Inseparable

“Then what’s the problem? Who cares what everyone thinks if he doesn’t care?” She shrugged, reaching up to tuck a stray lock of hair back in her ponytail.

“The problem is everyone else’s reaction is going to be the same as yours,” She said frustrated. She had a point. Kella’s break-up with Melissa had been pretty high profile. To go from a lesbian relationship to a Gennerson was pretty damn ballsy, and it would be news.

“Since when have you cared about other people’s reactions, Kel?” I asked, smiling at her, “To hell with them.” Kella grinned back at me.

“You’re right, as usual,” She quickly hugged me again, before returning to her cooking.

“So are you going out with him again?” I asked.

“Yep,” Kella grinned, “We’re going out tomorrow night

Chapter Six

By mid-afternoon on Saturday, my stomach was dong somersaults, and doubts were slowly flittering through my mind. Why had I agreed to go out with him? I could’ve quite happily spent the remainder of the semester admiring him from afar, like some kind of weird stalker. My biggest worry was that we’d have nothing in common, and the evening would be filled with awkward silences and forced conversation.

I was finally beginning to master the art of walking with this damn cast. I had to se

e the doctor again next week, and there was a small chance it would come off then, and I was hoping like hell it would. The thing itched like hell, and it was hard to look alluring when your foot resembled a blob of marshmallow.

Kella was out again with Fraser for the third time that week. Things between them seemed to be developing quickly, and Kella was happier than I’d ever seen her.

The eight o’clock alarm on my cell sounded just as the doorbell rang. Yes, I’d set an alarm for eight. Why, I didn’t know exactly, but I figured it was a test, and he’d passed.

Passing the hallway mirror, I eyed my reflection. After hours debating what to wear, I’d gone simple, but pretty. My fitted jeans covered most of the cast, and the low cut peach sweater showed enough to be sexy, without falling into slutty. My hair fell loosely around my face, thanks to half an hour in front of the mirror with a curling iron.

“Hey,” I said, smiling, a sound somewhere between a gasp and a groan escaping my lips. Dane looked completely gorgeous in his trademark jeans and black shirt. He’d forgone his usual leather jacket for a black corduroy one, which looked just as hot.

“You look stunning,” He smiled, his eyes trailing down my body in a way that left me feeling like I’d answered the door in my underwear. It was just a pair of jeans and a sweater. It wasn’t like I had dressed up for the occasion. I mean, it was a movie, and he probably just felt sorry for me.

Who was I kidding, I was so freaking excited I wanted to scream it from the rooftops. This was just me, trying to act cool.

“Thanks,” I smiled, “So what are we seeing?” I followed him out to his car. He opened the passenger door like a gentleman which left me smiling like a total fruit loop. My heart thumped as his hand brushed past mine as he shut the door.

It was official. I was a goner. I was swooning big time.

“Are you in the mood for comedy? Or a horror? Or maybe a little romance?” He winked at me, with his wonderful lopsided grin that I just wanted to pepper with kisses. Sweet little kisses that would make him want to throw me down onto the back seat of this car and do inappropriate things with me.

“Am I in the mood for romance? Are you serious, Dane, that’s your best move?” I burst out laughing, as he dropped his eyes and frowned, pretending he was wounded. Truthfully, a little bit of romance sounded wonderful, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. It was so much more fun to tease him about his corny moves, than to admit aloud how much I liked him.

“Hey, I’m out of practice. Give a guy a break,” He said. His smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but return it.

“From what I’ve heard, you certainly had lots of practice up until last year,” I teased, keeping my voice light. This was as close as I’d get to an organic opportunity to quiz him on last year. The lightness dulled from his eyes, and was replaced with apprehension.

Okay, so bringing up last year was a moment killer. Go Lily.

“As true as that may be, Lily, things change,” He shrugged, glancing my way, “I’m not the person I was a year ago. Are you?” He shrugged. The lightness came back into his eyes, and he grinned.

His words brought me down a few pegs. Things change. Boy did I know that. Suddenly I was thinking of Abby, and how I should be talking with her about my first date with a college boy. There were so many things we going to miss out on doing together.

“Hey,” Dane said softly, his hand brushing over my leg as he reached to change the gears, “I’m sorry if I came across as rude. There are just some things that are hard for me to talk about.”

“I get it Dane, I do,” I smiled, assuming he meant his sister. “And you’re right. Things do change,” I said softly. Why did I suddenly feel on the verge of tears? Part of me wanted to crawl into bed and just lay there for days, but I was past that time I my life where I’d let my emotions get the better of me. I was strong Lily now.

“Do you wanna skip the movie? I know a great little restaurant a bit out of town.” He asked me gently. He'd sensed my sadness, probably because I wasn’t very good at hiding it. It meant a lot that he cared enough to change plans at the last minute, as though his goal was to make me happy. Dinner sounded perfect, because what I needed most right now was to talk.

The restaurant turned out to be a small Italian place in the middle of nowhere, which suited me perfectly because I loved Italian, and it was romantic. From the soft music, to the candles in the middle of each tastefully decorated table, to the decadent smell of pasta wafting through the air, he could not have picked a more perfect place if he wanted to impress me. I was officially wooed.

Once we were seated, and our orders placed I sat awkwardly waiting for him to start the conversation. Argh. I hated first dates. Things would be so much easier if we could fast forward to date three or four. It was then you really started to get to know someone. I stifled a laugh, which resulted in a loud snort. Since when was I an expert on relationships?