Stuck In Between

Chapter 2: Retentive Minds

I left the cafeteria and waited for Ian at the parking lot. I was standing by his car, impatiently tapping my foot. I hated cutting classes; I always felt so guilty afterwards. I just agreed to this because I knew he would annoy the hell out of me until I said yes. I had no idea where he would be taking me. It better be worth missing some classes.

Ten minutes had passed and I was about to leave when I saw him walking up to me, taking his sweet time.

“Where the hell have you been?” I asked, annoyed.

“Sorry, Kari. Lost track of time,” Ian apologized.

“Never mind, let’s just get a move on,” I grumbled 

“Someone’s in a cranky mood,” he commented, as we got into his car. 

“You know how much I hate ditching.”

“Always the little nerd.” 

“Better smart than dumb,” I cough pointedly.

“With great looks, you don’t have to be smart,” He looked at me, smiling. 

What an ego.

 “Who said you were good-looking?” I ask him, cocking an eyebrow.

 “I was referring to you, Kari.”

 Oh.

 I felt warmth rising to my cheeks. I didn’t know what to say in reply, so I turned to look out the window. I watched the different sceneries and shifted my eyes to gaze at the clouds. Suddenly, the sound of heavy metal filled the car. I turned to see Ian’s head bobbing up and down. I never knew he liked screamo music. I downright despised it. Who can stand hearing a guy scream like a dying cat and call it music?

“I didn’t know you liked screamo.”

 “I don’t. I just wanted to get your attention.” He smiled. It was a genuine smile and not one of those stupid smirks always plastered on his face.

 I automatically returned it with a grin of my own. I like Ian when he was like this, sweet and not his usual player self. I took this opportunity to find out where we were going.

 “So where are we headed to?” I asked.

“I found this place the other day,” he replied.

 He didn’t elaborate so I prompted him, “Which is…?”

 “Just be patient, Kari,” he said, chuckling.

I didn’t think I would get a straight answer out of him, so I just concentrated on the music. The dying cat music stopped and the first few notes of “This = Love” started playing. I brightened up – it was one of my favorite songs – and immediately started to sing along.

It’s in the eyes of the children

As they leave for the very first time

And it’s in the heart of the soldier

As he takes a bullet on the front line

Ian joined in and we actually sounded good together. We could match all the lyrics word-for-word and when the song ended, Ian said, “Hey, we make a pretty good team.”

 I was about to agree when I saw him smirking. I immediately realized the innuendo behind it.

 “In your dreams,” I laughed.

 Ian looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. “Maybe we are in a dream,” he said seriously. “What if Edward Cullen suddenly jumps out of nowhere and sparkles me to death.” He said, horrified.