The Short Story Scrapbook

Slow Dance In A Parking Lot

(Listen to the song while you read)

The setting sun was a signal that their date was finally coming to a close, so they snuck a little closer to one another. They'd spent their afternoon at an ice skating rink before finally settling down in a field, facing a lake. They'd talked while crunching on hard cookies and lukewarm coffee. Neither were rich enough to get anything fancier, not that it mattered. The only important thing was each other.

The last few hours felt like forever as they sat there, wrapped in each others embrace. Smiling, giggling, sneaking glances and falling a bit deeper every second.

But now it was coming to an end and neither felt like parting ways, although he was driving her home now. Their hands were clasped together, resting on her thigh. Quietly thinking about it, but not saying it out-loud.

Every minute that passed by was getting closer and closer to their destination. His hand tightened as he spotted an almost empty parking lot ahead of them. He glanced at her, her lips down turned into a small frown and at the last second, he pulled into the parking lot. He pulled the car into park and let go of her hand, climbing out of the car. She sat, slightly confused as she watched him jog over to her side. He opened the door and offered her his hand.

"Let's dance." He mumbled quietly, pink staining his cheeks. She heard him perfectly on this silent night and her heart stuttered for a moment. She took his hand and he pulled her out.

"But...music?" She whispered questioningly knowing that the radio in his car was broken but he shook his head.

"We don't need it."

And he pulled her close. His arms sliding around the small of her back and her hands clasping behind his neck. It felt odd at first as they swayed almost awkwardly but he pressed his face into hair and began humming a familiar tune. His voice, although a little shaky, was warm, low and soothing.

Their hearts beat rhythmically, in tune to one another. She joined in on his humming and it sounded almost angelic to their own ears. He pulled back and slid his hand down her arm until he clasped her hand, he spun her around gently and then brought her back. Their bodies molding together again, swaying once more. No longer humming, they moving back and forth quietly.

"I love you" He murmured into her hair

"And I love you" She whispered back