that the bright scarlet colour signifies a promise
~~~
~ By the school gates, out front, near flowers
"Where is it you want to take me?" I say, following Andy across the zebra lines. As soon as we have crossed he grabs my hand and pulls me down the sloping path and grass and through the kissing gate to the common. He guides me through it and waits for me on the other side.
"It's a shortcut home," he says. He stands and stares at a spot above my head, but when I turn to see what he could be looking at he coughs for my attention. "Hand."
Obediently I hold my hand out to him and he clasps it and swings me towards him, pushing me onto his arm so we are posed like salsa dancers. "I didn't know you could dance," I stutter.
"Me neither," he winks.
We stare at each other for what feels like an age, and my eyes dart from his eyes to his lips. I mentally kick myself and I begin to squirm in his hold so he pulls me back up.
"Ma'am," says Andy, gesturing for me to walk in front of him.
"I'm not walking in front of you."
"Why not? You need to, the path isn't wide enough for two."
"I don't know where I'm going!"
"Goddamnit," Andy laughs. He picks me up by the waist and places me behind him. "I'll go first then."
"Was that necessary?"
"Yes."
"Right," I mutter, and I see his cheeks change shape from the side as he smiles.
He treks ahead of me, whistling a song I have never heard. I watch the clouds glide over the hill at the end of the common, and a pair of horses grazing near the trees. A group of sixth formers are sat huddled in a circle near the said trees, smoking up.
"What losers," says Andy.
"You don't know them."
"I know, but they smoke. Why would you ever want to start smoking?"
"People have different reasons," I say in annoyance.
He turns around. "Have you ever smoked?"
"No."
"You're lying," he says accusingly.
"Why does it matter?"
He doesn't say anything but continues to stare at me. Finally he speaks in a soft whisper. "How many more secrets are you going to keep from me?"
"As many as I can," I answer.
~~~
And that's a promise
