When We Love

Johnathan says bye to me, after school on the day of the start of the midterm break as well as the day of the party at Shaun's house. He adds promising, "See you tonight, Chrissie Taylor."

I smile at him, and as always my traitorous heart, which just does not seem to get the messages my brain is sending it relating the important, ever-present Johnathan situation, jumps frenziedly.

I get dressed nervously, wearing jeans and a nice shirt, it is after all only a house party, and I do not want it to look as if I had gone to too much trouble.

At the entrance to the Golf Estate, my dad waits with me for Anne, and I stand outside the car so she can see me when she arrives.

I see her walking toward me from the direction of the gate. She seems excited, an emotion I have never before noticed or realized she possessed. I smile friendly at her and then I lean into the car and kiss my dad on his cheek, goodbye.

" I don't like this," he whispers. "I don't even know where this house is."

" I'll be fine dad, just be here at eleven. I'll be waiting."

He sighs and says, "Okay then."

" I'll be all right, don't worry," I convince him, but I can see he is not convinced. He greets Anne friendly and then he starts the car and drives off.

Anne and I walk to the entrance gates of the estate, and then to a golf cart.

" Do you also live here?" I ask her.

" Yes, about four houses from Shaun."

" Oh."

" I think, at least forty percent of the kids in our school live here," she says pensively, and then adds, "You will be the only one at the party tonight, who does not live in this estate."

" Oh. Why invite me then?" I ask as friendly as I possibly can.

" Chrissie, I don't know if you haven't noticed yet, but I don't have any real friends. However, I feel a sort of kinship with you, and that is why I asked Shaun to invite you after I received my invitation."

I have also felt before as if I enjoy her company-at times. She could be nicer, but then she just has one of those personalities.

She continues, "I feel as if I can tell you anything. For instance, I told you I have a crush on Vincent. My dad would kill me if I even looked twice at a black boy, so it is not something I would admit to anyone. I felt a connection with you as if I could tell you anything. You understand what I am trying to say?"