I looked up at him and found he was already awake, staring at me.
“You could have moved me. I sleep like a rock, I would have never noticed.”
“You were fine. I was just watching you sleep.”
“I’m really hungry. Do you want to go get some breakfast with me?”
John looked up at the clock. “Uh, breakfast?”
“Okay. Lunch.”
“Sure.”
“I need a shower and a change of clothes, though.”
“Me too. I have the clothes, but I hate the shower here.”
“My mom’s at work, we could go back to my house.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
We both got out of bed and put on the clothes we wore the night before. John grabbed a bag and shoved some clothes and toiletries in it. We tiptoed past Robby and Mike, who were asleep in the front of the bus. We hopped into my car and drove off towards my house. I drove through the twisting neighborhood streets, we both sat in silence. I pulled into my driveway and put the car in park. I shut off the car and looked over at John.
“This is it.” We got out of the car and went up the steps to the front door. I pulled out my key and unlocked the door. I pushed the door open and John followed me into the living room.
“My room and my bathroom are upstairs.”
“Okay.” We trudged up the stairs to my room. The house my mom and I lived in was rather small, my room and bathroom was all there was on the second floor. My room was just as I had left it the night before, so obviously mom had left in alone.
“You want to take a shower first?”
“No, why don’t you?”
“Okay.” I went over and turned the radio to KTCL, my favorite station. It was Live and Unplugged Saturday and they were playing a live version of “Slide” that had been recorded here in Denver. I smiled at John.
“Hey, I remember recording that.”
“Wasn’t it at the KTCL Garage Session last summer?”
“Yeah, it was fun.”
“There are some books and magazines by my bed if you get bored. I’ll be quick.”
“All right.” I skipped off to the bathroom and began to undress. I took a quick, hot shower and wrapped a towel around myself. I walked into my room still dripping water. John was looking at the wall above my bed.
“John, it’s your turn.”
“You certainly have a lot of pictures of us.”
“You guys are my favorite band.”
“I see. Now, what did you say?”
“I said, it’s your turn.” He turned and looked at me.
“My t... oh, okay.” He was staring at me and I remembered my lack of attire. John blushed slightly and I giggled. I was not a modest girl but I found John’s modesty adorable.
“I put out some clean towels for you.”
“Thank you.” He picked up his bag and went into the bathroom. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a black baby tee. I heard the shower turn off as I brushed my hair. I swept on some silver eyeshadow and charcoal eyeliner. I was leaning over my dresser, looking into the mirror and putting on a coat of glossy black mascara, when John walked in the room. He was dressed in a pair of cargo pants and a soft, black sweater.
“You don’t need that stuff. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
“I may not need it, but I like it. So,” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Come on, let’s go get some lunch.” I picked up my keys and we headed downstairs. I stopped dead in my tracks on the bottom step, my mom was standing in the living room. John ran into me and then looked up.
“Alone in your room with a boy. And you expect me to believe you weren’t out having sex and drinking on your birthday?”
“Mom, it’s not what you think...”
“Oh, it isn’t? Explain it then, where were you all night and what were you just doing?”
“I was filming a music video last night and I was just getting ready to go to lunch.” As mom moved closer I could smell the alcohol on her breath.
“Yeah right, Wynter. How dumb do you think I am? You go back to your room and you, whoever you are, you get out of my house.”
“No mom, I’m going out with John.”
“Over my dead body.”
“You’re drunk mom, you don’t realize what you are saying.”
“Shut up, Wynter.” She raised her hand to slap me and I felt John move forward to protect me.
“No mom, I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”
“If you walk out that door, then you can’t come back, ever.”
“If that’s what you want.” I walked towards the door and John followed me. As we left I heard my mom calling me, telling me to come back. I just got into my car and started it. John got in next to me and looked at me, his eyes filled with concern. “What do you want for lunch?”
“I don’t care. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. How about Applebees?”
“That’s fine with me. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine John. Okay.” I reached over and turned up the stereo. I didn’t mean to sound like such a bitch, but it’s hard to drive and cry at the same time. I just got kicked out of my home, of course I was upset. I pulled into the parking space. We went into the restaurant and got a booth. After we ordered our drinks and lunch, John asked me again.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“No, I’m not. I’m sorry I was such a bitch earlier.”
“It’s quite all right. You want to talk about it?”
“I just got kicked out of my house. I don’t know where I’m going to stay. I mean, I can stay with Ivy until the end of school, but what about this summer. In September I go to school but until then...”
“I know we just met, but maybe I could help.”
“What are you, my knight in shining armor?” I teased.
“I just want to help you. This is a horrible situation and I refuse to leave you in it.” I covered his hands with mine and looked straight into dizzying blue eyes.
“Thank you, John. That’s too depressing, we’ll talk about it later. Let’s talk about something else.” Our waitress was back with our food. You could tell by the look in her eyes that she knew who I was talking to, but she didn’t say a word.
“So where are you going to college?”
“I have a full scholarship to New York University.”
“Wow! What are you going to study?”
“Don’t know.”
“Wait, that’s perfect.”
“What’s perfect?”
“I keep an apartment in Manhattan for when I go to New York. You could stay there this summer.”
“Thank you, John, but I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be imposing. I won’t be home for most of the summer, so you’ll have the place to yourself.”
“I’ll think about it.” We finished our lunch and I glanced down at my watch. “Oh shit, we better leave. We’re supposed to be at school right now.” John payed the check and we rushed out to my car.
Back at school they hadn’t even noticed we weren’t there yet. We went to get our hair and make-up done. The lat thing they wanted to film was a dance scene. There were extras in tuxedos and prom dresses wandering around everywhere. The tuxs and dresses were all dark colors meant to make John and I stand out. They put John in a black suit jacket with silver pin striping, black slacks with the same striping, and a shiny maroon shirt. They swept my hair up on top of my head and stuck two white roses in it. I was done up with lavender eyes, pink lips, and incredibly pale skin. The dress was plain and simple, pastel green satin with spaghetti straps that was floor length.
The Goo Goo Dolls were playing up on a stage and I entered through a door in the back. I walked to the center of the dancers and stood and stared at John. John took off his guitar and jumped off the stage. The crowd parted as he walked toward me. He pulled me to him and we began dancing as the camera panned out.
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