“What do we do now?”I asked, picking at my cuticles.
“Let’s figure that out some other time.Look at the stars.”
We stargazed for over an hour.I was happy I didn’t have to figure it out.I couldn’t lose one of my closest friends over a stupid teenage romance.
Darren cut off the rope and peddled us to the shore so I could get home and warm up, but James was nowhere to be seen.
“I’m sorry.He probably lost track of time,” I said.
“That’s okay.It happens.”
By the time James got there, my legs were completely frozen.He didn’t explain why he was late or apologize, so I helped put the bikes and the boat in the back and didn’t talk to him.I doubt he would’ve heard me, even if I spoke.The ride back was silent.Then he dropped us off at Darren’s house, and I went to the door while they unloaded the bikes.
James finally broke the silence and asked us, “Did you guys have fun tonight?”
“Yeah, I think we did,” Darren said.
“That’s good.Take care of her like you always have.See you in a bit, Penny,” James said before speeding out of their driveway toward my grandma’s cabin, leaving Darren and me alone again.
Darren met me inside on his sun porch.He handed me a bag with the portable 8-track inside—this 8-track was avocado green instead of orange.I couldn’t wait to use it.Although I loved my record player, it was bulky and stationary.I could use it anywhere: at the pool, while I worked in my garden, at my friend’s house, anywhere.I hugged him slightly too long, and he escorted me back to my cabin.The cabin lights glared and masked my view of the front porch.
I couldn’t believe I was falling for Darren.
“You better go in.I hope you had a good birthday,” he said.
“The best,” I assured him.
He started staggering to his house, and I couldn’t help turning around and dashing toward him.He stopped in the darkness, unsure of what I would do.We stood there for a few seconds before I kissed him on his cheek.
“Thanks,” Darren said, blushing.
I jogged back toward the steps.For the second time in my life, my birthday exceeded my expectations because of Darren, but I was really worried about James.
Chapter Nine
Fishing
