Lonely Together

'Oh you are so in trouble sweetheart.'

As per usual I had to work all weekend, but for once I didn't mind, because Monday morning my Mother would be home then we were off on our little beach getaway, and I couldn't wait. I loved the beach; I loved to hear the wave's crash on the shore, the feeling of the sand in between my toes, it was bliss. One of the last good memories I had of my Father was at the beach. He had taken me on one of his visits before they stopped. We'd had a really good day; we made sandcastles and ate junk food. It was the memory I clung to the most when it came to him. I kept the thought of making new ones with my Mother in mind to make my nights at work go by quicker. Jodie was going away with her family too and Colbie was spending the week with Theo, the campus would be dead so they would have some time together just the two of them. Warren and his friends had a road trip planned, it was boys only so no Selena. Was I a little bit happy about that? Yes I was. He had told me the night before at the park. We had gone back to have our rematch on the climbing frame, he was right he had won, although I was pretty sure I would have won if I wasn't still wearing my work skirt. It had felt a tad awkward at first when he came to get me but as soon as I met him outside the bar, I had forgotten all the awkwardness. I just wanted to spend time with him and if that was the case I had to get over it; I would have to get over him. We had walked and joked around until nearly 4am then we parted ways, no incidents, no close calls, nothing. My Sunday night shift was nearly finished and I hoped I would have enough time to pack before he came around. He offered to meet me from work but I had told him he didn't have to, Ben had already said he would give me a ride home. I hoped that it wasn't just my imagination that had created the look that had momentarily graced his features when I told him. We closed up for the night and Ben drove me home.

  'So are you doing anything nice for spring break?' I politely asked.

  'A few of us are going to Cancun.'

  'Wow that's exciting.'

  'Yea I couldn't afford it at first but my Father helped me out, he said it was a reward for going out and earning my own money.' He explained.

  'That's really nice; it's nice that you have a good relationship with your Dad.'

  'Yea he's a good guy. What about you, are you doing anything?' He asked.

  'Yea my Mom and I are going to the coast for a few days.'

  'That's cool.'

We pulled up in front of my house and I turned to thank him for the ride but he spoke first. He suddenly looked very flushed.

  'Listen, I was just wondering when we are both back if you would like to go out some time?' He rushed.

I didn't know what to say. I hadn't expected that at all. Why was Warren always right?

  'Like a date?'

  'Well, yes like a date. I thought maybe we could catch a movie then grab something to eat.' He suggested hopefully, the blush creeping up his cheeks.

Oh god I had to give him an answer. He was a lovely boy and I liked him very much but not like that; not like I liked Warren. It would be so much easier for everyone if perhaps I saw them the other way around. Or was this a good opportunity to forget what I felt for Warren? Maybe I should give Ben a chance. No, that wasn't fair to do to him. I couldn't play with someone's feelings like that for my own benefit.

  'Can I think about it? I've just got so much going on at the minute with school and work.'

  'Yea, yes of course you can yea I mean I totally get it. Take your time.'