The Rendezvous // Thomas Sangster

Clearly Not American

I march to the back of the crowd where Thomas stands, swinging the picnic basket back and forth tauntingly. A scowl is set on my features and when I come to a halt in front of him and place my hands on my hips.

"First of all, what the heck--"

"Well," Thomas interrupts, "The heck is that I just bought your basket and we're going on a picnic! Ready to go, Steph? Got all your things?"

"There is no way I'm going on this picnic with you." I glare.

"Oh, come on, Stephie, it'll be fun." He says with a wicked grin. 

I roll my eyes, turning away and starting in the other direction.

Thomas follows me, "Where are you going?"

I glance back a him angrily, "You can't seriously expect me to spend the afternoon with you?"

"Of course, I do. That's why I bought the basket, isn't it? I mean, besides the whole charity of it and all."

"I'm not going with you." I say.

"Come on, Steph!" He says, making an effort to sound reasonable.

"Would you stop calling me that!" I nearly shout it.

"Where are you even going?" He says, "You parked the other direction."

"How do you know?"

"Your truck is louder than an elephant and just about as big, it was rather noticeable when you pulled up."

I glare as I continue walking forward. He's right. Where am I going? I turn around quickly, trying to dodge by Thomas so I don't have to look at him or talk to him, or even acknowledge his existence. However, even with my effort, he grabs both my arms before I can slip past him, "Steph, you're being unreasonable."

"Let me go."

"Not until you agree to come have a picnic with me."

"If you don't let me go, I will scream."

He scoffs, "Yeah, right. Like you would actually-"

"RAPE! RAAAAAAPE!" I yell at the top of my lungs.

Thomas's eyes get wide and he quickly let's me go, "Are you mad!?"

"Yes, I am actually." I nod, passing by him and marching down the street.

"Stephanie." He grabs my arm again, his voice changing from playful to sincerely hopeful.

I'm yanked to a stop, looking back at him with a scowl still on my face, "What?" I snap.

"Give me a chance." He says, looking sorry.

I pause, debating my situation. I would rather go down a slide made of razor blades and then jump into a pool of lemon juice than spend any amount of time with Thomas.

I could blow him and this stupid town off, or I could go with Thomas. He seems to actually feel some sort of remorse towards me right now, which is more emotion he's ever shown other than complete arrogance and immaturity.

I cross my arms over my chest, "Why should I go with you?"

He pauses, thinking. Finally, he sighs, "Look, Stephanie - I don't have a reason. If you really don't want to come with me, and you've made it very clear that you don't then fine. I will respect that, but I still think that you're being silly. I wish you would come, and I have no other reason for you coming other than I wish you would. I mean, it's for a good cause after all..."

I stare at him. That is probably the most mature Thomas has ever been in the past week and a half - and probably his life, just based off what I know about him. A small tugging sensation in the back of my mind annoys me until I really do feel like sliding down that razor slide and finding a pool of lemon juice.