The Decision

7. Love is Strange

7. LOVE IS STRANGE

We arrive in Death Valley, but have another day's drive to get to Council HQ. I decided to make the hotel arrangements this time, soon as how the last hotel clerk was irritating. We make it to the room and I take a shower first like last time. I actually change into my pajamas this time. I decide to where my shorts and a shirt I found in my dad’s closet after they left. When I get out of the bathroom I find a perfectly placed dinner on the table but don’t spot Micah. “Micah? Micah, where are you?” “I'm in here, Scar!” He yells from the kitchen. I walk in there and find him standing in front of two glasses pouring a red liquid in them. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Hey there.” He says as he touches my hands. “What are you doing and what’s with the set up out there?” “I made us dinner and this”, he says as he hands me the red liquid, “is red wine. It’s actually pretty good, taste it.” I let the wine run over my tongue. It is sweet and delicious. “Yeah, it’s really good." "Good, I'm glad you like it. Let's go sit down. " We go to the table and Micah pulls my chair out for me. "Thanks." I say bashfully, feeling so awkward and strange as ever. I am sure my face is red as a boquette (not sure if i spelled that right) of red roses.

People say my white face and shoulder length blonde hair contrast with the red tone in my face, my mother always said that was what made me beautiful, but I've never actually felt beautiful. I was teased when I was young because kids thought i was anorexic or bulimic because I was very skinny and am, well, was, a high achiever. I was teased and kids would throw food at me, yelling at me to eat. The only salvation I had was my sister, and Micha. My father admired my eyes. They have all 3 colors of eyes:blue around the iris, green in the middle, and brown around the pupil. He said "If eyes are the windows to the soul, your soul must be beautiful."

I begin to feel a sob bubbling inside but choke it down. I will not ruin Micah's perfect night because I can't relive my own memories. I look at my plate and see rotisserie chicken with rosemary and mashed potatoes covered in bacon bits and cheese. I go in to take a ginormous bite but find Micah looking at me with a brow raised. When you live in a town with almost no population, you hardly even get 3 meals a day. "Sorry, that was inappropriate, you know, it's been a while since I've had food like this. Why can't they deliever food like this to Denver?!!" "Scar, you know it's a long drive. We literally just drove it." "Well yeah but do you know how many kids are dying back at home and don't even know what any of the food is that Death Valley gets?!?! Why are you protecting them?!?!?! Do you know how many things they've done wrong, Micah!?!?" "Scarlett, yes I do but-" "No! No but's! This is wrong and you know it!!!!" "You know what Scarlett!! This night is just wrong!!! I wanted to have a romantic dinner with you and now you are bitching about the economy!!! Goodnight Scarlett!!!!" "Micah! I'm so sorry. I didn't kn-" "No Scarlett! You knew full well!"

Then, he leaves and slams the door behind him. I let the sob out. Not for my parents, but for Micah. The only person I've cared about other than my sister since my parents left. The person I just fell in love with. "No Scarlett! You will NOT sit here feeling sorry for yourself becouse you just chased of your one true love!!! Go get him!!!" I yell at myself. I fling my body off my chair and through the door. I press the button, hoping it's the right one because my tears are making it hard to see. The elevator doesn't open and I am beginning to worry about Micah and what he is doing so I take the stairs three at a time. I run through the lobby and out the revolving door into the dark night and brisk air. I just remember that I'm in my skimmpy PJ's. I see Micah sitting in the car with his head in his hands. I sprint at the car and open his door. "Scar, I-" "Shut up and kiss me!" I pull his shirt and his lips crash down on mine. Not a violent crash, but a passionate one. He tastes just as he smells: like the woods, mint and air freshener. He grabs my waist to pull me closer. He sits on the driver seat and puts me on his lap facing him while our lips are still touching. I lose track of time and what happened but I find my self in the bed in our room kissing Micah.