A Reason 2 Smile

Goodbye Innocence

I put on my headphones and play my Old Rock playlist. Tristan's number was in my contacts from the first time we met, hopefully he's still in the neighborhood. Maybe he can pick me up and we can ride somewhere.

Me: Wherever you are, stop and drive back to Thomas Dr.

Tristan: Why?

Me: Just do it. K?

Tristan: K. Heading back now.

I wait at the corner for Tristan. A few minutes later he finally drives up and opens the door, "Hop in Emma. Where were you thinking of going?". I sit next to him and sigh.

"I don't know yet, just drive."

"Okay then, let's go.", Tristan steps on the gas and the city lights stream past. I look over at him, smiling. I got away with it. For once, I got away with it.

---*---

The Things You Learn In 30 minutes-

Tristan was 19 and living on his own

His parents kicked him out when he was 15

I was in love

---*---

I laugh as Tristan finishes telling me a story about some bar fight that he got into. "I think I know where I want to go.".

Tristan looks over at me, "Where?"

"Wherever you're going."

"What do you mean?", he asks, smiling.

"Well, we've been driving for half an hour. You must have some place in mind."

"Yeah, I might.", Tristan pulls into the parking lot of a small apartment complex. He turns off the car and opens my door for me. I take his hand and try to step out of the truck, but instead I trip over my own feet and fall onto Tristan. He laughs and stares into my eyes and kisses me. I kiss back, wrapping my arms around Tristans neck. He pulls me into the complex and to his apartment.

It was filled with music equipment and band posters. Tristan kisses me once more and I sit on the couch. He sits besides me and puts his arm around me. I look at him, "Are you in a band?".

"Yeah. Wanna' hear some of our music?"

"Of course I do.", I lay down on the couch and he throws a pillow at me playfully. Tristan turns on some pop punk music and picks up a PRS Custom 24 electric guitar, playing along. I watch as he rocks out, Tristan was really talented.

We spend another hour just singing and playing music, well, with the occasional kissing in between. I don't think that I've ever had a better day. I check my phone. It was almost two in the morning. I feel my energy dying out and begin to yawn. Tristan looks over at me, "You tired?".

"A little bit.", I sit on his bed and yawn again, "It doesn't mean that we have to stop the party,". Tristan tucks the blanket over me and kisses me.

"Go to sleep Emma, I'll see you in the morning."

"What will my parents think?"

"They'll be happy that you got a good night's rest.", he messes with my hair and starts walking out of his bedroom.

"Tristan?", I sit back up. He comes back in.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you.", I whisper, trying to hold back the tears. I didn't have to think about what was going on in my life when I was around others. I hated the night because of it. When everyone leaves, and I'm alone in the dark, my mind wanders to places that I can block out in the day. I wanted to stay up until dawn, I wanted to- sleep takes over.