I'm Only Me When I'm With You [part4]

A Story by christina

Sofiee and Tanner go on an "adventure" and make their first date memorable.

I pulled a chair up next to Tanner as he began to play. I didn’t pay much attention to his playing as I was busy thinking about how incredible this kid was. It didn’t feel like we were practically complete strangers. I found him incredibly attractive just as his kind, sweet, humorous self, but then it was added that he and I share a common interest and music and not to mention, he’s a drummer. Tanner had everything I looked for in a guy. Unfortunately, we couldn’t be together even if we wanted. That long-distance stuff never works out. As soon as he quit playing, he looked at me and said, “Your turn.” I smiled and traded him places. “Just relax and start playing.” “How am I gonna play if you haven’t taught me anything?” I asked jokingly. He laughed and said, “Just go with it.” I began to hit the drums, acting as if I had the slightest clue what I was doing. “Not too bad for your first attempt.” He said. “Well, I suppose I learned from the best.” I joked. A crashing sound from outside of the room followed by yelling, “Who’s here?” interrupted our fun. “Let’s go!” Tanner said, jumping from his chair and grabbing me hand. We ran to the opposite side of the room and out a different set of doors. We ran down the hallway and to the same door hidden in the back of the school that we had come in through. “Who was that?” I asked when we finally reached the street. “It sounded like the assistant principal. He lives down the street and I guess he creepishly keeps an eye on the school from his house.” I laughed and said, “That was quite an adventure!” “So, this is a date now?” Tanner asked. “Is the night over?” I asked. “I don’t know; is it?” “You tell me drummer boy.” “I got one more thing for us to do.” He said as he led me down the street.

“This is where we are going?” I asked Tanner. “Yes. Have you ever been?” He asked. “No, but how is this an adventure?” “Well you have never been here and I’m taking you somewhere you’ve never been. That’s what I call an adventure.” He replied. We entered the doors of Mickey’s Soda Fountain where we were seated in a booth near the entrance. “I recommend ice cream.” He said jokingly. We ordered ice cream and talked for a little bit about random stuff. “So, how long are you here for?” Tanner asked me. “We’re staying until next Sunday.” I said. “Awesome!” We sat in silence for a little bit. I looked at my phone; it was 9:47pm. “Crap. I told my parents we’d only be gone for an hour and it’s going on 2. I should call them.” I dialed mom’s number. She didn’t answer. I tried calling dad. He didn’t answer. “They must still be at the movies.” I said. “I can take you back to your hotel if you want. I don’t want them to get mad at you because you’re out late.” Tanner offered. “Would you really?” I asked. “Of course. When she comes back with the bill, we can go.” I pulled my wallet out of my purse and dug out a ten dollar bill. I handed it to Tanner to pay for my ice cream. “What’s this for?” He asked. “For my ice cream. Just take it.” He took my $10 and $10 of his own and paid for our ice cream.

The walk to Tanner’s car was long and quiet. We had to take a dark alley to get to the parking garage where he parked. There was a group of guys just standing around talking in the alley. They watched us walk towards them. Tanner grabbed my hand a led me straight to the parking garage. They just stared while we walked past them. “Why would anyone wanna hang out in a dark alley at night?” I whispered. “They’re just looking to make trouble with people that walk through here.” He replied. I didn’t pay them any attention. I followed him through the parking garage and to his car. He opened the passenger door for me and I got in. “Do you know how to get back to your hotel?” he asked. “I think so.” I said jokingly. “So, is this a date yet?” he asked. “Why are you so eager to know if this is a date?” I shot back at him. “I don’t know. I guess I like you and I just wanted you to have a good first night in LA.” I smiled wide, but didn’t respond. “You don’t like me; I know, but I just wanted to show you a good time.” Tanner said shyly. “Who says I don’t like you?” I asked. He smiled and replied, “No one.”

Tanner pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and parked in the back of the building close to our room. I got out of the car, as did Tanner. He walked me to the door of the hotel. “I hope you had a good time. I hope to see you again soon.” He said. “I did. Thank you. This was a great first date.” I replied. “I have one more question.” He said quietly. “Can I have your number?” I giggled and said, “Yes, you can.” I pulled a pen out of my purse and wrote my number on Tanner’s arm. “Just to make sure it won’t wipe off on your steering wheel.” I said. He leaned in and kissed me. I don’t know if I was more shocked at the fact that he kissed me or at the fact that I wasn’t expecting it though it seemed like we were in a movie scene that I had seen a million times. “I’ll text you later.” He said, as he turned and walked to his car. “Bye Tanner.” I said. I opened the door of the hotel and went up to our room.