I tapped my pencil on my desk impatiently, my eyes glued to the analog clock on the wall. One more minute. Then my last final was over. Excitement bubbled up inside me at the prospect. Not only would my high school days be over, but Anthony was also taking me out to dinner tonight. To my favorite restaurant.

            As soon as the bell rung I was on my feet, clenching my pencil in my hand. Before I could even take one step though, someone grabbed my shoulders, pulling me to a stop. Confused, I glanced over my shoulder at my blonde friend Jack. “What?”

            “What are you in a rush for?” he asked, grinning. “Hot date?”

            “Er, yeah, kind of.”

            His expression fell a little. “Oh. When? Me, Caroline, and the rest were going to go out for lunch to celebrate finishing the last final exam.”

            “I’m leaving at five, but I wanted to go home and take a shower and clean a little bit, sorry,” I apologized, biting my lip.

            “We’ve barely hung out this last month…”

            “I know, I know,” I responded, sighing lightly. “It’s because of my boyfriend. I’ve been busy.

            He held up his hand. “Say no more. When I first started dating my girlfriend, we were inseparable.”

            “You still are,” I pointed out with a smile.

            “Yes, but not as much as we used to be. You’ll realize you’ll need room at some point. Maybe three months in. But since you’re not coming today, you’re coming out to dinner with us after graduation.”

            “Actually, my mom…” I trailed off at his threatening look. “Just kidding. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I went out with my friends first! Haha…”

            A grin broke out across his face. “Good!”

            “Okay, see you then,” I said, giving him a little wave.

            “Have fun on your hot date.”

            “I will,” I laughed, heading for the door. “Have a nice vacation, Ms. Adams!”

            My teacher smiled and waved. “You too, Ellie.”

            I hastened down to the student parking lot, hoping to make it out before all the other students who drove to school created a back up. Luckily, it seemed most of the students were loitering around the parking lot chatting with friends. There were no busses either, since the underclassmen were still in class. I managed to make it out in record time. Turning up my stereo, I rolled down my windows, enjoying the cool breeze on the warm summer day. I could already tell it was going to be a great day.

            When I got home, Julius’s and Anthony’s cars were in my driveway, forcing me to park on the street. “Mason? Anthony?” I called upon entering my home. “Where are you?”

            “Downstairs!” came the muffled reply.

            After kicking off my shoes, I headed to my basement. Just before I opened the door, I heard a cell phone go off in the kitchen. Recognizing Anthony’s ring tone, I hurried over to it, glancing at the called I.D. It was unknown. I turned to call Anthony, but stopped myself short. What if this was the same person that called him the other day? Wouldn’t now be a great chance to find out? But I couldn’t invade his privacy like that… But then again, I wouldn’t be able to give him the phone in time.

            Holding my breath, I hit the answer button. “H-hello?”

            “Who’s this?” a rough voice demanded. “Where’s Anthony?”

            “Downstairs… This is his girlfriend. Who’s this?”

            “His father.”

            I blinked. His father? “O-oh! Hold on, I’ll go get him—”

            “Ellie?”

            I turned, seeing Anthony standing by the kitchen doorway. “Ah, Anthony. Sorry, I picked up your phone.”

            “Who is it?”

            “Your father.”

            Just like before, all color drained from his face. “What? Did he say anything to you? Give me that!”

            Surprised, I handed the phone over to him. “Sorry, I didn’t…”

            “It’s fine,” he said quickly, gesturing for me to stay quiet as he put the phone to his ear. “Dad?”

            I frowned at him. His father? That was unexpected. I’d thought maybe Anthony had been some ex drug dealer or something and now his customers wanted more. Grimacing, I realized how ridiculous that theory was. It was a good thing I hadn’t stated it out loud to anyone.

            “Yeah, that’s Ellie,” Anthony said, rubbing his forehead. “Yeah, Mom already said she could.”

            A part of me knew I shouldn’t eavesdrop on his conversation, but the other part didn’t want to leave. So I settled for whipping up some chicken wings for myself and the boys to make it seem like I was preoccupied and not listening.

            “I already said no, Dad. No means no.” Anthony’s voice suddenly got a hard edge to it. “That’s not fair!”

            Opening the cabinets, I attempted to search for Season All, but it was hard to focus on Anthony’s conversation and my task at the same time. Curiosity was burning inside me. What could they be talking about?

            “Of course she does! And no, it’s not stupid. I really like her, Dad.”

            I realized I was staring at Anthony the moment his gaze met mine and a flicker of a smile appeared on his face. My cheeks warmed up when the fact he was talking about me registered in my mind.

            “Yes, she’s still in the room… Yeah. Hey, Ellie?”

            “Yes?”

            “Can you leave the room for a second?” he asked, his eyes pleading.

            Unable to say no, I meekly nodded, deciding to see if my brother and Julius wanted anything to drink. I trudged downstairs, finding the pair of men in an intense game of Black Ops.

            “Hey guys,” I greeted, plopping down between them.

            Julius peeled his eyes off the screen for a moment to greet me while my brother just grunted. I smiled wryly. “Can I play?”

            “No,” the both said at once.

            “Why not?”

            “You’re too good,” Mason told me, shooting me a dirty look. “It’s not fun playing with you.”

            I faked a pout. “Brat.”

            “What do you want, Ellie?”

            “Anthony kicked me out of the kitchen, so I came to ask if you wanted something to drink.”

            Julius raised an eyebrow. “Anthony kicked you out?”

            “I think he…” I trailed off when I heard shouting from upstairs. Mason paused the game so silence fell in the basement. I couldn’t make out what was being said, but from the angry yelling, I figured it wasn’t something good.

            Grimacing, Julius shook his head. “I see he’s talking to his dad again.”

            Mason glanced at the ceiling. “More like hear.”

            “What are they arguing about?” I asked.

            “None of your business,” Julius responded simply.

            “Julius!”

            He grinned. “If you want to know, ask him, not us. Maybe he doesn’t want you to know.”

            “He probably doesn’t. That’s why he hasn’t mentioned it to her,” Mason added.

            “And the reason why he kicked her out of the kitchen,” Julius concluded. “Ah, poor Ellie.”

             Scowling at the pair, I forced myself up from the couch. “Fine! I’ll figure it out myself!”

            “Good luck,” Julius bid me with a wink.

            Resisting the urge to stomp up the stairs, I tip-toed up them instead, preparing to listen in on Anthony. As long as he didn’t realize I was there, it would be fine. Just as I reached the top of the staircase, the yelling stopped. I slowly opened the basement door, wincing as it squeaked, and snuck to the edge of the kitchen. Anthony’s voice floated over to me.

            “Look, I’m not a child anymore. I can make my own life choices. Mom understands that, and you need to too. I’ll see you in a week. Bye.” By the sound of it, Anthony slammed his phone down on the table, causing me to jump. After a moment of scowling at, he let out a heavy sigh.

            Deciding now was my time to enter, I made myself known. “S-something wrong?” I asked, shuffling over to him with a concerned face.

            As soon as I was close enough to him, he wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me to his chest. “Let’s talk about it later. I need to cool off.”

            “Is it something bad?”

            “It could be,” he muttered darkly.

            I squeezed him. “I’m sorry.”

            “It’s not your fault. You’re probably one of my only hopes.”

            “What does that me?” I inquired, pulling away from him so I could see his face.

            A ghost of a smirk appeared. “Oh, nothing. How was your last exam?”

            I opened my mouth to object his change of topic, but decided against it. He’d tell at some point. “Easy. English is an easy subject for me.”

            “That’s good to hear! Are you excited for dinner tonight?”

            “Yes!” I responded enthusiastically.

            “I am too,” he said, leaning down to kiss me softly. “But I have to go home and shower and change and write a bit of my English essay before we leave. So I’ll go now, and pick you up at five, okay?”

            A frown made its way onto my face. “What? You have to leave already?”

            Grinning, he just about strangled me in a hug. “Aw, you’re upset I’m leaving? You’re so cute!”

            “Anthony!” I cried, my voice muffled and most likely incoherent to him.

            “Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of alone time together tonight. If you want, and I know this is lame, but after dinner we could go see a movie.”

            Breaking away from him, I pursed my lips. “As long as you don’t try to suffocate me again, I’ll agree.”

            He laughed. “Okay. That sounds reasonable. I’ll see you later, okay?” He gave me one last brisk kiss before exiting my kitchen.

            Shaking my head, I smiled, returning to the unattended chicken wings. I could already tell it was going to be a great night.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

            “Mom! I’m leaving!” I called into the living room, leaning down to slip on my pair of black ankle boots.

            Seconds later my mom appeared in the kitchen door way, beaming at me. “Have fun! Oh! You look cute!”

            I smiled back at her, doing a little curtsy in my white jean skirt. “It only took me three hours to chose my outfit.”

            “That’s my black cardigan, too,” she pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

            “Yeah, well those are my pants,” I countered, noticing my Hollis skinny jeans practically pasted onto her legs.

            A sheepish expression crossed her face. “Touché. Don’t ruin it.”

            “I won’t,” I responded, rolling my eyes. “See you tomorrow.”

            “Behave!” she called after me as I stepped out the door, my backpack full of personal effects for the night at Anthony’s.

            Anthony was just climbing out of his Camry. Shock passed across his face upon seeing me, and he hurried up the path that led to my door. I took in his outfit as he moved toward me. Unsurprisingly, he looked very attractive in dark blue jeans and a black button-up shirt.  “Ellie,” he began, “I was just about to come up and get you—”

            “I can walk down to your car by myself,” I responded with a laugh.

            “But it’s a date, I’m doing it right,” he insisted, looping his arm through mine. “Will you play along?”

            Grinning, I nodded. “Okay. I guess I should say chivalry isn’t dead?”

            “Well, no. That would just be lame and cliché.”

            He laughed while I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, you’re going to open my door for me too?”

            “But of course, Madame,” he responded in a fake French accent.

            I slid into the passenger’s seat, watching as he hastened to climb into the driver’s seat. Seconds later we were on the road toward Olive Garden. “So how did you know Olive Garden was my favorite restaurant?”

            “Ah… Julius.”

            My smiled faltered a little. “You asked Julius that…?” Even though I’d made it clear to Julius I didn’t like him anymore, I didn’t want to flaunt the fact I choose Anthony in front of his face.

            Anthony shook his head quickly. “No! No, I wouldn’t do that. I did it in the most roundabout way.”

            “Which is…?”

            “Ask your mom to ask your brother to ask him.”

            I laughed. “Why didn’t you ask me?”

            “Because that’s too easy,” he replied simply. “And I was going to pretend like I knew all along, but realized I didn’t want to lie to you. We don’t lie to each other anymore, right?”

            “Right. So that means you have to tell me what you and your Dad were arguing about.”

            He glanced at me, showing off her white teeth in a wide grin. “Of course. It might put a damper on the mood though.”

            My eyebrows furrowed. There were too many possibilities of what they could be talking about to try and guess. Did his dad want him to focus on studies instead of lacrosse? Or maybe instead of me? Was that what my name was mentioned? There wasn’t much his father could do about that though while we were in Massachusetts and he was in Florida…

            “I don’t know about you,” Anthony started, breaking me out of my thoughts, “but I am very excited for some breadsticks.”

            “I am too! I love their breadsticks!”

            “Should we go and just eat the breadsticks and then leave?”

            I tittered, slapping him on the shoulder. “No! That’s awful, Anthony!”

            “And yet you laugh…”

            “The idea is ridiculous.”

            “You’re ridiculous.”

            “Keep your eyes on the road,” I ordered, noticing he was smirking at me.

            Returning his attention to the road, he mock saluted me. “Yes, m’am!”

            “Both hands on the wheel!”

            “Hypocrite,” he muttered, placing his left hand back onto the wheel. “I’ve seen you drive.”

            Feeling my cheeks warm, I crossed my arms and stared out the window. “But I drive slower than you.”

            “I’ll slow down,” he told me, easing on the gas so that we were going twenty miles per hour in a forty.

            “Anthony! We’ll never make it for our reservations!”

            Chuckling, he sped back up to forty-five. “We’ll get there in plenty of time, don’t worry.”

            Fortunately for both of us, his words were true. We arrived at the Italian restaurant ten minutes early, having to wait only five before we were seated at a quiet, two-person table toward the back. Shortly after a cute young man with curly red hair came up to us.   “Hi, my name’s Josh, I’ll be your waiter tonight,” he greeted with a friendly smile, a pen and pad in hand. “Can I start you off with some drinks?”

            “Sprite,” Anthony told him. “Ellie?”

            “I’ll just have water.”

            Josh nodded. “I’ll be right back with your drinks and breadsticks.”

            “Just a water?” Anthony repeated questioningly.

            “I don’t like the way soda changes the tastes of food,” I explained awkwardly. Was that weird?”

            Anthony gave me an impressed look. “I never realized soda changes the taste of food.”

            “You’d be surprised.”

            Grinning, he opened one of the menus. I copied him, taking in the many Italian choices displayed out before me.  “What are you getting?” I asked him after a moment.

            Anthony tapped his fingers on the table, his face pulled into a look of concentration. “I’m thinking the chicken and steak... Or maybe a pasta dish. What about you?”

            “The same.”

            “Really?” His eyes lit up with interest. “What if I get the chicken and steak, and you order one of those endless pasta bowls?”

            I smiled at him. “Sounds good. What kind?”

            “What kind do you like?”

            “Uhh… angel hair with Alfredo?”

            “Perfect,” he replied, shutting his menu. “Alfredo is my favorite.”

            “Mine too!”

            He chuckled, reaching across the table to pat my hand. “That’s good.”

            When the waiter came back with our drinks and breadsticks, we gave him our order. As he sauntered away, I pulled my water close to me, and sipped it. Anthony took a long gulp of his Sprite before ripping apart a breadstick and taking a giant bite. “Ugh,” he groaned. “So good.”

            Suppressing a laugh at his reaction, I took my own piece of bread and nibbled on it. “So how’s college?”

            “It’s alright. One more week of my English class and then my semester is finished. I finished my others last week and the beginning of this week.”

            “Are you as excited as me about break?”

            He grinned at me. “I’m excited about you coming down to Florida, but I’m also excited to go back to college.”

            “Really? Why?”

            “A, college is fun. B, you’re going to be there next year.”

            The corners of my lips curved up into a small smile. “That’s sweet.”

            “Are you excited for college?”

            “To be honest, I’m just nervous,” I responded honestly, cupping my hands around my cup. “It’s going to be a difficult change.”

            “Well, you have me here to help you. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them. I’ll even walk you to class.”

            I cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

            “Really.”

            “Even if it makes you late?”

            “Even if it makes me late,” he promised confidently. “Although, I’d be wary of Julius. One time he led me to the opposite side of the campus claiming that my class was there while in reality, it was on the side I was on.”

            I snorted. “That’s so like him!”

            “I know, right? I have no idea why I believed him.”

             “Because you’re an idiot,” I said teasingly.

            He faked an offended look. “You really think that?”

            “Maybe…”

            “Then I think you still love Julius.”

            “Anthony!”

            He examined the back of his fingers. “What’s that? You love him?”

            “I don’t! I take it back! You’re the smartest person I know!”

            “Why thank you,” Anthony thanked me with a wink.

            I glowered at him. “I hate you.”

            “That’s okay. I can probably still make this relationship work.”

            “So confident, eh?” I murmured, giving up. It was no use trying to put up a squabble with him. “Ah! Speaking of squabbles.”

            Anthony looked at me with a confused expression. “Who said squabble?”

            “Er, never mind. What did your dad want?”

            “Straight to the point, huh?”

            “Sorry, I’m just really curious,” I admitted sheepishly. “It’s like, gnawing at my soul.”

            He chuckled. “Oh really? I may just have to save you then.”

            “So…”

            “So, my dad wants me to move back to Florida.”

            “Huh?”

            Anthony cleared his throat uncomfortably. “My dad wants me to move back to Florida,” he reiterated slowly.

            Even though he repeated it, it took a few moments for it to settle in. His father wanted him to move back? Away from Massachusetts? “What? Why?” I demanded, suddenly feeling a little panicky. “When? What about college and—”

            “Calm down, Ellie. Let me finish.”

            I nodded vehemently. “Please do!”

            “I guess he thought me moving here would be a one year thing. He never realized that I actually might like it here. Which I do.”

            “So why were you fighting?”

            “Because he told me if I didn’t move back, he was going to cut off my monthly allowance. Which is what I use to pay most of my rent and living fees. My part time job at Walmart doesn’t make enough for me to live alone.”

            Worry flooded my heart. “So you’ll have to move back no matter what? That’s not fair!”

            “I know.”

            “I don’t want you to move back!”

            “I don’t either,” he declared. “I’m not willing to move back so easily either.”

            I bit my lip. “What will you do?”

            “Show him why I have to stay.”

            Confused, I studied his face, trying to figure out what he meant. He only showed an expression of complete confidence. “How are you going to do that, Anthony?”

            “Using you.”

            “Using me?”

            He grinned. “Uh-huh.”

            “How…?”

            “You’ll see,” he responded vaguely.

            I pressed my lips together.

            Noticing my gaze, he smiled at me. “Don’t look so worried, Ellie. I’ll also be using Julius and Mason.”

            “Okay, now I’m even more confused.”

            “You’ll see. You’ll just have to trust me.”

            My stomach twisted. “What if your idea doesn’t work? What then? Will you move back?”

            He shook his head. “No way. I want to stay here with you and my friends. I’m not going to switch during my third year of college, Ellie.”

            “Promise?”

            “I promise.” Reaching his hand across the table again, he took mine in his. “Don’t worry about it. If I really have to, I’ll live in a cardboard box.”

            Grinning, I shook my head. “I bet my mom would let you live with us.”

            “You think?”

            “You’d have to sleep in Mason’s room, but she’s pretty lenient. One time Julius stayed for a month while his parents went to Germany.”

            Anthony opened his mouth to respond, but just then Josh appeared with our orders. He placed them on the table and the delicious smell of the pasta wafted into my nose. “Would you two like anything else?”

            “No, thank you,” I responded, offering him a quick smile before picking up my fork. “Anthony, take one of those plates and help yourself.”

            “I’ll split up the meat,” he suggested, putting a few chunks of chicken and steak onto my plate. “It smells soo good. It reminds me of this place back home in Florida.”

            “What place?”

            “It’s called Doc’s Diner. It’s kind of low key, but delicious. I’ll take you there next week.”

            Twirling my pasta up with my fork, I nodded. “Okay. But let me just say, I don’t like sea food.”

            He gave me a pitying look. “You’re going to miss out.”

            I laughed, but somehow it felt forced. Even though I believed in Anthony, there was still a nagging at the back of my mind. What if Anthony decided to stay in Florida? Or his father somehow convinced him to move back? It scared me. I didn’t want to lose Anthony now that I had him.

            “Say ahh.”

            My eyes snapped to the fork Anthony was holding in front of my face. “I don’t think…”

            “Say ahh,” he urged, poking my lips with the chicken at the end of his eating utensil. “Come on, Ellie.”

            “Stop it!” I ordered, breaking out into a laugh. “I…” Somehow he managed to force the piece of chicken into my mouth and I submitted to his action, scraping it off with my teeth. “Happy now?”

            “Extremely, now that you’re smiling again. You had a pretty solemn expression on just then.”

            My smile faltered a bit. “Oh, sorry.”

            “Don’t worry about it. I know how you feel. But remember what I always say?”

            “Stay positive Ellie,” I quoted.

            He nodded. “So let’s do that, okay?”

            “Okay.”

            “Now say ahh again.”

            “Are you going to feed me all night?”

            He smirked. “Maybe.”

            “Why?”

            “It’s fun!”

            I tried to glare at him, but failed miserably. So instead, I opened my mouth and went ahh.

            “Oh yeah, Ellie. Take it.”

            My mouth snapped shut and I blushed, now fiercely glaring at him. “Anthony!”

            He guffawed, ignoring my embarrassed face. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it!”

            “You’re gross!”

            “Hahaha! That was great!”

            “I hate you!”

            Wiping tears from his eyes, he hiccupped a few times. “Oh, God. That was too great.”

            Stabbing my fork into a piece of steak, I bit into it, and all my anger faded away instantly. “If this wasn’t so good, I’d be angry at you.”

            “You can’t be angry with me ever, Ellie.”

            “Why do you think that?”

            “Because I’m too cute,” he responded, batting his eyelashes.

            I sighed, knowing it was partially true. It was hard to get angry at Anthony. Not only was he too cute, but he was also too much like a puppy. How could I not forgive him?

            “Now feed me.”

            “You want me to feed you after that?”

            He gave me a pleading look.

            “You’re such a child,” I told him, rolling some pasta up in my fork and offering it to him. “Say, ahh.”

            “Ahh!” he cried dramatically, attracting the attention of some of the other customers.

            In a knee-jerk reaction, I jammed the fork into his mouth, causing him to joke. Immediately I pulled it back, my eyes wide in horror. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry!”

            “It’s okay,” he coughed. “My fault…”

            “Well… well…”

            “Note to self, Ellie is dangerous with a fork,” he muttered.

            I kicked him lightly under the table. “Just eat, Anthony.”

__________________________________ 

Dang, I was so close to being on a four day time! Oh well, five day works! I hoped you enjoyed the chapter :) 

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