Evanescent

Seven

Of course I said yes. Not that the whole nose tapping thing worked, but he seemed genuine.

I've always told myself high school relationships are stupid. It's not like they're going to last long enough for marriage. They always end the same way. Regret.

But something took that reasonable part of my mind and stuffed it away.

Since we're seniors, we're allowed to leave campus during lunch and go come back.

So here I am, in a guy I just met's car, about to go to who knows where. He could be a murderer or something about to take me to a dark alley. But I do it anyway.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You'll see!" He smiles. Darn it. I hate surprises. But then again this whole thing is like an unplanned surprise adventure with a random attractive guy.

After about two minutes of driving we pass the street with all the food places. Places like Wendy's and McDonald's and...no he's not. Tanner pulls into McDonald's.

"McDonald's?" I say, in an "are you serious?" tone.

"Yeah, McDonald's," he says back, imitating my tone. "No one at school comes here so we'll have time to order, talk, and leave. Plus, I don't want people seeing us together and thinking we're a thing...yet," he smirks. So his plan makes sense, but still, there's a lot of good choices out there.

We walk in and he was right. Nobody we know is there. We order and sit down. Of course, he paid for my meal. "So tell me about yourself," he says.

"My name is Vanessa Brown, I live in a family of four, I like photography," I list,"that's about it."

"Oh come on!" There's so much more to you I can tell!"

"Like what?"

"Well for starters, what's your favorite animal?"

"Elephant," I reply,"your turn."

"No,no,no! You have to tell me why!"

"Well they are pretty and smart and kind. They also have amazing memories," kind of makes me jealous I want to say, but I know I can't. "Now it's your turn," I say.

"My favorite animal is a blue whale because they're big and beautiful. They're terrifying but also let small fish ride on their back."

We sit in silence for about ten seconds. Which is plenty enough time for me to connect the dots. Beautiful guy, shy girl, hot friends. No. He wouldn't.

"So why did you ask me to come here with you?" I ask

"I want to get to know you," he smiles.

I raise an eyebrow. "What do you want to know about them?"

"Who?"

"My friends."

He sighs."Vanessa! I want you! How can I prove it to you?"

I shake my head and kind of laugh to lighten the mood. "There's just no way."

We talk a lot after that. About the most random topics and stories. And it's nice.

Apparently too nice because before we know it it's 12:15, we're late. We rush to the car in panic, but once he turns up the music and we start laughing again, we could care less about time. We could sit here in this truck for hours on end and be perfectly content.

We pull up to Bakersville High and enter together. Once we reach the hall where we part ways, he says, "It was really nice getting to know you." It's the first time I've heard him talk with a shaky voice. "Do you want to do it again?"

"Tomorrow?" I ask.

"Same time, same place," he smiles and walks down his hall. And I'm left there standing like a freak with noodles for legs.

                                     •••••

You know the part in The Little Mermaid when Ariel meets Prince Eric and she goes home singing and twirling around? Imagine that times ten, and you'll have an accurate picture of me today. And just like Ariel's sisters, my friends noticed immediately.

I give my tardy slip to my teacher like I'm giving an Oscar to her. Then I walk down the aisle of desks like it's a runway. Wow it's so fun to be confident.

"Uuuhhh, someone's in a good mood," whispers Jaclyn to me.

"Yeah," I reply ,"today is a good day." I smile to myself. It's the best kind of joy. When your whole body feels alive for a purpose that no can take away.

I don't focus very well for the next two classes of the day, but just leave it to Kylee James to snap me back to reality.

It's the last period of the day, Computer Applications. I walk in and sit down in my assigned seat next to Londy Parker, the dandruff collector. Of course I sit down and she's shaking her head like a wild animal and the brushing the dandruff off of her jeans and into a plastic cup.

Anyway, across the table Kylee and her friend ,Hanna Leedon, are gossiping. But they don't bother to whisper, ever. So of course I overhear them.

"Oh my gawd! Did you hear Tanner and Vanessa coming in late after lunch?" Hanna asks.

"No! How did you see them?" Kylee replies.

"I was working in office aid when they checked in."

"It's a shame."

"What do you mean?"

"Well one, that a great guy like Tanner would settle for...her. And two, that she would actually believe he likes her," Kylee rolls her eyes.

"Yeah I mean he's obviously just using her to get Grace."

I'm about to explode. I was right before. I'm so stupid to think this time is different, it's not. I just want it to be so I lie to myself. Love always ends the same way. Regret.