Impavid

Be Careful What You Wish For

     "Carson," Luke started to talk. I was gathering up my stuff, sliding my notebook back into my bag. I ignored him. I knew what he was going to say. I swung the strap over my shoulder, grunting softly at the weight. 

     "I'll see you tomorrow, Luke," My voice was cheery as I spoke, ignoring what I had seen earlier. I didn't look back over my shoulder as I left the building. I did, however, scream when suddenly there was the sound of footsteps like someone running and a hand grabbing my shoulder. I spun around to find a laughing Luke.

     "Relax," He rolled his eyes, his hand still on my shoulder, "It's just me." 

     "What?" I snapped at him, my heart still pounding. 

     "We should talk about earlier," He mumbled, obviously embarrassed.

     I shook my head. We really shouldn't. "Luke," I paused, thinking, "That's your business." 

    "It's yours now," He stated, "You saw. You know. You can tell people."

    I only shrugged. 

    "Will you?"

    "Tell?" I asked. He nodded. "No." I shook my head, "Again, it's not my business."

    He stepped forward, and I had the sudden feeling that he was going to kiss me. I tugged my arm away and smiled, waving my hand over my head as I crossed the street to my car. I could see him in the reflection of the windows of the shiny cars when the sun hit them just the right way, and the world sparkled. He was just watching me. I chose to not turn around. Instead, I just backed my car from the spot and flipped on my blinker as I pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road. He raised his hand in a wave as I drove past, but I didn't respond. 

     I didn't like how I was feeling. I was angry; I was confused; I was jealous. I felt a tear prick at my eye, and I realized that I didn't like Luke like that, but it was unfair that I couldn't have a relationship. I'd seen my parents, I'd seen Melanie, and now I'd seen Luke with someone. I grunted to myself, as I sped down the road toward my house. 

     When I pulled into the driveway, I found Dave's car. I knew Melanie wasn't due home for another hour. He always came early to "take advantage of an empty house." I was always hesitant of that phrase, but when I mentioned it to Melanie, she defensively said he had a lot of siblings and he liked to have a place to watch television without being bothered. While yes, Dave had three brothers and 4 sisters, making the total family count at his house 10 plus two dogs and a cat, it was still weird that he'd let himself into our house for some alone time. 

     I planned to either sit in my car or back out and drive around for a while. One, I didn't want to bother Dave's alone time. Two, I didn't want to be alone with Dave. I had just shifted my car into reverse when I saw Dave step out of the driver's side of his car. Shoot. I can't leave now. 

     I rolled down my window as he came up to me. "Hey." His voice was too comfortable with me. It made me anxious. "Your door is locked," He continued. 

     I bit my lip, "I forgot something at the store," I lied, "I'll be back later." 

     I could see that that he bought it, even though I stumbled over my words and wouldn't make eye contact with him. He was just that dumb. I was just about to offer to let him in the front door with my key when suddenly he was climbing into the passenger seat of the car. I felt myself making a face in a direction that he couldn't see. I was confused and annoyed, and I was sure my face showed it. 

     "Let's go then!" He cheerfully exclaimed, instantly adjusting both the passenger seat and the radio station. He annoyed me so much. I backed out of the car, now heading toward the store I had no intention of visiting. I had the three minute drive there to figure out what to say I had forgotten. Crappy background music filled the drive, and Dave had rolled down his window despite my wishes because he couldn't drive anywhere without at least one window open. I mistakenly tried to be polite and ask about the winter. He was still talking about how even when it's below zero and snowing, one window was always open because of some weird superstition when we pulled into the parking spot.