I'm Only Me When I'm With You [part6]

A Story by christina

Sofiee gets to spend the day with Tanner at Universal Studios. She comes across a woman who says one simple thing that sends Sofiee's thoughts spinning in circles trying to find answers.

Sometime during our drive to Universal Studios, I fell asleep in the car. When I woke up, we were parked in the parking lot of a gas station. Mom was asleep in the front seat and Alex was messing with his phone. “What are we doing?” I asked Alex. “Dad went in to get some money out for us.” “Oh, are we almost there?” “Yea, he said we’re about 5 minutes away.” I pulled my phone out of my purse and checked it. I had an unread text from Tanner that said: I am almost there. J I sent him a message back saying: so are we J see you soon. Dad got back in the car and shook moms arm. She sat up straight and took the money dad was handing her. She turned around and handed me and Alex $20. I took it and put it in my wallet. “Don’t spend your money on that boy.” Mom said. “I didn’t plan on it.” I replied. “Well I’m just saying.” “Mom, if anything, he’d be the one to spend money on me like he did last night.” “Sofiee, you don’t have to raise your voice.” I looked out the window and ignored her. “The silent treatment? That’s very mature.” She said.

“We’re here.” Dad said, pulling into the parking lot. When he pulled into a parking spot, I opened the door, got out and started walking towards the front entrance. “Hey Sofiee!” I heard someone shout. I turned around as Tanner was walking towards me. “Hey there! I didn’t see you.” He reached out and hugged me. We walked to the entrance and waited for mom, dad and Alex to catch up. “Hello Tanner. It is nice to see you again.” Dad said. “It’s nice to see you sir. I hope me being here is okay with you all. I told Sofiee to make sure it was okay with you both.” Tanner said. “Can I have my ticket please?” I asked mom. She pulled the tickets out of her purse and handed one to me and Alex. “We’ll see you guys in there later.” I said. Tanner and I turned and walked into the park. We walked for a minute or two in silence. When we felt like we had gotten far away from my parents, I grabbed Tanner’s hand. “Why did we have to wait this long to hold hands?” He asked sweetly. “My mom doesn’t really care for you. I don’t know why, but she’s been rude to me all morning.” I explained. He looked at me with a look of confusion and said, “Oh, okay.” “It’s a long story. Basically she thinks you’re trying to ruin our family vacation. I told her I want to hang out with you, but she is just stubborn and bitter.” “Did you ask her if it was okay that I came with you today?” “No, I just told her when we were leaving that you’d be joining us.” He sighed, but didn’t respond.

“What should we do first?” I asked Tanner. “Let’s ride some rides.” He said. We walked through the park to a ride. The line was pretty long so we talked while waiting. “So did you sleep well?” He asked. “Yes I did. I went right to bed when I got in.” “That’s good. I’m just assuming, but you had a good time last night?” I smiled and said, “I had a wonderful time last night. I’m really glad I met you. I hope we can hang out a lot while I’m here.” Tanner pulled me into a hug and said, “I want to spend every single day that you’re here together, if that’s okay with you.” “Of course it’s okay with me. I don’t wanna spend every minute here attached to my parents’ side.” I replied.

“I’m sorry to intrude, but you two are just so adorable.” The woman standing in front of us said. I looked at Tanner, smiled and said, “Thank you.” She smiled and hugged the guy standing next to her. “My husband and I met here at Universal. We were in line for a ride and we started talking and it just clicked from there.” She explained. “That’s crazy awesome.” I said. “We just got married almost a year ago. It’s been great.” “I’m from Missouri and we met at the airport. We were on the same plane coming here.” I told her. “That’s cute. How long have you two been together?” she asked. “Well we aren’t actually together. We just met yesterday.” I said to her. “Wow. That must be what love at first sight is like.” I didn’t respond.

I stood silently for a few minutes, thinking about what the woman had said about “love at first sight” and if that was what I was experiencing with Tanner. I had never actually been in love so I don’t know what it feels like, but I what Tanner and I had was different from what I had felt with my first boyfriend Cody. With him, I felt like I always had to look pretty and act a certain way or he’d leave me and I didn’t want to be alone. With Tanner, I felt like I didn’t have to put on an act. I could be myself and I was completely comfortable. Yet again, I just met the kid yesterday. “Are you okay?” Tanner asked. I looked at him in confusion saying, “What?” He laughed and said, “You were like spacing out.” “Sorry, I was thinking.” “What about?” “Nothing.” We were escorted to two open seats on the ride. “Why can’t I know what you were thinking about?” Tanner asked. “Maybe I’ll tell you later.” I replied. “Fine.” We buckled up and waited for everyone to be seated so they could start the ride.

I remained silent even after the ride was over and we walked around the park. That lady had really got me to thinking. I couldn’t explain these feelings I was feeling towards Tanner and suddenly I wanted an explanation. I couldn’t concentrate on anything that we did for the next few hours. “Why are you being so quiet? Are you feeling okay?” Tanner asked. “I’m fine.” I responded. He stopped me and just stared at me as if I was an alien. “What are you doing?” I asked. “Did I do something wrong?” He asked in an upset tone. “No, you didn’t do anything. I just have a lot on my mind.” He turned around and walked away from me. I didn’t bother to follow him because he was obviously frustrated with me. I watched him walk to a bench and sit down. I started to walk in the opposite direction, but I didn’t want to make him angrier. I walked to the bench where he was sitting and I took a seat next to him. “I’m sorry. I have been thinking about some stuff and I don’t know what got into me. I guess I got caught up in it. I didn’t mean to make you mad.” I said apologetically. “I’m not mad. I’m just frustrated because you won’t talk to me and tell me what’s up or what you’re thinking about.” “I haven’t told you because I wanna sound like I have control over what I’m thinking about before I say something stupid. I don’t want you to think I’m a freak when I explain it.” I explained to him. “I wouldn’t think you’re a freak.” He replied. “Then just give me some time to process my thoughts and I’ll tell you when I’m ready.” I said. I leaned in and planted a kiss on Tanner’s cheek. He turned his head as I pulled away and pulled me into another kiss, this time on the lips.

At this point in time, I wasn’t thinking of anything except how great it was to finally feel happy about something. Caught up in the kiss, I had almost forgotten we were sitting on a bench at an amusement park.”Can you two get a room? This is a family place, not a hotel.” A man walking past the bench yelled. I looked at Tanner, then at the man. In sync, Tanner and I began to burst out into laughter. We got up off the bench and began walking as if the little spew we had gotten into earlier never even happened. “