Blind Date

Chapter 3

"It's beautiful out here. I'm glad we could spend the evening together!" I said to dad as we were walking on the track at the park.

"So am I, Jennette. How was school today?" dad asked.

"Strange. Decent, but strange." I replied.

"How so?" dad said. I really didn't want to talk about it to dad, of all people, because he always made a big deal about things, unless it was a special occasion like my birthday or Christmas.

"I'll explain later, for now let's enjoy our—," I stopped when I saw someone getting out of a van. It was Cameron! He was following me!

"Uh, dad? Can you excuse me, just for one second?" I said. I was going to confront Cameron.

"I don't know where you'd be going, but okay." he replied. I walked across the grass to get to Cameron's van.

"Are you stalking me?" I asked, without saying "Hi," or "Hello."

"Jennette? Is that you? I didn't know you would be here." he said with a smile on his face, as usual.

"Don't play the innocent game. I know you're following me. I don't know if you have this major crush on me or what, but you need to knock it off," I took a deep breath, glad to get that off my chest, "now, if you'll excuse me, I came here on a walk with my dad. See you at school." I waved at him as I walked away.

"If you were asking me, yes, I do like you. But not because of how you look. I can't seem to figure out why, but you always put a smile on my face. Would you like to go on a date next Saturday? I can pick you up at eight." he said. Wow. That took me by surprise.

"I would like that. See you at school." I replied. He laughed.

"Alright then, see you." he said.

I turned around to walk away, when I realized what I had just done. I had agreed to go on a date, with my stalker. I stopped in my tracks. What was I going to tell dad? No. I couldn't tell him. He wouldn't care anyways. But I had to tell him! Before mom died, he said I wasn't allowed to date until I was seventeen. Dad wouldn't approve of Cameron. No! I scolded myself. I can't tell him. Rules have changed. Dad doesn't care about me anymore, so he probably wouldn't care who I dated. I walked back over to dad, and we continued our walk.

Dad surprised me by bringing us to McDonald's instead of a fancy restaurant. McDonald's was my favorite fast food restaurant. I had a plain double cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake and dad had a big mac with fries and a Pepsi. I wanted to tell dad about my date with Cameron, but I didn't know how to. My depression urged me to keep it to myself, because dad didn't care about me. But my soft side just had to tell dad.

"So, how would you feel if I went on a date?" I finally decided to ask dad
.
"It depends." he responded.

"On what?" I said eagerly.

"Who's the guy? Was it the one you went over to talk to?" dad replied.

"Yes, he's the reason why school was strange. I thought I hated him, but I think I maybe, kind of- well, I don't think, I do-" I didn't think it would be so hard to say I liked a guy. Maybe it was because I was telling dad.

"You like him." dad finished for me, putting his french fry down and sitting back, arms crossed. I sighed.

"I wish I didn't, but I can't help it. Excuse me for wanting to grow up!" I exclaimed.

"I approve. He's well kept, and he seems nice. I could tell by the way he acted towards you that he'd be good to you, and not disrespect you or treat you wrong." dad's reply relieved me.

"Thanks, dad. I love you." dad looked like he was caught off guard. He didn't say he loved me back. Well that stings.