Play it Again

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

We parked backwards on the wide-open field so that the truck bed was facing toward the gigantic screen ahead of us. I smiled when he laid a blanket on the bed of the truck and held out his hand for me. I took it smiling up at him as he held my waist and my hand, lifting me up onto the tailgate. I smiled and scooted back so I was leaning against the window in the back of the bed.

"I'll be right back." Chad said walking away.

I was excited for tonight. I hadn't been at a drive through movie in a long time. Chad was a great guy, unfortunately I don't see myself being with someone like him. He's sweet and smart, but he just broke up with his girlfriend so I feel as if he just needs a distraction right now, which I was willing to give him.

I looked to my right to see a couple already starting their night, wrapped in each other's arms and interlocked by their lips. That familiar pang stroke through me as I sat there, clearing my throat and fixing my eyes on the blank screen that will soon be playing a movie. Loneliness. That is what I've been feeling, and now seeing this couple next to me, it hit me hard.

I saw Chad heading back over so I shook my head and changed my attitude. I wasn't going to be affected by this and let it ruin my night. I wanted to have a good time and enjoy myself, and feeling sorry for myself didn't have a time slot in my night. I smiled when Chad jumped up onto the bed and sat next to me against the back of the truck. He handed me a soda and a large bucket of freshly popped popcorn.

"Thanks!" I never noticed how great of a smile he had. It was almost as if his teeth were glittering, they were so perfect. His amazing pine smell was emanating off of him and we talked about the movie we were about to watch.

Before I knew it the screen turned to color and the sound from the large speakers next to it turned on. It was one of my favorite movies, a classic and an old one. She's the Man. Chad and I chuckled as we whispered to each other at the start of the movie.

Throughout the movie couples all around us were cuddled up to each other. I think Chad felt the awkwardness of not doing the same so he wrapped his arm around me. Looking up at him, being so close to his face, I couldn't help but smile. Not because he was adorable, not because we looked like a couple, but because I was content. I was happy right here and now in this moment, and sometimes all you can do is smile. I needed this night out, away from everything that was happening in my life. Spending this night with Chad was so refreshing.

He brought me closer to him and I let my arm snake around his torso so I was leaning on to him. I enjoyed his company and this movie was one of my favorites. We stayed like this till the movie was over, wrapped up in each other and content with the world.

"Or the part where she talks about the Gouda cheese!" I laughed in the passenger seat next to Chad as we brought up our favorite parts of the movie as we were driving home.

"Yeah that was so funny!" Chad had one hand on the wheel; the other was resting on the center counsel as he effortlessly drove his truck.

We passed Main Street on the way back to my house and I saw the hustle and bustle of the countrymen and women on a Friday night. I looked out the window, feeling the cool night breeze blow through my hair as I watched my beloved city roll by. I love where I live, and I hope one day I'll find a man that will love me and want to raise a beautiful family somewhere on this land. That seems like the perfect life to me.

"What're you smiling at?" Chad asked curiously as he looked my way periodically and then back towards the road.

"I just..." I tried to process everything and find the right words. "I'm just having a really great time tonight." I felt shy in that moment, expressing my true feelings, so I looked down at my lap, letting my hair cover the sides of my face. The perks of having long hair.