First Kiss

Chapter 2

After school, I take the bus home. Before I walk in, I pray silently that Mick isn't home yet. I don't have the energy to pretend to be nice right now. I enter the house and release a sigh of relief when I see that the coast is clear. I go to my room and place my backpack on the bed. I'm in the middle of pulling my binder out when I hear the front door open.
"Hello?" Mick calls.
"I'm here," I reply.
"Okay."
I set the binder to the side and get off the bed. I leave the room and see Mick taking his shoes off while sitting on the couch.
"Hey," I say.
"Hey."
I smile awkwardly and stare at him, not knowing what else to say.
"Your mom texted me. She's working late tonight and it's Benjamin's turn to watch Jaiden so it's just us tonight."
"Oh okay."
"Yeah. You can do your homework then we'll have dinner. We can order in if you want."
"Yeah that's fine."
"Good deal."
I go back to my room and do my homework. After I'm done, I join Mick in the living room. He's watching a baseball game but pauses it after I sit down.
"Done?" He asks.
"Yeah."
"Cool. What do you feel like eating?"
I shrug.
"I'm okay with whatever."
"Okay. We'll order a pizza."
"Okay."
"Pepperoni, right?"
"Yes please."
He nods and calls the pizza place to place the order. We watch the game silently while we're waiting for the delivery. I feel a bit better after I've eaten a slice of pizza. It's especially delicious this time.
"Amelia?" He says softly.
"Yes?" I reply, wiping my mouth with a napkin.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," I say even though it's obvious.
"Do you and Jaiden like me?"
I pause. I don't want to lie but the truth will probably make him mad. I practically have to lie.
"Yeah. I mean, we took this time to get used to seeing you. You're not that bad."
"What did you mean when you said that you got used to seeing me?"
"Well, you know how my mom dated other people before you."
"She did?"
"Yes. I can see that she didn't tell you."
"No, she didn't. How many were there?"
"Four."
"Four," he repeats.
I nod and drink from my glass. I set it back down on the small coaster in front of me.
"How long did those relationships last?"
"About three months each."
"Oh."
"Yeah..." I say feeling awkward.
"Thank you for telling me."
"No problem. I'm sure that it doesn't mean anything though."
He looks at me.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because she seems to really like you. I assume that she would want for the relationship to last."
He pauses for a moment.
"The thing is, I don't date people who aren't honest. And since she's one of those people, I'm not going to stay with her."
"I get it. I wouldn't want to date someone who lies either."
"That's good to know."
"Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Please be nice when you break up with her. She's very sensitive and I'd hate for her to make a big deal out of it."
"Of course."
I nod slightly.
"Okay good."
I finish my drink and clear off the coffee table. I return to the living room after putting away the leftovers. I look at the TV screen and smile when I recognize the movie.
"Oh cool. Back to the Future is on," I say.
He smiles.
"Yeah. I was just flipping through the channels and recognized it. I'm kind of amazed that you know it."
"Why?"
"Anne hates classic movies. I didn't think that she would introduce you to any of them."
"You're right about that. My dad is the one who loves them. I learned about them from him."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"What was the first one that you watched?"
"We watched E.T. when I was five. I know. So original," I say with a laugh.
"I'm impressed. Other kids are scared of him."
"I wasn't. I just thought it was a cool story. And anyway, I've always liked aliens."
"Do you believe in them?"
"Yeah."
"Huh," he says thoughtfully.
"Do you?"
"I'm kind of conflicted."
Intrigued by this, I ask for more details. It leads to a whole discussion that goes on for about an hour. It gets to the point where we stop caring about the movie altogether. I adjust in my seat. He looks at the clock on the wall.
"Wow. It's late. I should have already left," he says.
I must look visibly upset because he adds, "I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just that I have to get up early in the morning."
I smile a little.
"I get it. I do too so I should get to bed."
"Yeah."
We stand up at the same time. I turn to look at him.
"Thank you for the pizza."
"No problem. Thank you for hanging out with me."
"You're welcome."
He reaches his hand out to grab the doorknob and turns it.
"Good night, Amelia."
"Good night."
After he leave, I lock the door and go straight to my room. I smile to myself as I change into my pajamas and get into bed. Unlike most nights, it only takes me a few minutes to fall asleep.