The Boy in the Blue Flannel

Journal Entry 4

When I saw Luke at the movie theater, he was waiting outside and talking with Michael and Calum. I said goodbye to my mom. I walked up to them, and they smiled and greeted me. We got our tickets along with a few snacks to eat, and went into the theater. I sat on the end, next to Luke, just because he was really the only one that I knew that well. I expected him to be different around me when he was with his friends, but surprisingly, he wasn't shy at all. And neither were the other boys. They were really nice to me. At one point, I felt something on my shoulder. I realized that Luke had put his arm around me. I blushed. I was startled and confused. 'What the hell is he doing?' I thought. I was about to ask him, but I decided to just ignore it. He kept the position throughout the entire movie, and I tried my best not to sweat out of anxiety. It was making me extremely uncomfortable. But I figured it was just a friendlyAfter the movie, I realized something. I didn't tell my mom when to pick me up. And being the drunk she is, of course she didn't think to ask me. I know what you're probably thinking. 'Why can't you just drive your own car like a normal teenager?' Well, I wish I could. I have my driver's license, but me and my mom really can't afford another car. And for whatever reason, my mother doesn't trust me to drive hers. Ha. As if she's any more responsible than me. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't gotten into a wreck with her yet.

I told Luke. "I could give you a ride home." he said. I felt really awkward with that, but it was my only option. I reluctantly agreed, and thanked him. We went outside and said bye to Calum and Michael. They got in their cars and left, and I got into the car with Luke. "So, how do I get there?" he asked. "Just keep heading down this road, turn left on 22nd avenue, and turn left again on Vine street. My house is number 802." I told him. "Okay." he said. He followed my directions, and pulled into the driveway. "Thank you so much, Luke. It really means a lot. I'm so sorry to be a bother." I said before getting out of the car. "No problem. What are friends for?" he said, smiling. I thanked him again and said goodbye.

I came in and my mother started yelling at me right away. "Alli! Do you have any idea what time it is?" 'It's not my fault you didn't ask what time to pick me up...' I thought. But I didn't dare say it. That would have made her even more angry. "Sorry, mom." I said. "And who was that, who just dropped you off?" she said in a rage. "That was my friend Luke, the one who I'm doing the school project with." I told her. "Alli! Why are you getting in cars with a random guy? You barely know him!" I could tell she had been drinking. "Mom, I had no choice. You should be happy that I had Luke to give me a ride. And me and him have actually gotten pretty close." I said. "Well, stay away from him. He's probably just going to hurt your feelings like everyone else!" "Mom, he's not like that! He's different!" I heard my voice crack. "He's really nice! He stood up for me, and made me happy when I felt like I had no one." I said through the tears. "Fine, Alli. Do whatever you want. But don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart. Just like your father did to me..." I turned and saw her out of the corner of my eye reaching for what was probably her third bottle of beer. I wiped my eyes and ran into my room, slamming the door shut.