Happier With You.

Chapter 12

The VHS tape flickered off, leaving the drive-in theater in darkness. For a moment, we all sat there in comfortable silence, the memories from the tape still playing in my mind. It was like the end of a dream i didn't want to wake up from.

Cody turned to me, his eyes catching the last of the screen's glow. "That was... something, wasn't it?"

I nodded, unable to find the right words. It was more than something, it was everything.

But before i could get too lost in the past, Cody's dad cleared his throat.

"Alright, lovebirds, time to head back."

"He's just jealous." Cody whispered to me.

"Cody Taylor." His dad warned.

Cody flinched at the mention of his name.

The car rumbled to life as we pulled away from the drive-in, the night air cool against my skin. I glanced back at the fading screen, feeling a tug of nostalgia mixed with a hint of something new a sense that things were changing, that this was just the beginning.

As we drove, Cody reached over and intertwined his fingers with mine. 

"So, about that little surprise i mentioned earlier.." He smiled.

My heart skipped a beat. "There's more?"

"Oh, definitely. But it's nothing like what you're thinking."

His dad chuckled. "You kids and your big ideas. Just wait and see."

We drove through town, passing familiar landmarks until we started to head toward the outskirts. Eventually, we pulled up to an old, retro diner with neon lights blinking "24-Hour Service." It was the kind of place you see in old movies, with shiny red booths and a jukebox in the corner.

Cody's dad parked the car and turned to us with a grin. "This, my friends, is where the real fun begins."

I looked at Cody, confused but intrigued. "What's going on?"

"Remember that time you said you wanted to do something spontaneous, something a little wild?" Cody asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I nodded, still trying to piece it together.

"Well," Cody continued, "how about an all-night diner challenge? Breakfast at midnight, milkshakes on the hour, and we don't leave until we've tried every dessert on the menu."

I burst out laughing. "Are you serious?"

"As serious as a sugar rush," Cody replied, grinning from ear to ear.

"What about my parents.." I asked nervously.

"Don't worry about them." Cody's dad said.

"He's got it covered."

Cody's dad shook his head with a smile. "You two have fun with that. I'll be at the counter, keeping an eye on things."

We slid into one of the booths, the leather seats squeaking under us. The waitress came over, handing us menus with a wink, as if she was in on the secret.

"This is crazy," I said, still laughing.

"Crazy fun," Cody corrected, grabbing my hand again. "You in?"

I looked at the menu, filled with every kind of pie, cake, and sundae imaginable. This wasn't what I had expected at all, but it was exactly the kind of night I didn't know I needed.

"I'm so in," I said, feeling the excitement bubble up.

As we placed our first order, I couldn't help but think that this was the kind of spontaneous adventure I'd always wanted. Something we'd look back on and laugh about for years.