Firsts

First Ditch Day

"What the heck are you doing?" I scream once we're out of the building. "I can't just ditch class! I've still got two periods left!" 

"Do you really want to go back?" Ashton asks, looking me in the eye. "Honestly. Do you want to go back in there?"

I shake my head.

"No, but it's wrong! We can't just ditch!" 

"Why not?"

"Ashton, you're better than this. What's going on?" 

"I just- Do you want me to take more risks?"

I stare at him, puzzled. He looks sheepishly up at me.

"I'm very different from James. He was spontaneous and romantic and-"

"James would know better than to drag me out of school," I tease.

He blushes. 

"As long as we're out, I did just have one of the worst conversations of my life. Do you want to go get a snack?"

Ashton nods gratefully and takes my hand. We walk briskly to his black Sedan convertible.

"Top up or down?"

"Up for now," I answer. "Wait until we pull out of the school parking lot to put the top down."

I know skipping class is wrong, but I have to admit, sitting next to Ashton with the wind in my hair on a bright, sunny afternoon made me feel a lot better. I'm now surprisingly chipper, making pleasant conversation. Ashton has decided that he isn't going to take anything seriously for the rest of the day, so we're just goofing off, talking about the reactions of our friends if someone were to move away. 

"The day we graduate, when Amber's telling everyone about the fancy school she's going to with her cheerleading scholarship, I want to march right up to her and say, 'Good riddance!'" 

I grin, pleased with myself. Ashton chuckles in the seat beside me. 

"I will give you five dollars if you do," he teases.

"Ok, but don't be surprised when you're handing me a Lincoln," I retaliate. 

We end up at Jamba Juice, where we were supposed to go for our first date. Ashton seems to realize this, too, as we climb out of the car because he looks at me, blushes, and then looks at his feet. He holds the door open and escorts me to one of the tables with the long table and chair legs. I swing my feet. They're unable to touch the floor from my high perch.

We sit there laughing and talking. The lighthearted air becomes infectious, and soon, we're having a full-on conversation with not only our waiter, but the rest of the staff. There are only two other customers right now, a severe-looking woman with grey hair and a disapproving scowl, and a cheery-eyed man with red cheeks reading a newspaper who soon joins our conversation. 

"So, I guess this is our place?" 

I look up. Ashton's face reddens again, and I smirk a little. He blushes too easily.

"Yeah, I guess it is."

"I didn't know you were the sentimental type," I tease.

"Yeah me neither," he agrees. A serious expression suddenly clouds his face. "I didn't know a lot of things about myself until I met you."

I wonder where the sudden seriousness is coming from.

"Skylar, I want you to look me in the eyes when I say this."

I do as he says, and he takes my hands. 

"Skylar, I love you."

The entire place erupts into applause. I blush, not quite sure how to respond. Do I love him back? What if I don't? But what if I do? What happens then? I'm confused, scared, nervous. Suddenly, I feel nauseas. I don't know what to do, so I bolt. I just take off running out the door and don't stop. I don't know where I'm going, which I only realize as I zoom pass the target shopping center. I don't think I've ever run this fast in my life. Still, I can hear Ashton gaining on me. I duck behind a cement pillar at publix, trying to hide. Then, I break down. 

It doesn't take long for Ashton to find me, and by that time, I'm a complete mess. He doesn't say anything, just sits down behind me and puts his arms around me. There we sit, hidden behind a pillar at Publix. I can't relax, though. My muscles are still tense, my expression still quite pitiful. After a while he says something. 

"I'm sorry I love you."

Suddenly, I'm laughing and crying at the same time. It's one of those weird moments, where you're not quite sure what to do. The whole scenario was amusing, confusing, and depressing all at the same time. I turn away from him.

"I'm just afraid of when you leave."

"What?" he asks, dumbfounded. 

"It's our senior year. We'll all be leaving. We'll never see each other again."

"I would go to whatever school you wanted," he said.

"No!" I said quickly, blushing. "I don't want you to follow me, then have us break up."

"Skylar, don't worry about that now. It'll be ok. Just live life."

I gulp, unsure what to do. Ashton helps me up and puts his hands on my hips. He leans down and whispers in my ear. 

"Will you take a chance on me?"

I pause, considering it. I can tell he feels my muscles tense again because he stops rocking back and forth. He moves around to stand in front of me, takes my hands, and looks me in the eyes. 

"There. We're just like we were in the yogurt shop. You get a do over."

I can't help but smile at him. I bite my lip, but finally answer.

"Yes. Of course I'll take a chance on you." 

"Great!"

Ashton grins and leans forward to kiss me. I back away. 

"Wouldn't you like to know why I'll take a chance on you?" I ask.

He grins at the smirk on my face and plays along.

"Sure. Why, oh why would you take a chance on someone as undeserving as myself?"

I smile so big that I'm sure my face is about to split in half. 

"Because, Ashton, isn't it obvious? I love you."