Wishful Thinking

Bittersweet Surpise

The water pounds against my body, washing the soap out of my hair and down the drain. I turn the water off, and as I step out of the tub I grab a towel. I wrap myself up and look at the foggy mirror. I run my hand across it, leaving a clean space.

I smile at myself and leave the bathroom. I hear my mom talking to someone and peak around the corner. She's talking to a boy, his back to me. I look across the hall to my room and walk as silently as I can. She spots me sneaking to my room. "Danielle!"

I stop and smile at her, "Yeah Mom?"

"Look who dropped by!" The boy turns and I feel myself begin to radiate happiness. I run to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He swings me around, his face pressed to my wet neck.

"Sean! You've no idea how happy I am to see you!" He sets me down and smiles down at me.

His eyes are bright with excitement. "I was just coming up to visit some family and remembered you said you lived here and thought I should stop by." He shrugs and I itch to hug him again.

I remember I'm in a towel and cross my arms, holding the towel around my chest. "Can you stay or is your family waiting?"

I look up at him, my eyes showing hope for his answer. His smile falters slightly, "I wish I could stay, but I promised Bailey I'd just come in for a few minutes."

"Bailey?"

He straightens unconsciously, "I guess I forgot to tell you when we last talked! I met her at Walmart and we just hit it off! We've been together for six months." He smiles and I feel my heart break into dust and float to the bottom of my stomach.

I try to hide my feelings with a small smile, "That's great! Well I don't want to keep you. You don't mind if I don't walk you out?" I gesture down to the towel.

He smiles and hugs me again. I wrap an arm around his neck, pulling him close to me for the last time. "It was really great of you to stop by." We break apart and I feel his hand give mine a squeeze. He thanks my mom and leaves.

I watch him drive off with Bailey through the open door. I lean against the frame, a tear snaking its way down across my cheek.