Caught in Us (Lost 3)

To my intense surprise, the Rhetoric & Public Speaking class on Thursday goes well. When my turn comes, I rearrange the red scarf around my neck, and then find Damon's face in the crowd and focus on him. Then, slowly, I start looking at other people, too, and I still don't panic. Since it's the last class, everyone skids out after it's over. Damon and I stay behind, desperate for a few moments alone.

"What would you say if I asked you on our second date?" Damon asks.

"Mmmm...Where, on the school roof? Or the cafeteria? With Paul chaperoning us?"

"How about outside school premises?" His eyes glint mischievously.

"Hell, yes. You want to escape?"

He nods proudly. "I've set everything up, just needed your permission."

"To what?"

"Kidnap you," he answers. Adrenaline wiggles its way into my body. I'm afraid this will mean trouble for both of us, but I need to be alone with him so much it actually hurts. "There are things I can't wait to do to you, and there better be no one around when I do."

The promise in his voice is exactly what I need. I nod.

"Here is what we'll do." He tells me his escape plan in less than two minutes. I ponder over it quickly, but it seems pretty bulletproof. The aftermath will be a disastrous fight with my parents, but right now, I don't care.

I leave first. Paul waits for me in front of the classroom. He throws me a few miserable looks as we walk in silence. I shrug sympathetically, guilt whipping at me for what I'm about to do. I've always liked Paul.

"Let's walk by my locker; there's something I want to take from it." I don't need anything, but it's the only way to pass by the bathroom I need. When we’re in front of the ladies room, I say, "I need to go inside. Be right back."

Paul nods, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. Once I'm in the bathroom, I break into a run toward the window. It's the only bathroom with a window large enough to climb through. Unfortunately, it's as far away from the parking lot as it gets, and time is of the essence. With my bag on my back, clutching my light jacket tightly in my hand, I climb through the window then jump down. I lose my balance and fall on all fours. Bolting upright, I hurtle across the school grounds, my heart leaping in my throat. I keep looking back, though there's no way Paul's following me. Still, if he realizes what I'm up to, he has time to stop me. The muscles in my legs pulse from the effort as I force myself to go faster. When I take the last corner, my heart falls back in its rightful place. Damon awaits me on his bike. My breath whooshes out when I reach him. He puts a helmet on my head, and then helps me into his protective jacket. I throw one jittery leg over the bike, mounting it.

"Go, go, go," I urge, and as the bike starts roaring, I cling to him for dear life. From the corner of my eyes, I see Paul arriving in the parking lot, panting and red-faced. His body goes rigid when he sees me. Though I know he can't see my lips, I mouth an apology.

We speed past the school gates and then onto the street. I pinch my eyes shut, the wind tugging at every inch of my body. I feel the hammering of Damon’s heart beneath my fingers. This is the most reckless moment in my life, but I feel safe with him. It dawns on me that I haven't asked him where we're going. I only know we're on the highway when the bike lays on speed. I cling to Damon for a long time. When we slow down, my eyes flutter open. I recognize the surroundings. We're not far away from my home, and we're heading downtown.

"Where are we going?" My voice comes out muffled, and the wind covers it. When the bike comes to a halt and Damon descends, I'm baffled. I take in the sight of the familiar restaurant. The first thing I do after jumping down is switch off my phone. Damon does the same. I know we'll face hell after our little adventure comes to an end, but I intend to ignore that fact for as long as possible.

"Why are we here?"

"The best steak on the coast," Damon replies with a grin.

"I know the restaurant, but what are we doing here?"

"I thought you'd like it. You tagged yourself and James here a few times. I saw it on Facebook."

"You stalked me on Facebook?"

"Hey, I was looking at your profile to see if you qualify as girlfriend material. That's totally legit."

"It sure is. Damon...Just because I come here with James doesn't mean we have to go here."

This restaurant is very expensive, and I bet Damon won't let me pay. As if reading my mind, he says, "Don't worry; I've got it covered."

"Take me somewhere you want to go."

"We'd have to travel a long way to do that. All my favorite hangout places are miles away."

"Well then, let's do something else." I notice the giant billboard poster on the other side of the street and an idea strikes. "Let's go see a movie."

"Okay."

"That was easy."

"Look at your smile." He traces the contour of my lips. I hadn't even realized I was grinning. "Nothing makes you happier than a movie, huh? Is there a cinema nearby?"