Tethered

Chapter Two:

I woke early the next morning. Earlier than I intended. I showered and got ready. I prepared to have coffee with Aaron. I ran through the speech I had ready in my mind. You're not ready for a relationship. You need to finish school and then you can meet The One. I rushed out the door stealthily avoiding my parents. I thought the creaks of the stairs would give me away, but my parents were nowhere to be seen.

By the time I made it to the Starbucks Aaron was already sitting at a table with two cups of coffee. He was in full uniform and all the women in the coffee shop were basically drooling. I tried to hide a smile at that fact. You can't get in a relationship right now. No matter how...nice looking... he might be in his uniform...

"Hey, sorry I'm late! The bus was running behind schedule." I said as I sat down. He smiled and pushed a cup of coffee towards me and I gratefully grabbed it. "I thought I was going to pay today."

"Well I assumed from yesterday that you are still a coffee addict and I figured I'd have it ready and waiting for you when you got here so as to avoid a grumpy slump of a person this morning." We laughed and I pushed his arm which was solid as a rock. I drank the coffee and closed my eyes, relishing in the fact that there were no classes today.

"So, I'm guessing you are on duty today." I said and he nodded. "Are you liking it so far?" I asked. He took a sip of his own coffee and nodded again.

"Yes. You know how you feel about wanting to be a journalist? That's how I feel about being an officer. It's truly fulfilling" he said. His whole face beamed as he talked, and I had to smile.

"I can't believe you remembered I want to be a journalist." I said.

"Of course, I remembered." He shrugged. "I used to read your stories."

We talked for over an hour until nearly all the morning coffee goers cleared out. A sound buzzed on his walkie talkie and he smiled sadly at me.

"I need to go." He stood up straightening his uniform. I followed him and threw out our long since emptied cups and headed outside. "Do you want a ride?" he asked.

"That's okay. I can take the bus." I said and pointed to the bench over in front of the college. He laughed and nudged me toward his cop car, gently guiding me with a hand to my waist.

"Don't be silly. This is so much faster, and I don't mind. It's on my way." I smiled and shrugged as he opened the passenger door for me. I slid into the seat and buckled up. Aaron got into the driver's seat and headed toward my house.

I prepared to give him directions since he hadn't been over to my house in several years but before I knew it, we were already in front of my house. He came around and opened my door before I could get to it. The front door opened, and I groaned as my parents came outside with big smiles on their faces. They walked right up to us and my mom embraced Aaron and my dad went for a handshake. Aaron smiled all the while and gratefully accepted them.

"Aaron Jackson, or should I say Officer Jackson." My mom giggled and I couldn't help but role my eyes. I shifted feet awkwardly and tried to inch toward the house.

"Aaron is fine Mr. and Mrs. Stern. It's been awhile since I have seen any of you. I only ran into Meredith yesterday and convinced her to spend her morning off getting coffee with me to catch up. I really miss seeing you guys." He smiled sweetly at my parents and they seemed to shine with delight.

"Well why don't you come over for dinner sometime? How about tonight?" my father said putting his arm around my mother. Aaron went to speak and I quickly cut him off before he could say yes.