The final bell rings and the school explodes with sounds of cheering and screaming and the scraping sound of tables and chairs moving across the tile floors. The last day of the long and agonizing school year is a wonderful day filled with freedom and rejoice. Everyone is running around saying goodbye to friends, complaining about how much they're going to miss each other.
Despite the lack of maneuverability and sense of direction, Seth manages to make his way to Candace's locker safely. He lovingly greets her from behind by wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck, whispering Guess who? into her ear. She turns her head and returns the kiss.
"Hi, love! How are you?"
The small talk begins, and he isn't interested. He has other things on his mind. She talks to him about her day, and he listens closely because he knows she wants to talk to someone who listens. Seth presents a preposition that takes Candace by surprise.
"So baby, how about we head on over to my place? My parents aren't home and I'd really like to spend some time with you alone."
From school, his house is about a two-minute walk, and she's been dying to spend some alone time with her love, so she accepts. They walk hand-in-hand towards his duplex, residing in which from top to bottom are a close friend's grandmother, himself and his family (both parents and a younger sister), and his grandfather in the basement. As they approach his home, he makes an unexpected right turn into what seems like his driveway, although a few meters ahead is where his grandfather's truck is parked.
"Where are we going?" Candace asks. "Isn't the front door that way?" as she gestures towards the front of the house.
"We're going in the back," Seth replies, "to the patio. I just didn't want to drag you through the whole house, I hope you don't mind."
They climb a half-dozen metal stairs up to his patio, where they sit on an outdoor patio couch. She comfortably leans on Seth who, by now, has grown fond of it, and gently massages his upper leg. He's turned on by this seemingly innocent act, but the fact that other things are occupying his thoughts doesn't help much. "Come with me" he says calmly as he gets up from the semi-uncomfortable furniture.
"Where are we going now?" she asks, but he doesn't answer.
Candace follows Seth closely back down the slightly rusted stairs. They make their way towards the middle of his backyard when he suddenly stops.
"What are you doing, honey?" she asks him worriedly. He picks up on her worried tone. 'She's always over thinking things and blowing them out of proportion.' he thinks to himself. 'Well I better get to the point quick before she starts freaking out.'