It's Complicated

Chapter 18

Mario was waiting at our locker when I finally showed up Friday morning. "What's your plans tonight?" he asked. "I was thinking of heading up to the amphitheater."

I stuffed a book in my locker. It barely fit. I made a mental note to clean my half. Mario's was cleaner than I'd ever seen a locker, especially the bottom. "Sorry, I made plans with the girls I work with."

He leaned on the locker bank and crossed his arms. "Oh, yeah?" I nodded. He studied me for a moment. "Well, that's probably better, anyway." His voice was light, but his eyes seemed sad. "George would be happier about that setup, at least."

I turned to him. There was so much I wanted to say to him, beginning with the fact I was beginning to care less about what George thought about my friends. All that I allowed to come out was, "You could probably come if you wanted."

He pursed his lips and thought for a moment. "Me and three girls? Really?"

"Kenny will be with us for a while after his show."

Mario raised one eyebrow but didn't say anything. Just looked at me. For so long I began to blush. He finally sighed. "I don't really know them."

"It would give you a chance to." I caught myself reaching for his sleeve. "Broaden your horizons and all that."

He gave me a small smile. "I'll think about it. If I decide to hang out, I'll meet you at the theater."

I figured that was the best I was going to get. "Okay."

---

Britt sighed impatiently. "Come on," she said.

"Just give him another minute," I pleaded. We were behind the theater. I was hoping Mario would show up, even though the show had been over for nearly ten minutes. He was normally there on time, but this time it wasn't going to be just us. I was with some new friends. Friends he didn't know.

Shay looked at her watch. "Kenny's probably on by now. We only have a little time to get the pizzas and get back to our apartment."

I chewed my lip furiously, trying to reconcile myself to the fact that he likely wasn't coming. "Okay, I guess." I started to head to their car when a pair of headlights turned in. When I turned around, I realized it was only someone driving around to pick up someone else coming out of the theater. I sighed.

We piled into Britt's car, and she backed out. I kept watching the vehicles, but I only saw him as we left: a lone black Toyota Camry parked at the end of arow, lights off, Mario watching us. I wondered why he didn't get out to come with us. As we left, I felt as lonely as that car looked. I was with two others, but I couldn't help feeling the notion of being alone creep into my bones as we picked up pizza and soda. The night was sure to be long if this was any indication.

The more time passed, the more I regretted coming. We were going to a strange place, where I was going to be until Larry picked me up – if he even remembered – around eleven. We'd barely have time to get the pizzas down and talk any at all by then, but I was beginning to think I'd rather not be there at all.

When we parked in front of the apartment Britt and Shay shared, I had to physically force myself to move. I returned their smiles, but I found myself wishing to be back in Denver with Mario, listening to some show and laughing at the performer.

My mind was working overtime and I took deep breaths on the climb to the third floor, hoping they'd believe it was from the exertion and not from my nerves. I remembered why I didn't normally hang out with new and older kids. Not that nineteen and up were technically kids. Britt unlocked the door, and we followed her inside. I put the pizzas on the counter and Shay put the sodas next to them. Britt opened a cabinet and took out three glasses. Shay opened the Coke and poured it.