The school bell echoed in my ear, as I swung my bag over my shoulder, darting
through the crowds of teenagers.
I pushed open the door of the bathroom.
"Hey." Sunshine hummed, as I looked around the room:
The off-white walls, lined with frosted windows, filtering warm, bright sunlight
into the room – the strong scent of detergent lingering in the air, burning my
throat like acid.
"Hi." I swallowed, awkwardly.
We'd been on two dates and chatted on the phone every day, but not once
had Sunshine even acknowledged my existence at school. None of the popular
girls did.
"Why've you called me here?"
"A date." She pulled her long hair forwards, brushing it carefully through.
I frowned – shocked at what she must have been implying. "In a bathroom."
"The park." She corrected, not breaking eye contact from the mirror. "Meghan
and Tasha are shopping so hopefully it might all be clear."
"Sure." I bit my lip, reluctantly – hurt by how embarrassed she was to be seen
with me. "When did you have in mind?"
She fumbled in her handbag for a soft-pink lipstick, smudging it across her
mouth. "Maybe now?"
"Holly?"
I didn't answer.
Staring blankly at the blue letters marked above the sink.
Holly Parker is a BITCH
Holly?"
"Yes." I replied, trying to rub it away with my thumb – luckless. Sunshine was
blinking at me. Concerned. I forced a smile. "Ready to go?"
…
Side by side, we wavered gently back and forth on the swings, chatting and
giggling as the sun melted over the endless horizon.
"Truth or dare?" I beamed – church bells echoing in the distance, scattering
bird through the bronzed twilight.
She gasped for breath, still shaking with laughter. "Truth."
I sipped from a glass bottle – mouth burning. "How long have you liked me?"
The words came out clumsy and inhuman.
Blushing, she picked at her orange nail varnish.
"That long?"
She shrugged – unsure of how to react.
"That's amazing." I took hold of her hand, confidence bursting through me. Her
hot, soft skin was smooth to the touch.
She gazed at me – eyes sparkling and I knew everything she wanted in that
moment, as I leaned in to kiss her gently on the cheek.
Her face lit up, like fireworks on a cold, November night, as she pulled me into
a hug – holding tightly – as the day passed lovingly into the hands of darkness