Senior Stories: Gillian Lombart

14. Just Friends

“So … it wasn’t that bad,” Matthew said as he pat Gillian’s head.  They were sitting in his car facing the back of the high school, the parking lot was empty and the floodlights had turned on illuminating the 1950s building giving it the look of an abandoned museum.

“No it wasn’t.” Gillian shifted uncomfortably in her seat, moving her head to signal Matthew not to touch her. “I was thinking,” she said softly turning toward him. “I was just wondering if,” Gillian’s words caught in her throat. She coughed and took a deep breath. “Matt, what is this?”

“It’s a high school.” Matthew was smirking.

“I know that!” Gillian punched him on his arm. “But what is this thing with us?”

“I don’t know what you mean Gills. We are sitting in the dark in the parking lot and according to my spidey-sense and the clock it’s about 11:48.”

“Matt,” Gillian sighed. She was not in the mood to joke around with him. She was feeling like these late night hangouts were not right. They weren’t a couple, and last she remembered Matthew had a girlfriend.

“What about Sarah?”

“Sarah who?”

“Matt! I am trying to be serious over here,” Gillian was feeling a cross between frustration and happiness, her heart began beating faster and butterflies started forming in her belly. What if he wants to get back together? What if he forgives me? she thought.

“Gills. We are just friends. I like hanging out with you. I miss you. And for some reason I think you might need a shoulder to cry on right now.” Matthew reached across the car and patted her hands that were resting on her lap.

“Oh,” Gillian’s heart dropped into her stomach and the world seemed to tighten around her. The school in front of her no longer had the romantic glow created by the floodlights and the engulfing fog. It looked like a mental institution.

“So, why are you being so nice to me then? Shouldn’t you be spending time with your girlfriend?”

“I spend time with her.” Matthew was looking out of the driver-side window watching the wind push the fog from the coast up toward the Berkeley hills. “I don’t know. I don’t want you to be alone during all this. You are a tough person, but sometimes you need help. I want to be the person who helps you through this.”

“Its okay. I get it.” Gillian was heartbroken, but then she reminded herself that she is getting what she deserved. She was the one who broke up with him. She was the one who shut him off. This was just what was in the stars for her, a life where family comes first and all other dreams or wants just trail behind.

“Gilly. I haven’t told Sarah we have been hanging out. It’s kind of a touchy subject. Ok?”

“You secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone … except Jorge, but you knew that already.”

“I kinda figured. Is there anything you two keep from each other?”

“Of course there is!” Gillian was beginning to feel a bit better about bringing up the subject of their late night meetups. “I have never told him where I am hiding the antidote. A girl must keep some things to her self,” she winked.

“You’re weird.”

“Oh, you mean mad scientist. Why yes sir. You are correct.”

Matthew turned the car on and backed out of the driveway chuckling. The past few weeks he would have given anything to see Gillian smile. Everything comes in good time he thought to himself.

“Well our little talk art up our ice cream time, so I guess I will take you home.” Matthew was smiling. “Get it? Ate… ice cream!”

Gillian rolled her eyes. “For an artist you should work on your sad and tormented side, not your total cornball side.”

“Hey I have only two months, gotta milk this for every second or shall I say every moo-ment,” Matthew was rolling with laughter at this point.

“You know they can kick people out of art school for being too happy.”

“Party pooper.”

They rode back to Gillian’s house listening to Loveline with Dr. Drew, taking refuge in other people’s problems for the night. It was only a few minutes back to her house, but the whole time Gillian was thinking that if she only had a few months left of this she would take it, even if it had to stay a secret.