Solo (22 page)

We held hands and walked toward the general store. Across the street we heard the baseball team laughing and joking as they entered the diner.

"Come on, let's go." I pulled him toward the curb.

"What are you doing?" He resisted my pull.

"We're going to the diner. I don't want you to miss out on your traditions."

He spun me around to face him. "I thought we were getting ice cream."

"We can get it at the diner."

"I don't need to go to the diner to celebrate; I've got my prize right here." He picked me up and twirled around.

"Put me down before you get hurt," I laughed.

"Seriously, I don't want to go to the diner."

"Okay, last chance."

We got ice cream cones and found an empty bench. Lucas pulled me close to him.

"How's your ice cream?" he asked.

"Delish, I love cookie dough. How's yours?"

"Well, it's strawberry, so it's berry good."

"You're such a dork. But a berry cute dork." I reached and messed his hair.

I picked out huge chunks of cookie dough while we laughed and joked. We finished our ice creams and decided to stroll down the sidewalk and look in the display windows. At an antique store, I stopped to admire some vintage glass Umpqua milk jars on display.

"Do you want to go inside?" Lucas asked.

"Do you mind?"

"No, silly; otherwise I wouldn't have asked."

"Yeah, let's go in."

I wanted to see what else they had in the store, but I really wanted to get my hands on the Umpqua jars. They were only ten dollars each. I pick out the best two and hurried to pay before Lucas saw me. I wanted to surprise him with his first memory jar.

The little old man behind the counter seemed to be as old as the antiques in his store. He took forever checking me out. I wrapped the jars in paper while he rang up my purchase on the century-old cash register. I kept glancing at Lucas, who was shuffling through a box of old records. I went to see if he'd found anything interesting, but he was finished with the box by the time I reached him. He looked down at my bag.

"You actually found something in this store?"

"Yep, I enjoy a good antique every once in awhile."

The team was filtering out of the diner and onto the sidewalk when we left the antique store. Casey motioned for us to come over. I looked at Lucas to see if he'd noticed her.

"Do you want to go over and say hi?" he asked.

"It's up to you, but I don't think Casey will stop waving until we do."

"You're absolutely right. We should save her arm."

We crossed the street to join the group. To my relief, Sasha and Evan were nowhere in sight. We stayed and talked for a few minutes before Lucas saved me.

"Well, we've got to get going." He grabbed my hand.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning, Casey." I waved goodbye.

"Okay, see ya," Casey hollered, and then turned to join another conversation.

When Lucas pulled into my grandparents' driveway, he turned to say something, but stopped abruptly. He tried again, and stopped.

"Is there something you want to say?" I raised my eyebrows.

He finally blurted, "Can I take you to school tomorrow?"

"Was it that difficult to ask if you could take me to school? Sure, I'll be ready at seven."

"All right." He leaned over and gave me a little peck.

"Good night." I got out of the truck, puzzled by the simple kiss.

I reached the porch and turned to wave, but he was already pulling out of driveway. He really had me confused. We'd had such a good time; I didn't understand his sudden mood change.

Mom came into the kitchen while I was making a sandwich. "How was the game?"

"It was fun, our team won."

"What's this?" She peeked in my bag.

"After the game Lucas and I ate ice cream and went into an antique store. I found a few jars that I'm going to use."

"Oh, your memory jars?"

"Yeah, I got two; I'm going to make Lucas his first jar."

"That's so thoughtful." Mom kissed my forehead. "Good night, honey."

"Night." I grabbed my sandwich and jars and went to my room.

For the next hour I worked on the jars, trying to make them look exactly the same. The outcome couldn't have been better. I now had the perfect flag football consolation prize for Lucas.

Lucas was still in his strange mood when he picked me up for school. The only words he muttered during the ride were, "Good morning." I couldn't think of anything I'd said or done to upset him.

I knew something was wrong when he avoided our morning kiss. He stood quietly next to my locker while I put my stuff away. I started to get a complex. The same eerie silence continued into the junior hall.

"Good morning, guys," Casey grinned.

"Morning," Lucas muttered and walked past her to his locker.

"So, what did you say?" Casey questioned with an exaggerated smile.

"What are you talking about?"

"About prom, silly. Jack said Lucas was going to ask you about the hotel room. That's why we thought you two disappeared last night."

"Oh…" I couldn't hide my shock.

"He didn't ask, did he?"

"No, he didn't. But now everything makes sense. He's been acting weird since last night."

"Maybe he's working up the courage."

"Maybe."

Lucas returned and said he was going to class early and he'd see me at lunch. He barely touched me before walking away. I looked at Casey, completely confused.

"He must be really nervous." Casey tried to comfort me.

"Yeah, I guess."

I thought about Lucas all morning. I wasn't looking forward to our inevitable conversation. It would either make, or break, our relationship. I hated the not knowing.

Lucas was still quiet during lunch, so I took the opportunity to talk to the girls about the flag football game. I was thrilled when Rachel said she had enough girls to play. My excitement sparked a tiny grin from Lucas when I told him the game was on.

After lunch, he said he'd see me in study hall. Since he had skipped out on me before when he was upset, I wasn't holding my breath expecting him to show. To my amazement, when I entered the library, he was at my table reading a book. I sat beside him to see his reaction. He gently placed one hand on my leg as he continued to read. I took that as a sign he still wasn't in the mood to talk, so I pulled out my iPod.

He shot me an insulted look.

"What? I listen to music when I do my homework."

"I figured we could talk after our homework is done."

"So you want to talk—fine. Until then, I'm listening to my iPod." I put my ear buds in, ignoring his glare, and opened my book.

Lucas finished his work, laid his head on his arm, and stared at me.

I tried to avoid looking at him, but his grin kept distracting me. It didn't help that he was rubbing my leg, trying to get my attention.

Finally, giving in, I turned off my iPod. "Are you done with your funky mood?"

"I've got a lot on my mind. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm not upset, just worried. I wasn't sure if I'd done something to irritate you."

"No, it's all me."

We sat quietly for the remainder of study hall. I really didn't want to press the issue, so I let it slide. I knew what he wanted to talk about.

When he finally spoke, it was to tell me he didn't have baseball practice and he would take me to my grandparents' house right after school. It was the first time I didn't mind not hanging out with him.

I was relieved to hear the bell and didn't hesitate leaving the library. Lucas was right behind me. On the way to my locker, I didn't even look back to see if he was following. Casey and Jack walked past and I barely heard them say goodbye. I stood at my locker trying to remember what I needed.

Lucas had already pulled the truck to the side of the building when I walked out. We rode in awkward silence. Thanks to Casey, I knew what was coming—the big discussion about prom night. I had to tell him how I really felt and I hoped he wouldn't freak out and change his mind about taking me. By the time we pulled into my grandparents' driveway, my stomach was tied in knots and I felt queasy.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school." I opened the door.

Lucas grabbed my backpack. "Hey, do you have a minute to talk?"

The knots tighten. "Yeah, do you want to come in?"

"It's nice out, maybe we can sit on the porch."

"That's fine. Let me take my stuff inside. I'll get us something to drink." I went in the house while he sat on the steps. "Mom, I'm here!"

The floor creaked upstairs. I ran up the backstairs in the kitchen to tell Mom I would be outside with Lucas. She was typing an e-mail to my dad. That would keep her busy with for awhile; her e-mails were more like novels.

 I asked where my grandparents were. She said they'd gone to a doctor's appointment, which eased my mind because now my grandmother couldn't eavesdrop on my conversation with Lucas.

I went back downstairs, grabbed two glasses of sweet iced tea, and walked outside to join him. "It's so nice today, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it almost feels like summer." He took my hand.

"Is everything okay? You seem out of it." I tried to help him get to the point of our talk.

He smiled. "Yeah, everything's fine. I've just had a lot on my mind all day."

"That's obvious. Is there something I can help you figure out?" I traced shapes with my finger on the outside of his hand.

He let out a long sigh. "It's nothing to worry about."

I didn't say anything, wishing he'd just blurt out what was on his mind because I couldn't take his uncomfortable vibe much longer.

"So, are you getting excited about prom?" he asked.

Here it comes.
"Yeah. What about you?"

"Yes, because I'll be there with you."

"You have a point," I joked. "I think it's going to be fun and I love my dress."

"Jack and I went to order our tuxes a few days ago." He sighed, "Eliana, I need to talk to you about prom night."

Make it or break it time.
"What is it?" My stomach constricted.

"Please hear me out before you answer."

"Okay." I made a motion of zipping my lips.

"Well, Roseburg isn't that far away, but it might be better if we don't drive in the middle of the night. Jack and I thought it would be a good idea if we stayed at the hotel on prom night. He's already asked Casey to stay with him. I was wondering if you'd mind sharing a room with me."

I didn't say anything.

"Okay, you can answer," he said low.

I rubbed the side of my head, collecting my thoughts. "Lucas, before I answer your question, I have a few things to say. It might change your mind about being with me, but I need to get it over with."

He looked at the ground like I'd already said no. I reached and gently turned his face until I'd engaged his eyes with mine. I really wanted him to understand what I was saying.

"We've haven't been dating long, and I'm in no hurry to move to the next level in our relationship. In fact, it will be an extremely long time before that happens. I've got so many things planned for my future. I don't want to risk it with a so-called mishap. So, if I say 'yes' and stay with you in a hotel room, I want it made clear, as clear as today's blue sky, that nothing even
remotely
close to the next level will happen. I don't want you to have any false expectations. If you're thinking about our relationship going in that direction, then this is your out." I stared at the field across the road.

"Wow, usually I'm the blunt one."

He grabbed my hand—not the reaction I'd expected—but I was definitely pleased. I laid my head on his shoulder and we just sat, enjoying the warm breeze.

"So, is that a 'yes'?" he questioned.

"Well, I'll have to ask my mom. She'll be the deciding factor. However, I do have one condition; you'll have to get a room with two beds."

"I think I can handle that." He wrapped his arm around me. "Hey, do you want to go for a walk?"

"Sure, let me grab my hat. I'll be right back."

When I reached the stairs, Mom sat on a middle one with tears in her eyes. She quickly swiped at them. My eyes got wide. I was sure she'd overheard our conversation through the screen door.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Hey Mom, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, honey."

"Lucas and I are going for a walk." Before I knew it, Mom had her arms wrapped around me. "Mom, what's wrong? Is everything okay with Dad?"

"Yeah, your dad is fine. I'm just at a loss for words."