Burnouts

Sorry I'm Late

Scene 1: E 78th Street

Audrey Michaels

Her hand rests on my waist, mine on her face and she lets me kiss her. She keeps letting me. Though, every time it happens I'm scared it'll be the last.

"Do they know what we're doing in here?" I ask. There's been a lot of giggling but not a lot of talking...

"Why, are you worried?" Natalia smiles.

"No, I just think we're obvious."

"Well, they might. Does that bother you?"

"No," I smile back.

"Am I the first girl you've liked?"

"You're the first girl I've liked this much."

"Who did you like before?" She says, a little stunned by my response.

"Alison."

"Alison?"

"Yes," I roll my eyes at the memory. "That's why I took Ethan from her, but then I actually started to like Ethan...so jokes on me."

Natalia laughs, "That's how you handle your feelings?"

"I wasn't sure what I was feeling...she was my friend, I thought I just liked her better than everyone else."

"And with me?"

"As soon as you told me your name, I wanted to write it next to mine in a heart...but platonically, I thought."

"Platonically..."

"Not so much anymore."

I lean in, and our lips brush over each other's before she pulls me into her.

It feels innocent being wrapped in her arms. There's no shame in touching an angel.

"I don't mean to pressure you," Natalia says reluctantly, "but you should know that I fall fast."

"You're going to fall in love with me?"

"You sound surprised."

"Well, you'd be the first." And, I was so lonely without you.

Natalia frowns and gazes right into my eyes. "I wish I had a fountain for every person that made you think you're not easy to love."

We continue to stare at each other. It's almost unbelievable that she's serious...

No one has looked at me before and saw someone they wanted to love.

My eyes shift away in sudden shyness.

"I haven't been the nicest."

"I'll make you as nice as can be...though, I don't mind the Audrey that's only nice to me."

"I have to apologize to your brother, don't I?"

"Don't you dare."

"But what about your family?"

"The odds are in your favor. My mom thinks Cassidy is boring," Natalia smirks. "What about your family?"