School Will Never Be the Same

The place was all you can eat buffet. When we were seated with our food a waiter came over to take our drink order. I got a red bull and Gerard got a diet coke. I thought a guy like him might want a beer or something alcoholic, but I didn’t mention anything.

“One thing I don’t get, if you don’t mind me mentioning it is why would you leave someone you love for a job? You don’t have to answer that, but I was wondering.” I said picking at my food.

“Well, I had signed up for the job before I asked her out, when I told her that it was time to go, I intended for her to move with me, we’d talked about it but when it came down to it, she couldn’t and she felt would resent her but then I hated her. Like I said her drama was getting to me, so I broke up with her a day before I left after all the arguing it made me angry. It wasn’t that I left, it’s that she didn’t understand this was a once in a life time thing.” He ate as he spoke, “I guess our relationship didn’t mean as much to her, so she couldn’t come with me.”

We ate in silence for a few minutes. I searched for something to say. I wasn’t sure if he would want a students advice on relationships, seeing as he is more likely to be more experienced than me, but I thought I would offer it any way.

“I know you probably have more relationship experience than I do, but I find the people worth dating are those who try to respect your individual decisions. Whether that be to sign up for a job or to see your friends that night instead of him. If they can’t understand why you make personal decisions you should question if they trust you.” I said picking at my food. I couldn’t look at him. I was getting real personal with him and it made me feel weird, a little awkward. But I guess I'm always at least a little awkward around him.

“Thanks, Nat,” Gerard said. I looked up at him smiling and I also saw his hand reach over as he placed it on top of mine. I smiled back and we sat there for a moment, him holding my hand. It felt nice. Although I blushed a little, my thoughts began to steer themselves in the direction of possibilities between me and him, impossible possibilities.

When he drove me home it began to rain. I hoped it wouldn’t thunder storm, I'm home alone tonight, all my friends are busy and I hate thunder storms, have since I was little. I can real freaked out by them. Gerard and I talked a little about his life in America, I told him how I hoped to take a year trip there one day and visit every state.

“Well, let me know when you do, you’re going to need a good tour guide,” he smiled, glancing over at me.

“Do you know someone any decent then,” I got the hint but I wanted to be sure it was him. I tried to hide my smile when he acted offended but I couldn’t, I ended up giggling.

“Well, yes, I do. Me. I am an amazing tour guide.”

We pulled up in front of my house, I watched the rain and I didn’t realise Gerard getting out and opening the door for me. I smiled up at him and ran to my front door, he was close behind.

“Why, thank you Gerard, I didn’t realise you could be such a gentleman,” I said, trying to prolong our time together. Although we were both getting drenched in the process. Rain dripped from his hair and nose as a smile grew.

“Your welcome,” and then we hugged. Gerard leant down and hugged me. And not an awkward first friends kind of hug, it was a proper full on hug. I hugged back, who wouldn’t? It lasted a while, he let me go when I shivered because of them damned rain. “I'm sorry you’re getting cold. Get in and get dry and I will see you at school bright and early tomorrow.” I nodded and unlocked my front door. Before I closed it I waved him off as he drove away from my house.