We're Still Nerds

13~ An Extremely Productive Day

       The next day, my mother forced me to go to school, despite the fact that Shaun was still ridiculously sick. I was fine with it, of course, but Shaun would most likely be alone all day. The only problem was that I still didn't have a ride to school, and it was pouring down raining. "I'm sorry I can't drive you," Mom said, looking guilty. "I have to get to work early today. We have a budget meeting, and I can't afford to be late." I waved off her excuses. "It's fine, Mom. I'll take an umbrella." My mom gave me an incredulous look, putting her hands on her hips. "Cassandra Saria Grey, there is no way I'm going to let you walk to school in the rain. I'm calling Theresa." Dread filled my stomach, but I didn't protest. 

      My mom left the room, and I could here her talking on the phone, though I couldn't make out exactly what she was saying. I made out words such as 'Rain' and 'Work' and 'Okay', but that was it. Five minutes later, my mother came into the room, her face hard. "It's settled. Aidan's going to come and pick you up in a few minutes; his mother is calling him now, so he's almost here," she said, leaving no hint of protest. But I did it anyways. "I can't ride with Aidan, Mom! He hates me! How am I supposed to go a whole car ride alone with him? It's awkward enough to be in a crowded room with him!" 

        "We're not discussing it, Cassandra. It's been decided. He's probably on his way now." With that, my mother pulled on her jacket, grabbed her purse, and left the residence. I let out a whimper before collapsing on the couch. I stared out at the rain, knowing that this was going to be a bad day. Any morning that begins so horribly is destined to destroy everything else. Memories of the last time we'd been alone flashed before my eyes. Aidan's hands on my waist. His violet-blue eyes burning into mine. Arms circled around me, trapping me in. Then, pushing me away. 

           A car honk broke through my thoughts, and I groaned. I slung my bag onto my shoulders, pulled the hood of my sweatshirt up, and ran out into the rain. It was freezing, and I wished that my leather jacket was waterproof so I could wear it outside as I jogged to Aidan's blueish grey car, surprisingly new and expensive looking for a teenager's car. I pulled the passenger door open and ducked in, throwing my bag under my feet. I closed the door hastily and pulled on my seat belt, and then stared ahead for a moment to catch my breath. "Hi," I said finally. 

            "Hey." Aidan glanced over at me, and his eyes seemed to be sad and amused at the same time. How was that possible? He tapped the gas and the car sped forward into the downpour. I stared straight ahead, watching the windshield wipers swing back and forward as rhythmic as a ticking clock, only glancing over every once in a while to see Aidan's hand gripping the steering wheel ridiculously tight. "Are you okay?" I said in a rush, as if I couldn't help myself. "Peachy," Aidan said simply, but I could see the hardness in his jaw. "What, did you only just find out about Russel Crowe playing Superman's Dad? I get that Russel Crowe is a bit of an ass, but he won't ruin the movie that bad." 

               Aidan rolled his eyes. "Believe it or not, my main problems aren't movie adaptions of comic books, Grey." I snorted and put my feet up on his dashboard. "Well, you're life must be dramatic, then." Aidan glanced over and stared at my feet on the dashboard. "How many times have you been told by your parents not to do that? It leaves shoe marks on the dashboard. Feet down," he said mildly. "Oh, it was mostly my Dad. And even then, I usually won that argument. He had feet marks on his windshield all the time." 

               "I remember that," Aidan said in surprise. "During the summer, we would go and get drive-thru ice cream, and you wouldn't put on shoes. You'd put your feet up on the dash, and leave footprints. Mr. Grey would always tell you to put your feet down or you wouldn't get ice cream, you'd say that if you didn't get ice cream you'd tell your mother about the time the kitchen cabinet and had to fix it before she came home. Mr. Grey would always laugh, but he wouldn't say anything about putting your feet up after that. We would laugh at him..."