Ruthless

Tomato Slapped

     I don't know why I chose to get in, maybe it was the rain, or how the warmth was slowly filling the air around me, or maybe it was because this would be a great time to return the sweater. As each option passed through my mind it just became a better decision. So with great dignity I scrambled into his truck and sat down.

     "So, you wanna tell me why your walking in a thunder storm? Or why you took an offer made by a complete stranger?" The driver asks glancing at me through the corner of his eye.

     Maybe i can hop out. I don't think anybody's ever died from jumping at 25 miles. But wouldn't he stop? maybe I can run off before he gets the chance to get out. But what if i fall though?

     For the longest moment I ponder jumping out and risking my chances, but he cuts off my thoughts.

     "You gonna answer?" So I shrug. "You don't know why?" He asks making a turn while I nod. "Alright.." He says dragging out the word before it falls into an awkward silence again.

     I watch the rain slide down the window panes before disappearing into the wind. When I was younger I would pretend the raindrops were racing each other.At this moment I find myself doing it again. Suddenly the truck jerks to a stop and I fly forward before getting snapped back by the seat belt.

      "Sorry, this thing isn't exactly smooth.." He says before turning towards me. I keep my eyes focused on the store in front of us and try to ignore the hole being currently burned into my skull by him. "Well," He starts awkwardly before motioning to the store. "I have a small case of the munchies. And since you aren't talking, no offense, but I don't really trust you staying in my truck while I run in." He finishes and I look at him surprised. Again I thought I could just get away with being invisible, yet he said straight to my face he didn't trust me. 

     I should say I'll just walk the rest home, or that I wont steal anything. Or maybe I can hide in the bathrooms till the rain lightens up. But he might wait, maybe he's a psycho..

     "You coming?" His voice, still sounding like he just woke up, alerts me and I find him already standing outside holding my door open. I nod still slightly surprised. "Good." Then he offers me a slight smile, just a tug of his lips not quite enough to show any teeth. Yet I find myself blushing as he extends his hand to help me down. I shake it off and grab the handle trying to swing myself (not so gracefully) down, yet providing my luck I stumble a bit. The boy laughs and my cheeks grown hotter.

     "Careful any redder and you might become a tomato." He jokes locking the truck as I pull up the hood of his sweater and pull it low over my face watching my shoes once more.

     "I don't bite you know." He says suddenly appearing in front of me, his nose inches from mine. My body reacts first jerking back violently, while accidentally smacking him across the face with a satisfying sound. His head snaps back and my heart is in my ears. We stand there for what seems like a lifetime in the rain, my hand over my mouth shocked by what I just did. 

     After what seems like hours he turns and looks at my shocked face. This is it, he's going to yell, scream, tell rumors at school, hit me back. All these thoughts rush through my head so fast I don't notice the smirk forming on his face. With a small chuckle i'm finally forced to look up at him, spotting the red hand print on his face already forming. I hope it doesn't hurt too much.

     "Damn.. You got me good." He states finally. My mouth drops open confused beyond belief by how okay he seems, yet he just laughs. "Guess I shouldn't sneak up on you right?" I nod at his last comment dumbfounded. Even if I wanted to say something the lump in my throat is stopping me. "Come on lets go, I think I need some ice too." He says rubbing his cheek for emphasis.