The homeroom bell rang. I waited for the hallways to clear and slipped through the front doors. Shannie sped by as I walked down Bainbridge Street. I dropped my head hoping she won't recognize me. The GTI downshifted. I glanced over my shoulder, Shannie was turning around.
"Where you going?" she asked driving at my pace. Traffic piled up behind the GTI.
"Nowhere," I mumbled.
Behind her, Drivers honked horns. "Hop in," Shannie motioned with her billowing mane. "I'm going there myself."
"Gnaw, I'll walk."
"I insist; get in!" she said. More car horns.
"You're pissing people off," I smiled.
"You better get it," Shannie reasoned.
"No. I'll walk."
"COMEON!" Someone yelled. Another car drove around our roadblock. "Asshole," its driver yelled.
"Turd Blossom," Shannie retorted. "Just James get in, you're ruining their day." I crossed Bainbridge and jumped in. "Nothing personal, let's really piss him off." She leaned across the seat and kissed me on my lips.
"FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, GET A ROOM!" the driver screamed. More horns blared. We kissed until we heard a car door slam. The driver was out of his car coming towards us. Shannie threw Saphix into gear and sped away.
"You're a nut," I laughed, gazing at her profile. As we scampered along tree lined streets sunlight fell through budding leaves and the open moon roof, showering us in golden light drops. When Shannie shifted gears, I noticed a ring on her finger. Shannie rarely wore jewelry, she never wore rings. I assumed the worst.
"You excited?"
"About?" I grumbled.
She peered at me over oval sunglasses. "Geezus Pete you forgot!"
"Forgot what?"
"Next Weekend, first jump course?" I stared at the ring as she slid the GTI into fifth gear. Shannie's hair danced in the wind, adventurous strands waltzed through the moon roof. "You know, jumping, Stan's ashes."
"I have a lot on my mind!" I peered at the passing countryside. A lone tractor tilled a field. I wished I was the farmer - his worries couldn't be as bad as mine, I thought.
"Like what?" Shannie chided.
"Who is he?" I asked, ignoring Shannie's question.
"Who is what?" She asked.
"Your boyfriend. Who is he?" I sat up.
"Huh?" She asked slowing for a stop sign.
"You heard me," I repeated.
"Are you serious?" she quipped - accelerating the GTI.