These Dreams

A Plan

Irene Cara-What A Feeling '83

STEF POV

"Stef, why don't you just talk to your parents. I mean you said your dad knows. Right?" Mike asked as we sat outside on the lunch benches eating sandwiches while trying to avoid the rest of the damm school. Right now I was pretty fucking stressed. Time was really running low for me and Lena since her mother was coming and probably taking her back to Ohio and forcing her to go to some nun school. All I was trying to do was think of a plan and yeah I partly had one but I wasn't sure how far we would get. Life was real complicated right now and not easy since her aunt and uncle were coming down even harder on her and really forbidding us to see each other.  What made shit worse was they were picking her up after school and dropping her off lately at her mother's request since  we had done what we wanted the past few weeks and cut class.

"I don't even know if he really knows Mike. He was fuckin' vague as shit." I said sipping on my soda.

"You're dad always is.  But he flat out told you he loves you no matter what. Why else would he tell you what he did about about your aunt? Must know something." Biting into his own sandwich I letting out a sigh.

"I guess I don't know. If he does he hasn't said anything to my mother. She's still bugging me about the fuckin prom."

"You're mom is a trip. Still begging for the puffy dress?"

"Yes. Not happening ever."

"I can't picture you in a dress. No wait she make you wear one like a few years ago to that dance. Remember our 6th grade dance?"

"Ugh! That was the worst night of my life!"  I said remembering the curls my mother put in my hair, along with the stupid tights and pink dress. It was the ugliest thing ever and I hated her for it. The worst part was I wanted more then anything to slow dance with Tess that night but that wasn't happening.

"Oh man was I that bad? I know we were only 12 but hey I tried." He laughed as I did as well for Mike and I had one dance together and he was actually pretty nice even buying me a flower. It was so awkward for us since he had never seen me in dress and usually in just jeans, my baseball uniform or basketball shorts. It was only in the last few years that I started to wear my hair out and tighter clothes.

FLASHBACK

"I hate this dam dress it's stupid and the ugliest thing I've ever seen! Are you trying to torture me mom?" I yelled at my mother as she was finishing my hair that I hated as well. I hated everything about it and just wanted to throw it back in a ponytail like I always did.

"Stefanie stop it and watch your mouth. You look beautiful baby. Doesn't she Frank?" She asked my father as he smiled somewhat.

"Yes but she doesn't look to happen Sharon."

"Why can't I wear jeans? Why ma?"

"Because it's a dance babygirl and you can't wear that. It's formal."

"Then I don't want to go. It's the stupidest crap ever. These damm tights itch and the shoes suck and I hate these blasted curls."

"Goodness I should wipe your mouth out with soap. I really should now there's the doorbell Mike is here baby come lets go."

Annoyed at my mother I slowly made my way downstairs seeing Mike at the front door.  He looked weird too in a suit carrying some type of flower as I looked him up and down.

"You look weird." I blurted out as he blushed.

"Honey that is not nice to say. What am I going to do with you baby?" My mother said shaking her head. "Mike you look very nice honey is what she meant. Right Stefanie?"

"Yeah." I mumbled.

"Thanks. But I know it's kinda uncomfortable. But I got you a flower. I don't know my mom said I had too. But I got yellow. Least it's not too girly."

"Cool. Thanks." Putting it on my wrist and looking at me funny I failed to smile as my dad drove us to the school.

That night Mike seemed different to me and was stuttering for whatever reason and it was making me nuts. I didn't know what his problem was but he seemed even more weird when we slow danced to the Bee Gees, How Deep Is Your Love.  Feeling his hands on my waist barely touching me I didn't know where to put my hands at all as my eyes were looking more at Tess. Tess was so beautiful that night and even at 12 my hormones were nutty.  

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Look I'm not gonna make you feel all weird and shit but I mean  you're a good friend Stef. Always was. But I did feel weird in that suit partly because it was the first time I saw how pretty you were. But I mean I knew you liked Tess. That's why I never tried to kiss you. Even if I wanted to."

Glancing to him and blushing I looked away taking another sip of my drink.

"I'm sorry Mike."

"Please for what? Look at least you know who you are and stuff. And that's awesome Stef. Imagine we get married and then you find out?" He laughed as I quickly glanced to him.

"Married?"

"Well you know in an alternate universe."

"Bullshit." I laughed.

"Alright I thought about it. I mean if you didn't like girls and all. I probably would have asked you. I mean date and stuff first. Fuck now I made it weird." He shook his head as I busted out laughing now.

"Nah you didn't.  I mean I knew. I just didn't wanna hurt you and make it fuckin' weird between us."

"You didn't but it's cool and I'm glad you have Lena. But what do you plan on doing?"

"I don't know. The whole thing is fucked. I mean I have money but it's in my college fund my aunt started for me. But I can't access the fucking thing till I'm 18 which blows. I wish she was still around and not because of that but just in general."

"Yeah, she was good people and seems like she would have understood."

"Fucking blows. I mean why put someone like that in my life and take them away. You get that shit?"

"No. Look I have some money myself and my car I fixed up. Take it."

"Mike, I can't do that. Are you freaking kidding me?"

"Stef I'm not using that money. And college you know my parents can't afford it and it's not like that money will make a difference."

"I can't Mike."

"Well then pay me back when we turn 18 if you feel that bad about it. It's only 2 grand but it's yours. Look you and Lena love each other and if you gotta hide for bit then do it. But I think you should talk to your dad."

"There's no point. He won't be able to stop Lena's mother from taking her. I, I don't want to loose her. I can't loose her and I promise I would protect her."

"Then go. And if you need I'll come along and help. I won't get in your way. Not like there is much for me here anyway. But if you wanna go just the two of you take the money and car. Please. I'll let your parents know you are safe. But you gotta call or something Stef."

Glancing to him and taking another sip of my drink he squeezed my hand tightly as I smiled softly at him as he returned it. Yes if I had not liked girls Mike would have been my first choice for a boyfriend always. Never had he crossed a line, never had he even made a move on me and he had always been there. Always and this time was proving to be no different as I had to think long and hard about what to do.