A Second Chance At Life

Other Plans

"With whom?" Pam asked, surprised. "A boy?"

Mom snickered. "No, of course, not a boy. She's much too cool for dating. She thinks it's pointless in high school," she teased.

"It is pointless," I muttered. I did indeed have a rule against dating in high school. High school sweethearts never lasted in my world. Why set yourself up for heartbreak? Still, I went out. Mom always made me seem a bit prudish.

Naturally, both women ignored my comment.

"Do these girls have classes with you?" Mom asked.

"Are they involved with the church?" Pam inserted.

"They don't do drugs, do they?"

"I hope they'll set a good example for you while you're here."

"Will there be boys there?"

I rolled my eyes. "Guys, I'm going twenty minutes away. That's, like, five in the city. We're only going to a restaurant, and it will be just the two of us. I have my phone," I added, raising my eyebrows.

Pam nervously played with her blouse. "Just be home by eleven," she sighed.

• • •

"Your house is beautiful," she said, looking me up and down. Apparently Zaxby's was not a heels type of place.

"Hey, I didn't know what to expect," I said defensively. "This place doesn't even exist where I'm from!"

Ella looked down at her boots, hiding a smile. The truck she leaned against seemed as though it had taken a lot of adventures. Its white paint was faded and chipping, and gravel dust covered its entirety. The only thing that looked new on the entire vehicle was its tires, which were probably important for living on a mountain.

"Nice truck," I said. Inwardly I cringed. Nice truck? Real clever.

To my surprise, she looked genuinely happy to hear good things about her truck. "Oh yeah, she's a real monster," she said, then giggled to herself about something I didn't catch. "Hop in!"