I frown, looking up at him, "So, you carry on flirting with other girls?"
" I don't mean to, but I honestly like you very much."
" Yeah, sure."
" How do I convince you?" he asks exasperated.
" You can't, and I have to go," I say hurriedly.
I turn away from him, but he grasps me by my arm. I frown as I look up at him, and I am about to ask him to let me go when he kisses me.
The fleeting kiss earlier did nothing to move my world, but now I feel my feet lift off from the ground. I feel myself float up into the air, and when he moves away from me, I have to catch my breath.
" I truthfully do like you very much," he whispers close to my face.
Trying to look nonchalant, knowing when we get back to school, he will be his usual self again, I look toward the parking area and see my dad's car. "I have to go. My dad is waiting for me."
" Okay," he says.
When I walk through the gate, I hear him call, "Good night, Chrissie Taylor."
I smile, pleased, and then reprimand myself at the same time, while I walk away from him without looking back.
I get to my dad's car and after I open the passenger door, I allow myself to look back. He is still standing inside the gate, following me with his gaze. I wave goodbye and smile.
I sigh blissfully when I get into the car.
Worried dad looks at me. "How was it?"
" It was very nice. I enjoyed myself."
" I'm glad, Chrissie, that you are fitting in. You know there is a bigger purpose behind me wanting you to go to this school?"
" Yes, Dad. It is so I can have a brighter future, and don't worry, I won't disappoint you."
He smiles and then starts the car and we drive off. It is a distance to my suburb, and when we get there, it is almost the next day.
I am truthfully grateful he keeps driving me around, and I am standing by the stairs, on my way up to my room, when I turn to him, and say, "Thank you, for driving me around, I know…"
He dismisses me, saying, "Soon you will be grown up and then you will not need me anymore, so I would rather keep my little girl for a while longer."
He gives me a bear hug and letting me go, I say, "Good night, Dad. You know, of course, you are the best."
He laughs, "Stop your flattering and go to bed."