Sandcastles

Chapter Six

Troy shows up at my door at exactly 6:00 wearing a black button up and his hair neatly combed across his forehead instead of in a beanie. I just finished curling the final piece of my hair when the knocks sounded. Madeline called my name after answering the door and I rushed down to greet him. I think it's needless to say that this is the first date I've ever been on.

He walks me outside to the nice silver car that I recognize as Helen's. Troy explains that he has his license yet his parents have still not bought him a car. He acts like it's some kind of big deal sharing a car with his siblings. Maybe it is, but I know I probably won't have my own car until I graduate college. That is unless my father decides to be generous and buy one for me.

He opened the door for me and everything before getting in the car and revving up the engine. The car is extremely nice with the leather seats and paneled dashboards. He pulls out of our driveway and onto the main road, blasting Aerosmith through the radio.

"Where are we going?" I ask him. I never really saw him at school today. Even during drama he was with Mrs. Samuels working on all of the stuff for his play. And during lunch he was also in the drama room.

"A steakhouse that I have yet to learn the name of." He says with a grin. I roll my eyes and lean my head against the window. "You look great, by the way."

I find myself blushing and try to hide it by looking down at my lap. I thank him for the compliment and return one as well. It seems like forever until we arrive at the restaurant.

He parks and walks around the side of the car to open the door for me. I step out and a chill runs over me. The climate in Collins Creek is beginning to change with the upcoming winter months. He gently takes my hand and leads me up to the door of the restaurant. Once we step inside, the delicious smells of all kinds of food fill my nose and my mouth starts to water. All of the waiters walk around in white button ups and bow ties. This place has got to cost a fortune.

"Ludwig, table for two." Troy tells the hostess with a smile. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun and she wears a sleek black dress. She takes two menus and leads us to our table.

We sit down and our glasses are filled with water. Troy seems to only look at the menu for two seconds before deciding what he wants. Damn, everything on here is expensive. Troy has said that he is paying numerous times but I can't ask him to pay this much.

I can't resist ordering the steak and scallops, though. I love steak but I rarely eat it anymore, and scallops were always a staple back in San Francisco. Dad would usually have them made as an after school snack. Yeah, I know, quite an after school snack. He would usually go down to Fisherman's Wharf every day on his lunch break and buy a half pound of scallops before bringing them home and frying them up. I haven't had them since Mom and Dad split. And my meal was only half the price of Troy's. He ordered like a platter of seafood and steak. It had twice as much food as I could consume.

When the waiter takes out menus away and fills our water glasses, he sets down two salad bowls in front of us. Troy and I both stay silent as we eat the salads that came with the meal. The dressing on it is amazing. Who would think that a bowl of chopped vegetables would taste so good?

"So how are you liking the school since you've been here a few weeks?" Troy asks when he finishes his salad. I take the last bite before finishing mine as well.

"A lot better. Especially since I got the part in your play. Talk about a confidence booster." I joke. This causes a smile to form on his face.

"Like I said, you earned it. And you're perfect for the part. Are you okay with the whole scenes between you and Alexander?" he asks with a half smile. I nod my head, though I'm not really sure. I don't really have a choice though.