Last Year of Seventeen

Chapter 8 - What's In A Name

The planning of the Dates happened on the day August approached me about the bet. Right after we agreed on how the chase would play out, I opened the ideas for the dates that would follow. What she wanted was just to fake it and tell our friends that we did even if we didn't.

"In order to be convincing, we actually have to have stories to tell and photos to show."

I know Theo will not be silenced until he sees a photo of August and I together. Up until now, he still couldn't believe August agreed on a date with me. And he saw that with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears. They were watching the whole affair from our round table directly in view of the Dames. Yet, it was still unfathomable.

"Alright," August agreed. "But I'll choose where we are going and when. Everything should fit my schedule."

"That's a bit selfish. You need my help more than I need yours. I'm only here because I'm bored. You're in it for the money." I remember telling her.

It was the hardest deal I had to close in my life and I've done a lot of bargaining with my parents. Fortunately, August is the kind of girl who listens to logic and reasons. In the end, we agreed that in the five dates she mentioned in the contract she wrote, I'll be deciding two. And in those two, everything will be up to me.

Unfortunately for me, I lost a game of rock-paper-scissors– the most reliable method in decision making. In our case, who will get to choose the first date.

I stood in front of Star Kingdom, a theme park owned by one of my father's business partners. I offered to have it closed for the entire day, just for the two of us, but August blatantly refused. It'll be no fun, she said. I didn't like the long lines, I told her. But she's deciding this date, not I. "Do your own thing, when it's your time. I won't say a word" was her argument, so I yielded.

We were supposed to meet at nine but it's now a quarter past ten. August is late. I entertained the idea that maybe she decided not to come after all, but I don't think she's that kind of person. So I waited. It did give me the time to ponder how much I hate theme parks and how I've never been back to one since I was eight. It's the kind of crowd I despise. Especially the little kids who are always so excited with the most daring rides but would often come out crying or vomiting or both afterwards.

"Hey! Hughes!" I heard August called out. I spun around looking for her, I realized I've never seen her out of uniform and for a second I got scared I might not recognize her. But I saw her right away, running towards me in a white cap that still allows a high ponytail.

She was heaving when she got to where I was so I offered my hand for support. She took it and said in between breaths, "I am so sorry for being late!"

I let her catch air, she looked like she really needed it.

August was wearing a denim jumpsuit with gray, knitted long sleeves and a dirty Star Wars themed Vans. I realized we were matching, because I too was wearing a gray, long-sleeved shirt.

"You will not believe what happened to me."

"I'll believe everything you say." I replied. If it was anyone else, I would have left. But I didn't feel angry in the least. I was too excited and was too pleased to finally see August in a different fit. "Tell me on the way in. I already bought our tickets."

Apparently she left home three hours early, just like she always does. But the bus she was in got in an accident. The driver was drunk and hit another bus because he went out of his lane. She did hit her head because of the impact and was required by the First-Aiders to wait an hour to check for any concussion. Luckily, apart from the slight scratch on her forehead, which she showed me, she suffered no other injuries. She was also requested in the police station to leave a testimony. She took a cab right after to get here as soon as she could. She wanted to send me a text message but realized she didn't have my number so she kind of hoped I would just leave instead of waiting.