"Tonight?" I nodded at Kenna. "Okay... let me think. I can get Kelly to let you borrow a dress, and I'll do your make up. Oh, Em, you'll be gorgeous by the time I'm done with you." I was glad for the first time in my life for the parents we had. I lived with my mother who... well she had some bad.. Illegal habits concerning Meth. So she wouldn't care if I was gone for the night.
And Kenna's parents were never home. At that time they were cross country doing God knows what.
We finished up for the day at school and then virtually ran to her house. When we got there, her older sister Kelly was just getting home from college. Kelly and I were about the same size. Five seven and pudgy. We'd traded clothes before, so I knew that it wouldn't be a problem to borrow a sun dress and sweater for tonight.
By six that night, I had on a beautiful blue sun dress with little flowers on the top of the bodice, and a white sweater. Kenna let me borrow a pair of black sandals. They were plain with just a stretchy material over the top to hold your foot in. They were incredibly comfortable.
The door bell rang as I was putting my hair into a bun. Running my hands under cold water I slicked it back and put a small dab of hair jell in to make it stay. Sliding my glasses back on I looked at myself in the mirror.
The squarish black frames of my glasses made me look intelligent while the make up Kenna put on me made me look less bookish and more blossoming flower.
"Emma, your date has arrived," Kenna sang as she entered the bathroom. "Woah. You look gorgeous. Like something out of a fifties movie." I laughed.
"I think I'll stay with gorgeous."
Kenna grinned. "Come on, he's waiting."
I stepped into the living room and smiled. Sam was looking at the family photo's on Kenna's fire place. "Hi, Sam." I mumbled, unsure of what to do.
He turned around quickly and a look of shock came over his face. "Wow." He came closer and picked up my hand kissing it gently. "You look beautiful, Emma." I blushed and looked at Kenna. I mouthed thank you, and she smiled.
"Shall we go?" I nodded and let him lead me out.
"Have fun!" Kenna yelled and waved us off.
Sam led me to a nice Honda civic. It had to be new. It had the new car smell inside. He opened the door for me and helped me in before running to his side and getting in.
"This is a really nice car, Sam. Is it new?"
He grinned. "Yeah, I got it last month. Kind of a reward to myself for doing so well at the school."
We drove along, making small talk, until he pulled in front of one of my favorite restaurants.
"You like Serevello?" I asked, surprised. It was kind of a hole in the wall Mom and Pop type place, but great. Best Italian this side of Rome.
"Yeah, I love this place. Its my favorite."
"Me too. How funny." He helped me out of the car, and to my surprise, didn't let go of my hand as we walked toward the restaurant.
We sat in one of their circular booth's, and as dinner wore on, we scooted closer and closer to each other. When he was sure no one was looking, he would kiss me on the lips quickly and quietly, and then I would blush.
He rested his hand on my knee as we talked and ate. It almost gave me the illusion that we were a couple and were just enjoying an evening away from home.
He told me all about his life at school, and what he wanted to do with his life. "How many guys do you know that want to teach third grade?" He laughed and shook his head. "But that was when I had my favorite teacher, and besides, get em' while their young right?" I laughed and agreed with him.
After dinner he asked if I wanted to see a movie. It was nearing eight, and the sky was dark with stars. "Can we go for a walk instead? There is a park down the block, and it has a beautiful little stream."
He kissed the hand he held in his. "That sounds wonderful." We walked hand in hand to the park and down its dimly lit paths.
As we walked in combinable silence in the park, holding hands. I had ignored the thoughts racing through my mind all night, but in the silence, it was unable to ignore. Part of me wanted to pull away from his hand. What if another student or teacher saw us holding hands? I wasn't stupid. I knew what would happen to him, and to me. We would both be ostrisized, he would be fired and I would be labeled a slut.
I glanced up at him as we walked and he smiled as he caught me staring. What was wrong with me? I was sure I would be fine, now that I thought about it. Who would see us walking in a deserted park at dusk? I wanted to knock on wood, or cross my fingers, but found myself unwilling, lest he see me do it and questioned me about it.
It was not something I wanted to talk about.
I looked back up at him and nudged him. He looked at me with wide eyes and I laughed.
"What?" I asked smiling.
"Nothing," he said chuckling. Squeezing my hand we neared the stream and sat on a bench near it.
We talked about everything that could have possibly come up. I told him about my parents, as hard as it was, and he was comforting. He told me it didn't mean my parents habits were my own, and that I as a different person than they were.
No one had ever made me feel so accepted. We talked about all our favorite things and discovered we had much in common. Before we knew it, it was going on eleven. "I should probably get home."
Sam nodded. "I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you, Emma. I wouldn't do that. I hope you know that."
I smiled up at him. "I know Sam. Your a great guy. I just wish there weren't so many things keeping us apart." I stood and walked to the edge of the stream. He followed closely behind.
He sighed. "I know. I wish I could show you off to the world as my girlfriend."
That stopped me cold. "You want me to be your girlfriend?"
He looked down at the ground before looking back up at me. "Is that really a bad thing?"
I laughed and hugged him. "Of course not, Sam. I was just surprised. That's all." He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. My head fit under his chin perfectly, and he rested it there. I don't know how long we held on to each other like that, but when we finally pulled away, Sam touched my face lightly.
"Can I kiss you Emma?"
