Chasing Her

Chapter 4: Downtown

Taylor's POV

Erin and I dash out of the hallway and out the school doors, running to her car. We're smiling and laughing the entire way, not believing what we are doing. I didn't think I would be this good and get the school's best volleyball player to skip school but I guess I was better than I thought. 

We hop into her blue Ford fusion and speed out of the parking lot. I can't help but take in her deep brown eyes, perfectly shaped nose, and beautiful dimples you see everytime she smiles. She catches me staring and gives me a quizzical look. 

"Everything okay? What are you looking at?" She says with a slight tone of concern in her voice.

"Everything isn't okay actually, everything is great. I'm going on a date with an absolutely stunning girl, at a new school that I didn't think I was going to make very many friends at. You are honestly making this way too easy Erin." I say with a laugh, she laughs with me and just shakes her head.

"You know for as confident and cocky as you can be with your abilities your actually not that bad to talk to. Tell me, what was it like at your old school? Were you a loner, the nerd, miss popular? Give me the deets Taylor." This time it's my turn to chuckle and shake my head at her.

"Well for one I didn't have a ton of friends but I had three good ones that I miss very much. I wouldn't say I'm a nerd or super popular but I do get good grades and was on the football team at my old school."

"You were on the football team?! You HAVE to try out for our team. We are in desperate need of players, especially good ones. And by the your looks I would say you have a good chance of making this team a winning one." I just look down and shake my head.

"I'm not sure if I will. That's something I've been trying to decide ever since my parents moved me here. I love football more than anything, I just can't imagine playing on a team that isn't mine you know?"

"I know what you mean, if I had to play volleyball for another school I don't know if I would be able to do it. My team is like my family and it would feel so wrong to do that."

"Exactly, but I mean if the star volleyball player has my back I would be more than happy to try for the football team." She just blushes and looks the other way. 

"I would love to see you play on that field." She pulls onto the side of the road by a park. "You definitely have my support Tay." She kisses me on the cheek making me get butterflies. The things she does to me I swear. 

"Cmon lets go, I'll show you around town newbie." I shake my head and laugh at her before getting out of the car and joining her. 

"Wait, how do I know your not going to kidnap me like you did my heart?" I say while giving her a smirk. She blushes and looks at the ground.

"Well I guess you won't know until you come with me for my special downtown tour."  

"Now that's what I'm talking about, lets get it baby. Where are we heading to first?"

"First is right here actually. This is the park that literally everyone goes to for everything. If I had a dollar for everytime someone was asked to a dance I would be able to buy another car. Like seriously, this is the spot for every romantic gesture you can think of. People also come here just to hang out, especially the jocks. They come here and toss any kind of ball around for hours just tossing the ball around and being, well, jocks to say the least. Expect to spend a lot of time here if you make it on the team." I nod my head taking in the information.

"So Erin.." I pause to say her last name realizing I don't know it, she figures out what I'm trying to say and tells me,

"It's Hanks, Erin Hanks. I know it sounds kinda stupid." She says with a laugh. 

"Not at all, so Erin Hanks, what do you do at the park? Anything illegal?" 

"No nothing illegal, not yet." She says winking at me. I laugh and shake my head. "Honestly I don't come here often just because of how many people are usually here. It's peaceful to come here late at night and just look at the stars, it's nice to let your mind just take a break you know?" I nod my head in agreement and take her hand, luckily she takes it back and smiles at me. She leads me down the street, hand in hand. This is definitely going better than planned. 

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As Erin and I go further into downtown we learn more about each other than before. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her dad for the most part. Her mom is too busy with work and Erin's stepdad to care what Erin is doing. Her dad on the other hand has been nothing but supportive of Erin and is her biggest fan. 

Erin plans on going into physical therapy when she graduates which honestly fits her really well. She has a little brother, Ethan, who definitely keeps her on her toes. He is all over the place when it comes to interests and hobbies. He is up all night playing video games and outside all day doing something, whether is shooting hoops or running around with his dad. Ethan also has ADHD which may explain his behavior a little bit. Erin loves him more than anything nonetheless.

I explain to Erin why I moved, who my cousins are, and anything about me. I talk a lot about Kylie, Hayley, and Max. She sympathizes for me and my situation but I just brush it off. I try not to let it bother me because I know that my dad can be small minded at times. 

By what would have been the end of the school day we had seen the library, the local diner, the family owned grocery store, an old records shop which also doubles as a comic book and movie store. To say the least we went almost everywhere today and got to know each other a lot better. We get back to her car and head back to the school to get our stuff.

Once we arrive at the school the only people left are staff and some kids lingering waiting for parents to pick them up. I walk Erin to her locker once we get inside.

"Thank you for showing me around Hanks. I appreciate it."

"Not a problem newbie. If you would like I can give you a ride home, maybe finish what we started in the bathroom?" I smile at her and all I can do again is nod in agreement. 

"I would love nothing more." And with that we head back to my aunt and uncles house after doing our thing. I thank her for the ride and the day.

"I'll see you tomorrow to continue that tour, I think we forgot to do half of it." We laugh as I get out of the car.

"I'll make sure to show you around for the second half of the day newbie, I can't wait."

"Me neither, drive safe Hanks." She waves good bye and drives away. 

It was as she was driving away that I realized I didn't have her number. I curse myself and make sure I do that tomorrow. I walk myself to the door and walk in.

I walk right into an uncle with his arms crossed and furrowed brows and an aunt with a hand on her hip and an annoyed look on her face. I guess I forgot that I skipped most of school out on the town with Erin. This is gonna be fun.