the rest of the girls at school who really just wanna see me like that."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because I know."
"You don't know anything Danny. I could fantasize about you at night, and you would never know."
"So you're admitting that you fantasize about me too?"
"No!"
"Yes you do."
"I hate you."
Danny takes that as a sign to laugh. Lacey starts laughing too. She has totally forgot how uncomfortable she was being in Danny's car alone with him. He somehow riles her up and puts her at ease at the same time.
How is he able to do that? He makes me feel like a different person when I'm around him. I hardly even think about it when I'm with him.
Lacey is amazed to find that they are sitting in front of her house. And she's not ready to leave just yet, but she knows she should. She starts to make her way out of the car when he says,
"Can you stay for a little bit?"
Against her better judgement, she decides to stay.
"Ok."
"So, I think if we're gonna go out on a date, we should at least get to know each other a little better, don't you think?"
"Yes. So what do you wanna know?"
"Lots of things. Your favorite color, where you're from, things you like and dislike, do you have any brothers or sisters, you know, normal things."
"Well, My favorite color is pink, I'm from Baltimore, I like sunsets, music and dolphins, i don't like spiders and heights, and I have one younger sister named Clara. What about you?"
"My favorite color is red, I like football, music and cars, I don't like being bored or snakes and I'm an only child. Oh and I like girls named Lacey."
Lacey looks at him and smiles, revealing her dimple.
"I like dimples too."
He's really making me about to fall for him. And I can't. I want to, but I can't. And I hope he never finds out about my past. He won't look at me the same.
Danny and Lacey continue talking about nothing and everything. Then something hits Lacey.
"Shouldn't you be at football practice?"
"We never practice on Tuesdays. How did you know I play football?"
"Phoebe."
"Of course. What else did she tell you?"
"Nothing."
Danny looks at her like he knows she's lying. He knows Phoebe talks too much. He loves her like a sister, but the girl never knows when to keep quiet.
"She only told me that you and Sarita used to go out. And that people think..."
"That people think I'm gay because I don't sleep around?"
Lacey doesn't answer, but he knows that's the case. He looks at her with want in his eyes.
"Do you think I'm gay, Lacey?"
"No."
"Nobody understands that I might be saving myself for someone special." He says this while looking directly into her eyes. Lacey feels hot. Like she can't breathe. She thinks it's time for her to go in the house.
"Well, I understand it."
"I knew you would. Give me your phone."
"Why?"
"So i can give you my number."
Lacey hands him her phone and he dials his own, locking her number in before handing her phone back to her.
"Well, thanks for the ride."
"No problem. I'll call or text you later."
"Ok." Lacey says as she gets out of his car and walks up the path to her house. She can feel his eyes on her as she's walking. She's grateful that she's walking away from him so that he can't see the tears that have started to fall.