Bitter Affectionate

Chapter 6

I leaned against my truck, my jeans probably getting filthy from the unwashed exterior. I checked my watch and straightened my shirt as I watched the door of the McDonald's from the parking lot. I shifted my footing, trying to relieve any anxiousness I had in me.

It was sixteen minutes passed five o'clock before Calvin walked out, holding his uniform in one hand. Instead of his uniform, he had a Jean button up on and a pair of kacky pants. I suddenly felt very underdressed for our spontaneous meetup.

"Hey," He said, his voice cheerful. I smiled at him tentatively.

"Hi. Uh, should I have dressed nicer?" I muttered with a chuckle. He shook his head.

"No, it's fine. I'm hard to keep up with."

I accepted that, nodding. We just stood there for a second, and I felt incredibly awkward, but then I said,

"Where do you want to go?"

He didn't even have to think about it, nor did he say anything before he crawled into my car as he spoke.

"I know a place. Come on, I'll give you directions."

I got in the car with him, and once we were buckled up, he began to give me directions. I kept up easily, and once I was on the right track, he plugged his phone into my aux cord.

"Man, I hope your music taste doesn't suck," I mumbled, smirking. I heard him chuckle.

"It doesn't, trust me."

"Trust you? I just met you."

"And, you've invited me into your car and let me lead you wherever I want without telling you where we're going. You're an anomaly, sir."

He put on a song I knew well; Rollercoaster by Bleachers. I remembered it from Love, Simon. The song itself was very good, and its use in the movie melted my heart. I felt happy listening to it.

Noting my bopping head and ever-growing smile, Calvin said, "I'm guessing you don't hate my music taste."

"Not at all."

"I'm glad to hear it."

I hoped he was as smiley and dopey as I was listening to that song. I didn't know what it was, but the song just made me giddy.

"Oh, pull over here!"

I did as I was instructed and laughed as I saw where we were; a very colourful, but old, playground. It had four swings, two normal ones and two baby ones. Attached to a pair of rickety monkey bars was a play set with two slides sitting side by side and one twisty one. It even had a merry-go-round.

"This is where you wanted to go?"

"Yeah, why not?"

I didn't answer, instead just grinning and shaking my head as we both climbed out of my car, the key turned only enough so the music would keep playing.

Calvin insisted I was going too slow and grabbed me by the forearm to pull me over to the merry-go-round. He hopped on, releasing me in the process, letting it spin him around slowly.

"Push me!" He exclaimed, sounding like a child. I chuckled, but obliged, grabbing onto the handles and turning it as fast as I could. I stood back and watched as he squealed, letting his head fall back carelessly. Not a worry in the world. I wonder what that feels like.

"Are you getting on?"

"While it's moving? Do you want me to go to the hospital?"

He put his foot down and let it drag on the gravel until the merry-go-round until it stopped, then got off and gestured for me to get on. I was thoroughly amused.