"I'll take this over my uniform any day. That shit's heavy. Those boots are no joke." I picture Chase in his uniform and I think I'd prefer him in that ensemble over his professional one.
"I'll be honest, I couldn't picture you at a pencil skirt and a button-up kind of job." He pauses, and rubs his chin, "Not saying that wouldn't be a great look for you.." That makes me smile, and I bite my lip to hide it.
"I don't think you ever said what you were going to college for. What are your plans?" I look over at him as he looks both ways before pulling out and starts heading in the direction of the high school.
"Umm...Liberal arts?"
He chuckles. "Really?"
"Yeah, why is that funny?"
"Not funny, just amusing."
"Because..."
He glances at me and shrugs. "It's just a typical major for college-bound students."
To be honest, I have no idea what I want to do. I thought maybe I would follow in Victor's footsteps, doing something business-related but I'm not sure. I turn to face him, feeling comfort in him, therein, feeling comfort in us. "I have no idea what I want to do," I tell him honestly.
"That's normal."
"Is it? I mean Tay knows what she wants to do, I thought I'd also know by now. I don't like this feeling of...unsettlement. I want to KNOW what I want to do with my life. Did you know you wanted to go into the Army?"
"No, but the decision didn't come lightly. My father wanted me to follow in his footsteps. Part of me joined in resentment; I didn't want to do what he wanted me to do. Obviously, it's more than that...the Army isn't something you do for fun. The drill sergeants aren't easy on you. They're in your face. You're crawling through mud and barbed wire. But it felt right. I'm still figuring out what I want to do. The Army has provided me with options. But I'm still following my father's path."
"I would never last in the Army."
"You'd be surprised what you're capable of."
Sadly, our drive was over way too soon, and I was pretty bummed that I had to get out of our makeshift cocoon.
School was school--mundane and dreadful--although something very unexpected happened. While sitting at lunch with Taylor and Jerry, a very cute senior--who transferred from another school at the beginning of the year--approached our little booth. Devin Watts slid in next to Taylor, across from me and Jerry, and started up a conversation with us. After a couple minutes he asked me out. Me! I, Veronica Russo, was asked out by another senior! I still can’t believe it. He is cute, athletic, and has great hair. But he has nothing on Chase. My enthusiasm disappears at the thought of Chase, and even thinking of saying ‘yes’ to this Devin floods me with guilt. Everything between me and Chase is so new, I still have no idea where it’s headed. I don’t really want to mess it up when it’s had no chance to begin. So while I declined, I did tell him that maybe we should get to know each other better before going out; become friends. He flashed me a wide smile, and spent the rest of the lunch period with us. He is funny and nice, and we have a lot in common.
As I hop into Taylor's Jeep, she is gleeful and excited from lunch. "Oh my gosh!" she keeps repeating it, making me laugh.
"It's not that big of a deal."
"Uh, yeah! It is." She starts up the Jeep but doesn't move to go anywhere, except grab her phone. Her fingers are furiously flying over the screen of her phone.
"Jeez, are you writing a book?”
"You'll thank me later," she says, then put her phone in her bag.
"What are you doing?" I ask, nervous, and on edge.
"Nothing," she sings.
"Oh my gosh! What did you do?"
"Just shut up!"
"Tayloorrr!" I whine.
She pulls out of the school parking lot. "I'm taking you to the garage, right?"
"Yeah."
"Kay!" She says excitedly, and then turns up the radio preventing any further conversation. Not long after, she pulls into the lot of Victor's Garage. She gets out and that makes me curious. "What are you doing?" I ask her as I grab my bag from the floor of her Jeep.
"Gonna wait with you until Wes is done."
"Good, you can do my homework," I tell her while pulling open the front door, causing the bells to ring.
She laughs, "I have my own but nice try."
Mark comes from the break room,"Good, you’re here! The phone has been ringing off the hook."
"And have you answered it?" I ask, dropping my bag on the floor.
He scoffs. "No, that's your job."
His response makes me roll my eyes. "You do realize that while I'm at school, it is your job to answer the phone."
"They left messages," he says then returns to the break room.
"Why doesn't your dad hire another receptionist?" Tay asks.
I shrug. "Who knows? Because he has me? He doesn't want to pay another person who will probably ask for more money than what he pays me. And I'm part-time. Plus, he has this system in place and most people know how it works."
I go about checking the messages on the machine, returning calls, and writing in appointments. Taylor is very quiet while she does her homework.
It's almost five, and I'm surprised she's still sitting here until the front door bursts open, making both of us jump.
"You have a date?" Vance booms.
"What?" I look around. I didn't even hear his car pull up.
"Well, that's my cue to leave." Tay starts packing up her things.
"YOU!" I point to her.
"Seeyoutomorrowbye!," she yells and runs out the door.
"TAYLOR!" I scream.
"What the hell!?" Vance yells.
"What?" I ask, exasperated.
"Who is this kid?"
I sigh, "He's no one. I don't even know him."
He looks at me like I'm crazy. "And you're going out with him?" His voice has risen dramatically.
"No!" I yell. "I told him no for that very reason. Where the hell did you hear this at?"
"Who is he?" He ignores my question.
"Why? It doesn't matter."
"I want to talk with him."
"No, Vance. No!"
"You like him!" He accuses me.
"For real? What is wrong with you? I don't even know him."
"I'll find out who he is."
"Whatever. Is there something else you need to yell at me about? Or you just like being a crazy lunatic?”
He huffs and walks out into the garage bay not saying another word to me. I pick up the phone and immediately dial Taylor.
"I'm sorry," she blurts before I can even suck in a breath.
"What. The. Hell." I grit out.
"I told Wes, who must've told Vance…but I have a good reason."
"And what reason would that be?"
"I can't say."
"Taylor!"
"You'll just have to wait. Look I gotta go...love you!" The line goes dead before I can get a word in. What the hell just happened? I am so confused. "I need new friends and a new family," I mumble to myself.