One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞

Tanner

I couldn't get my mom to stop shaking with fear. She thought something bad was going to happen. My father, on the other hand, believed I was going to 'get down and dirty' with Shelly.

I had already done that with Leslie and wasn't looking forward to destroying another relationship. I didn't even think of Shelly like that. There was no way in hell I'd roll around the blankets with a girl like her.

She's too much. She's too bright for me. Shelly was someone who excelled in life way better than I did. And I wouldn't want to be with her knowing that I would just be holding her back with all the negative I could teach her. So a relationship between us wouldn't work out. Which is also why it didn't work with Leslie.

"Mom, please, I'll be fine. Seven feet apart." I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my binder.

"It doesn't make me feel any better. What if someone walks by?"

"I'm sure I'll be sitting on her grass and she's on her porch. That's enough for people to pass and none of us interact." I shrugged.

"Tanner, that doesn't make me feel better. How about you don't go?"

"When you go shopping, no one is a complete seven feet apart. You come back and have the possibility to spread it to us. I'll. Be. Fine."

Her coiled shoulders still didn't relax. I sighed. I set my binder on the counter before I grabbed her in a bear hug. Her grip was tight like she was saying goodbye to me.

She didn't have to worry for another two months.

"I love you," I mumbled against her hair.

"I love you too Tanner."

"I'll be going now."

"It's like college." Her eyes teared up.

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. Throwing my hands in the air, my dad laughed. I scoffed as I grabbed my binder and checked my phone.

"It's around the corner. You could always phone me when you want me home. I'll be gone three hours max."

"Two?"

"Two." I nodded my head in agreeance.

"I'll be taking advantage of the quietness," Susie yelled as she walked down the hallway.

"Give 'em torture." I smiled.

"What else is there to do?"

I laughed as I put my phone in my pocket to open the door. I closed the door and started walking to Shelly's house but then went back inside forgetting something.

"What's wrong? Staying home?" My mom said hopefully.

"No, mask. I don't want to risk running into someone without it. Even if it is around the corner," I said as I hurried to my room to get it out of my dresser.

It was clean and so I had just put it in my top-right underwear drawer. Once I had it, I texted Shelly I was going and said goodbye once more. Putting my mask on, but lowering it below my nose because there was no one walking, I started for Shelly's house.

I had yet to see it in person. When we arrived, I looked down the entire time. I thought we moved into an old neighborhood with old people. Elders, my parents would smack me if they heard my thoughts.

Once I hit the corner, I saw two people walking my way. I wasn't afraid to be near people, I was just afraid to catch it. Something was off with me for that but I stayed inside anyway. 

Nothing was going to happen if I just stayed inside. But life wouldn't be fun inside, would it?

I had gotten to her house and saw her with her own stuff. She hadn't noticed me and was looking at her homework with a frown. Leaning over, she scrolled on her computer and then sat back up with the frown leaving her face as a smile replaced it.

"Shelly," I said as I removed the mask, setting it in my back pocket.

"Tanner," she breathed as she looked at me.

Her eyes were definitely dark brown. It wasn't just the lighting. And her smile was prettier in person. Her aura was brighter too. It made me wish we had met a long time ago. Made me wonder what kind of person I'd have been had we met earlier.

I looked down, pondering over what to do next, and noticed her grass. It was green. I smiled before sitting down and facing a smiling Shelly.