Runaway

Chapter 10

"Mai!" Dave sighs in relief when he sees me. "What'd you do to get suspended!?"

"I- Well it wasn't my fault." I tell him. "I don't want to talk about it right now. Can we please go home?"

"Ok," he responds, worry all over his face. He takes my bag for me and takes me to the car, waving goodbye to Shawn.

***

When we get home, Aunt Joyce is there too.

I open the door and she runs over to me. "What happened hon?" She exclaims, wrapping me into a hug.

"I'm so sorry," I cry, "he just made me so mad, I couldn't let him get away with it."

Joyce looks at Dave as he stands behind me. He shrugs back at her and she refocuses her attention on me. "Who?"

"Collins," I answer, "he told everyone we slept together." I release from the hug and look up at Aunt Joyce. Her eyes grow wide as she hears what Collins did.

"So why were you suspended?"

"I punched him in the nose," I sniffle. "I'm so sorry I won't ever do it again..." I continue apologizing, when I realize neither of them look mad. They look at each other and Dave lifts up his hand. I stare back confused.

"High five!" He exclaims. I reluctantly high five him then look back at Aunt Joyce.

"That a*shole had it coming," she scoffs, lifting her hand for a high five too. I laugh and they both join in. "I'm glad you stood up for yourself Mai. Even if it didn't exactly work out well for you."

"Thank you," I reply, squeezing their hands.

"But don't get suspended again, he's not worth it," Dave tells me, raising his eyebrows expectantly.

"I won't," I assure him with a smile. I start to leave when Dave stops me.

"You should let Shawn know you're okay," he says. "He looked worried." I smile in agreement and walk to my room. I sit on the bed for a while, finally able to relax after the stressful morning I had. My phone dings loudly as I get a text message. It's from Dave: Shawn's mobile number. I laugh a little and add his contact to my phone.

I scroll to his number when I remember he's still in school. Instead, I type out a text: Hey, it's Mai I'm okay just so you know. "Hmmm that doesn't sound right." I type and re-type a thousand different messages until finally I settle for a simple: Hey. I toss my phone across my bed and stare at the ceiling while I wait for a response. My phone dings and I scurry to see the message. There's no text, instead, there's an email.

Mai Fuller, I'm so glad you're interested in working at Crepes Café! Please let me know when the best time for an interview would be.

"I got an interview!" I shout excitedly. I look around my room, realizing I was talking to myself. Nice to know I'm going insane. I jump up to go tell the others when I hear another ding come from my phone.

Shawn: Hey? Who is this

Mai: It's Mai, Dave gave me your number.

Shawn: Oh hey. What's up

Did he seem dry or was that just me? I erase the negative thoughts from my mind and slowly work up the courage to respond.

Mai: Did you wanna hang out later?

I fiddle with my thumbs before hitting send. "This is so embarrassing," I think to myself, cringing. I don't know the first thing about boys and honestly, I had never had it become a problem before. My stomach churns as I stare back at my phone screen, waiting for a response. "Ugh he's not going to answer why would I even send that," I worry. Finally, I get an answer.

Shawn: Sure, what'd you have in mind?

My heart leaps as I read his message. I feel a faint smile form on my face as I think about hanging out with him. I quickly snap out of it and craft a response.

Mai: Hmm you choose

Shawn: You're in for a treat Fuller.

A small laugh escapes my lips as I read the message and I feel my heart jump again. I shake out the weird feeling and put my phone aside. I dig through my school bag, looking for work to occupy myself with, when I find the paper Collins and I started. "Gross," I think to myself. I crumble up the paper and toss it in the garbage. Screw Mrs. Berkley's partner paper, I'm doing it myself.

***

I worked on the paper for a few hours, before finally deciding it was time for a break. I look at the clock beside my bed. 4 pm. "Shawn is going to be out of school soon," I think to myself. My stomach jumps when I think about him. I don't recognize this feeling, but I know it's special.

I'm not sure what Shawn is going to plan for us, or even if it really counts as a date, but still I want to look nice. I head into the kitchen to see what Aunt Joyce and Dave are up to. Joyce is in the kitchen, heating up some leftovers for dinner, while Dave is reading a book on the sofa.

"I need some advice," I blurt. They both look up at me and I elaborate awkwardly. "I kind of asked Shawn out? I didn't really say it was a date exactly but I- well- I want it to be a date. I think?" A smile spreads across Aunt Joyce's face as she runs up to me excitedly.

"What did Shawn say?" She asks giddily.

"My exact words were hang out," I clarify. "So it's not really a date right?" She laughs at my expression then signals me to keep going. "Ok and then he said sure what'd you have in mind and I told him to choose."

"Ok well that's good right?" Dave chimes in, from the couch.

"I think?"

"Yes! This is great," Aunt Joyce assures me. "What are you going to wear?"

"That's why I needed help," I reply, embarrassed.

"Can't help in that department," Dave laughs, as Aunt Joyce pulls my hand and drags me back into my room.

"Okay," she begins. "I know exactly what you should wear!" She rummages through my closet until finding the perfect dress. It's not too fancy but also not too casual. The sage green dress ends above my knees, pinching at the waist. The back is cut out and it flows down my body perfectly.

"It brings out your eyes," Aunt Joyce squeals, zipping up the back for me. I smile at her through the mirror.

I decide to leave my natural curls and touch up my makeup. I smear some liquid blush onto my cheeks (careful not to cover my freckles) and apply mascara to my lashes. I take a deep breath and look in the mirror. My heart aches when I realize I look like my mom.

The sound of the doorbell interrupts my thoughts, and I hear Shawn's voice from the kitchen. I spritz a small amount of perfume in the air and run through it, before making my way to the kitchen.

I turn the corner and see Shawn. He's talking with Aunt Joyce and Dave, leaning against the island in the kitchen. He's wearing a tight, white dress shirt and dark blue jeans. He looks over at me and our eyes meet. I quickly look away and clear my throat.

"So where are we going?" I ask Shawn.

"A pub restaurant nearby," he smirks. "You look nice."

I feel my heart stop beating for a split second. "Oh yeah well- thank you," I stutter. I feel my cheeks flush red and my palms get sweaty.

"I think you meant beautiful," Lily whispers. I roll my eyes, ignoring her comment. I reach for my white vans (the only pair of shoes I ever wear) and put them on.

"Alright kids," Joyce shouts, "be back before 11 and be safe." Dave stands beside her, a wide smile on his face. I shake my head at them, laughing and shove Shawn out the door.

I get in the passenger seat of Shawn's car and fasten my seat belt. "Are you excited?" Shawn asks me, grinning.

"Very."