Experiencing the Unknown

3. Joseph Hughes

6 months ago:

It was early April, the time of year when the weather started to get warm, and the flowers started to bloom. I was sitting on a bench outside of the school, waiting for Ellie to give me a ride. I sent a quick text asking where she was.

I'm home sick she replied instantly. I groaned. I had no way home because my mom was working. Plus it was a 5 mile walk. I looked around to see if I could get a ride from an acquaintance, but there was no one around.

Just then, a white pick-up truck pulls up to the curb. The window rolls down and sitting in the driver seat is Joseph Hughes. I have seen him around school, but have never really spoken with him. He was cute with his red, cropped hair and sharp cheek bones. 

"Need a ride?" He asked. I was a little taken aback, since I was pretty much a stranger.

I hesitated for a moment. I mean I had no other way home, and this guy was nice enough to offer. On the other hand, I didn't know him, and would the car ride be super awkward? After a few more moments, debating on whether or not I should accept, I finally do.

I walked around to the passenger side and jumped in, since the truck was high off the ground and I was only 5'3.

"Malia right?" Joseph asked me. 

Buckling my seat belt, I answered with a simple "yes". 

"I'm Joseph but my friends call me Joe," Joe said as he pulled out of the parking lot. 

I nodded as I looked out the window. I told him to turn right when we got to the only light in town. 

It was quiet for a few minutes, with just the radio playing some pop music. Then Joe asked, "there's a track meet tomorrow night. I'm running the 800 meter. You should come watch."

I looked at him for a second. "I mean I barely know you and sports aren't really my thing," I answered honestly. 

"Afterwards we can go grab something to eat, and then you could get to know me," he said. I was kind of surprised and confused at the same time. Here I thought I was going to just get a ride home from this guy, and here he is, sort of asking me out.

"Okay," is all I said. I mean I didn't know what else to say. No guy had ever asked me out, especially random ones.

"Great. I'll meet you there at 5, right before the game," Joe said as I told him which driveway to pull into. 

"Thanks for the ride," I said before I got out, shutting the door behind me.

When I got inside the house, I called Ellie. 

"Guess what just happened? Joseph Hughes just asked me to go to his track meet tomorrow night and then he said he'd take me to get something to eat," I said excitedly said.

All I heard on the other end was squealing. Then a fit of coughing. "Omg! Omg! Omg! You should totally go for it! Your first boyfriend! So exciting!" Ellie said, she was more excited than I was.

"I mean I don't really know how I feel about the whole thing. Don't really do the whole dating thing," I said as I climbed the stairs to my bedroom.

"Oh c'mon. It'll give you some experience. It's not like you have to be with him forever anyways." She did have a point. Maybe I will give Joe a chance.

"You're right. Will you go with me though? I don't want to go by myself," I said, flopping down on my bed.

"Of course. Is it okay if I bring Isaac," Ellie asked. She knew that I didn't like Isaac, but she was nice enough to ask if he could come.