Linger

T H I R T Y - N I N E

"Were you leaving right now?" Mr. Hayden asked, pulling away so his warm brown eyes found mine.

"Yeah, I was just about to call for my ride home actually." I sighed as I gave him a small smile and held up my phone. I unlocked it, scrolling through to find my parent's number, when his hand covered mine, forcing me to look up at him.

"If I offered you a ride, would you decline it this time too?" A slight smile creeping on his face, as he referred to the several previous times he had offered me rides, which I did indeed decline for my own sanity back then. But this was now, and things have certainly changed.

I put my phone down and tilted my head to the side as I thought about his offer. "And where would you give me a ride too?" My fingers toyed with his black tie as I looked up at him.

My actions seeming to have an effect on him as he swallowed hard, before answering. "Just drop you off at your place, of course. Unless -maybe if - perhaps if maybe you would like to go to my place for a bit?" He stumbled over his words, his statement sounding more like a question than an answer.

I continued to stroke his tie and his hands found their way to my waist again, as if we couldn't go at least a minute without not feeling each other's touch.

The air had been cleared but it still felt like there were still so many words left to say and I couldn't imagine going an entire night without each other when we had already taken such a big step tonight.

"Maybe..." I drifted off, agreeing with him.

"I mean, only if you want to of course." His warm brown eyes found mine. "It'll just be you and I, but if you don't feel comfortable I can just drop you-"

"Daniel" I interrupted, my hands adjusting the knot of his tie.

"Hm?"

I smiled at the fact that I could now call him by his first name again & he'd respond in just the same way. "I'll go with you. It's fine."

"Really? Are you sure?" He continued.

"Yes, Daniel. It's fine." I kept my gaze steady on his, as I spoke his name again. Clearly enjoying this new privilege. "Really. I like spending time with you."

"As do I. I like you." He smiled at me and I could feel my heart flutter.

"I like you too." I reached up on my toes to kiss him on the lips, enjoying the feeling of his soft lips against mine as his strong arm held my waist.

"I'll get my car and meet you at the front in a bit, alright?" He said as we pulled away, taking a step back and forcing me to let go of his tie.

"Yeah." I nodded at him with a smile.

A sigh of contentment left my lips once he left the room. For once it actually felt like things were going my way and I could feel my mind pondering over the thought that there was a catch to all of this suddenly falling into place. But I was reminded that I went through a lot to get to where Daniel and I were at tonight and I should just enjoy this moment and the next few we have together. Take it one moment at a time, its all we have anyway.

With my purse on one shoulder and my dance bag on the other, I stepped into the empty hallway and toward the exit where Daniel and I arranged to meet. And true to his word, there was his dark blue sports car parked at the entrance of the school.

Fortunately, the formal was taking place in the gym on the other side of the campus. So the gym/field parking lot was being used for the event. This left the main parking lot that I was headed towards now empty and dark.

As soon as I descended the stairs, Daniel stepped out of his car to the open the passenger door for me. Blushing at his kind action, I thanked him as I got in his car and we drove out of the school parking lot.