Chaper Five: I'll Drive

                                    

                                          
  Chapter Five I’ll Drive
                          

                          
“This is around the time when I would gallantly offer to take you home. And then I’d walk you to your doorstep and the moon would shine brightly, illuminating your face, and I wouldn’t be able to help myself and I’d lean forward and-”
                          

                          
“Except I drove myself, and you, here.” I interrupt.
                          

                          
“That’s the only flaw in my gallant offer.” Colton says.
                          

                          
I smile. We’re on Colton’s front porch. I’m sitting on the railing, my back against one of the pillars. Colton has his knees slightly bent, leaning his arms against the railing.
                          

                          
The sky is an inky black behind us; the moon a half-circle among a sea of stars.
                          

                          
“Okay, I came up with a great plan.” Colton says after a moment.
                          

                          
“Yes?”
                          

                          
“I drive you home in your car.”
                          

                          
I wait for the rest of his plan. When he remains quiet, I frown. “Uh, but then what? You walk home? I need my car for school tomorrow.”
                          

                          
“That’s the best part!” Colton beams like a five-year-old on Christmas morning. “I drive your car home and then pick you up for school tomorrow!”
                          

                          
“Um, no.” My car is my baby. No one except me drives it.
                          

                          
“Come on!” Colton gets on his knees and winds his fingers together, as if he’s going to start praying. “I’m so tired of mooching rides off my friends! This way, I get a for sure ride to school and get to drive a beautiful girl home!”
                          

                          
I feel my face flush at his compliment but remain firm in my opinion of his ‘plan’. “Nope.”
                          

                          
“Please? I’ll carry your books to class for the rest of the week!” He offers pleadingly.
                          

                          
“But you’d enjoy that.” I point out.
                          

                          
“True.” Colton frowns slightly, as if deep in thought. “Okay, I’ll carry your books to class and bring you a coffee.”
                          

                          
I can feel my stance wavering; I just can’t resist the caffeinated goodness that is coffee.
                          

                          
“Fine. But make sure you get me a non-fat car-” Colton interrupts my order.
                          

                          
“Non-fat caramel latte with extra whip and made with the syrup, not the sauce. Yadda-yadda I know.” He rolls his eyes and smiles slightly.
                          

                          
“Right.”
                          

                          
Sometimes I worry I’m being stalked.
                          

                          
“Let’s roll.” Colton stands and something jingles in his right hand. After a moment I realize it’s my keys.