Dreams of an Absolution

Moonlit Date (Episode 41)

The school's senior prom had ended shortly after the show stealing dance. After all that excitement, Skyler tried to make his way out of the ballroom quickly with his hands in his pockets. He wanted to avoid every form of social confrontation, which was nearly impossible.

Students were chanting his name as they all walked on out of the gym behind him, cheering. He couldn't help but grin with a red face, as he tipped his fedora so it covered his eyes, making his way out of the school in style. The DJ announced as everyone left, "HAVE A DAMN GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!"

A few minutes had gone by, as Skyler was now walking down the sidewalk on the street of the school with his hands in his pockets. He was admiring the night sky, feeling joyous on the inside.

But then, not even twenty feet away from him, Skyler's ears picked up on running footsteps behind him. Instinctively, Skyler turned his head, and there she was. The girl he had danced with tonight.

"Heh, uhhh hiya!", chuckled the girl while nervously rubbing the back of her head. "Oh uh, hey. It's you again. By the way thanks for-" "WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO DANCE LIKE THAT?!?" Exclaimed the girl, cutting Skyler off excitedly.

With a shy smirk, he replied ,"Well what can I say? I'm just a smooth guy." The girl gave him snarky smirk with her hand on her chin. "Okay! I see you mister smooth guy!" This made Skyler blush and roll his eyes. "Ehhh it was nothing," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

The girl's expression then became more relaxed. With a soft smile on her face, she began speaking from the heart, "You know, tonight has been one of the funnest nights I've had in a long time. Thank you for that."

Gaining his composure, Skyler smiled back and replied, "Same to you. Tonight was probably the best night of my life. To be honest, I only came to buy food, and hell I didn't even get to eat. And yet, I feel really happy nonetheless."

Before Skyler could say another word, she pulled out her wallet and said to him, "Speaking of, and it's alright if the answer is no, but i wanted to ask if you'd want to, I don't know... grab a bite?" She blushed the second after asking.

Skyler's face had turned bright red as well, before he replied, "If you really mean it, I'd love that." Not even giving a response, the girl eagerly took Skyler by the hand and began to speed walk, happily dragging him along. Excited, the girl turned around while jogging and said, "By the way, my name's Annie. What's your name?"

Skyler was overwhelmed with this feeling he had never felt before. "Skyler," he softly responded, staring at her in awe. The girl happily glanced back once more while still guiding Skyler by the hand and shouted, "I love that name! Skyler. It's so unique and cool sounding! Keep up the pace though! I know the perfect place for grub but it closes soon!"

Skyler then blushed once more, and smirked. Suddenly, Skyler swept Annie off her feet, and was now running with her in his arms. "If they're closing soon, we might as well pick up the pace like you said. Right? Give the directions," exclaimed Skyler with a determined, yet happy look on his face. Annie, more red than ever, smiled brightly and pointed ahead where to go.

Five minutes later, the two had sat down and ate dinner at a nearby diner. They had chatted and laughed together for twenty minutes straight while enjoying their food. Feelings were blossoming within both of them. Before they had even knew it, it was already 9:30 P.M. at night.

Checking the time on her phone while laughing at Skyler's joke, Annie chuckled, "Wow. I guess we were having too much fun that the universe had to speed up time." Skyler giggled back and replied, "Guess so."

The both of them had nearly finished eating her meal, when something caught Skyler's attention. Annie's happy expression switched to looking a little sad.

"Something wrong?", Skyler asked worryingly. Annie looked at him, and then quickly turned away. The question had completely caught her off guard.

"Oh it's... it's nothing really. I'm just kinda bummed out that the night's almost over is all. This is the most fun I've had in a long time, like I said. I guess I'm just not ready for it to end," Annie said with a light blush, looking down at the table sadly.

Skyler, feeling bad, reached across the diner table to put his hand on her shoulder, and said with a smile, "Well, the feeling is mutual, Annie." Skyler then blushed again as Annie did the same. But, her expression was more uplifted. As Skyler sat back down, he continued, "I've never been shown this much kindness. Not in a long time. And, I've never enjoyed being around another person this much. Especially from someone I just met today. So thank you Annie, for that."

Annie smiled brightly, as tears welled up in her eyes. Though, she tried to cover her face to avoid embarrassment. "It's uh, nothing really. " She replied shyly. Looking up at a clock on the diner's wall, Skyler sighed and said, "Welp, I guess it is time we call it a night, huh? The place is about to close. Besides, wouldn't want you staying out too late." Staring at him in a lovestruck gaze, she replied, "Yeah, you're right. Let's get going."

With that, they both grabbed their containers of leftovers and walked out of the diner. "So, where do you live Annie?", asked Skyler. "Not too far from here. You don't have to walk me home if you don't want to."

Skyler raised his eyebrow and smirked at her. "Now what kinda man would let a pretty little lady like yourself walk home alone this late at night?" Annie laughed, replying, "I wouldn't call myself pretty, but if a cute boy like yourself said it, then I guess there's a chance that it could be a little true. You really are quite the charmer Skyler."

In seemingly no time, they had arrived at Annie's house. "Well, here it is. Guess the saying that time goes by quicker when you're having fun is true," said Annie in a bit of a sad tone of voice.

Without a second train of thought, Skyler went up to her, and gave her a soft hug. He then quickly stepped back and let go, as they both then just glared at each other for a few seconds. They were both more red than a tomato. The moonlight once more shined down on them tonight, as they began to part ways.

But, right before Skyler could fully turn around, he was halted by a "Wait!", from Annie. "Would you like to, hangout tomorrow? At the Echo Valley park?" Smirking, Skyler replied, "See ya at twelve o'clock tomorrow, Annie." Annie then smiled brightly, waving Skyler goodbye from her porch as he walked down the moonlit sidewalk with his hands in his pockets.