Page 189 of Collided

My lips open in shock, and I grip her arm. “Marie!”

Elliot chuckles and raises his arms in surrender. “It’sjusta date.”

“I hope you remember that.” Marie glares at him.

I’m frozen in place by the switch in her attitude. This is the first time I’m witnessing this side of her and God, she is scary when she’s acting protective.

Leaning down to my ear she whispers, “Text me when you get home, or I’ll drive here to make sure you’re okay.”

I only manage to give her a nod.

Dragging her bags out of the door, I say goodbye to her as she glares at Elliot before driving away.

Once she’s gone, he turns to me. “So, that’s your best friend? She’s scary.”

“I’m sorry—”

“I don’t mind.”

We walk to his car. I pause, thinking he’ll open the door for me, but he strides around to the driver’s seat without looking back at me.

My heart sinks. Heath always opens the door for me.

NO!

I can’t think about him when I’m on a date with another guy.

Just go with it.

When I get inside he’s already started the car.

A country song plays, as he slowly maneuvers the streets to the diner he plans on taking me to.

Silence fills the car, and we don’t talk at all which makes me really nervous.

Usually, I don’t mind the silence but when I’m with someone—except for Heath—it drives me crazy. I’m thinking of all the topics I should start, that can turn into long conversations and won’t end no matter how we talk over it—okay that’s crazy but the point is to not be silent.

Fortunately, we soon arrive at a local restaurant that’s well-known in Bellmare. People frequently eat here because it serves the best food and has a beautiful setting. The moment we walk inside, I notice the lights that are wrapped around the ceiling and the small origami figures hanging from the ceiling in different colors and shapes. The tables have white cloth, with a vase of fresh flowers sitting on top. It’s romantic and a cute place, especially for a date.

Elliot chooses the table by the window, and we sit across from each other. A young waitress asks for our order, and I freeze, much like I do every time. Luckily, Elliot notices and asks for pasta and water.

The waiter goes away, and he turns to me. “So, you don’t like to order?”

“It makes me nervous.”

“That’s odd.” He laughs a little as if it’s silly.

I swallow. Again, then again. Still, I feel the pinch of his remark right in my stomach.

“Do you have any plans for college?” I change the topic to get over the hurt before I start overthinking about it like I do with most things.

He shakes his head. “I’ll be helping my family business.” Leaning over the table, he says, “What about you? What are your plans?”

My mother’s words come to me and a burden the size of a mountain rests over my chest.

“Med school. I’m going to be a doctor.” My tone is detached and empty, even to my ears. Is this what I become once I get there? Someone who’s lost themselves?

Elliot leans back. “That’s a long road.”

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