“You won’t meet my parents—ever,” I say as I grab at my black-and-white striped shirt dress. I couldn’t wear any of my regular shirts because they smelled of beer. I didn’t want to go to school smelling of the remnants of what happened. “Uh…what did he say to you?”
Conner shrugs as he says, “He asked if you were at my place on Friday night, and I said you were. I apologised and told him my parents were home if he wanted to talk to them and confirm.”
“But I wasn’t at your place.”
“I know…obviously,” he breathes a bitter laugh. “It seemed you didn’t want him to find you, so I lied.”
“Why?”
“That’s what friends do. Or next time, you can actually come to my house. Although when we date, I’d like a little more of a heads-up.”
“Conner, you’re being creepy again,” I state.
“I know, but you’re finally smiling, so I don’t care.”
I touch my lips, a slight smile presenting itself.
“Hungry?” he asks as he enters the McDonald’s drive-through. I reach for my back when I hesitate. I have no money. “My shout.”
“Thank you,” I mumble.
Sitting up, I look out the window. I wonder if I can get another job or even go back and ask them to open another bank account so that I can have a card for emergencies.
That might not be a bad idea.
I’ll go online later to see if I can do it without having someone present with me.
Conner parks and hands me the muffin and a coffee. I drink half before touching the muffin. I need this energy to survive the day.
“Where were you Friday night?” Conner asks cautiously.
“Um…” I press my fingernails into the foam cup, indenting it. “At Andy’s.”
It hurts to say.
Conner moves uncomfortably in his seat. I wish I could tell him I was at the bus stop, but a thousand more questions would pour out of his mouth. I’m not ready for them. So, telling him I was at Andy’s place—someone I hope will help with my lie—is the best I can come up with at short notice.
He’s silent after that, and I wonder if he still wants to be my friend. I won’t blame him if he doesn’t. If I were in this position, I’d think this girl is playing him for a fool. Using him for food and mentally screwing with him.
“Are you finished?” he asks.
I nod as I hand him my rubbish.
When he returns, he takes a deep and almost dramatic breath before turning toward me. “If you date Andy, could you tell me so I’m not pushing his boundaries? I doubt he would be chill with me driving you to school, or singing to you in public—flirting.”
“You flirt?”
“I try,” he says with a grin.
I cover my mouth as I laugh. Conner reverses out of the parking lot, and we make our way towards school.
“I don’t like Andy. He’s my childhood friend, and I can’t deny that there was a time when I thought more of him, but…” I bite my lower lip, and Conner patiently waits for me to go on. “He wasn’t there when I needed him the most. He may say he was, but he wasn’t. And it isn’t like it was his fault. I justneededmore from him. Yet, things didn’t work out, and that’s okay. I moved on, and my feelings faded for him.”
“So, I still have a chance?”
“Conner,” I sigh.
He chuckles as he turns up the volume on “The Art Of Breaking” by Thousand Foot Krutch. I added it to my playlist. At this point, I should ask Conner if we can share playlists. I’m sure he won’t mind. It’s more of me revealing all my songs on my playlist as Conner wonders if I’m okay.