On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 46

“After you, my lady,” James opened the car door for me.

I have to say riding into school in a Ferrari is the only way to say you’re riding in style. I can’t even begin to admire this beauty.

I’m not as fond of vehicles as my brother, James, and Charles are, but boy, could I appreciate the value of this vehicle.

It was sleek-looking but held features I could have only dreamt of riding. It was a matte black car with flame details on the back. His cousin must have been hella rich to afford and maintain this beast.

“You look impressed,” he remarked as I stepped inside.

“I am impressed.”

“Good.”

“I can’t believe you managed to bag this bad boy for the night though.”

“I come from a pretty generous family,” he replies, smirking. “But I got to say, I am wildly jealous of Evan for finding this before me.”

“This came from a thrift shop or something?” I asked, confused.

“Uhh, something like that.”

I didn’t reply to his answer and focused my attention on the drive to school. It usually took ten to fifteen minutes. A Ferrari is rumored to be a fast car, but I begin to doubt that as I notice James purposely slowing down the drive. It is a peaceful drive, though. I turned my attention to the Sycamore tree just beyond my eyesight. It was a couple of turns before our neighborhood. I have a lot of memories of that tree. Just behind it was the same park playground I had met James for the first time. He was a rather rowdy kid who pushed me whenever he had the chance.

We were barely five years old at the time. I’d play the swing. Mom would push me. Sometimes, Leo, my other brother, would do it. But James, the precious monster that he was, would beg to have a turn at pushing me. He claimed we were friends and wanted to play with me. He’d push me, all right. Just the wrong way though. I’d fall off the swing. Most times, I’d end up crying. I was a crybaby then. I’m not sure about that now. I hated him with a burning rage. Until we crossed paths again about three years ago.

He was a lot nicer in the cafeteria. A place full of food. Yet, I neither had my lunch money on me nor my lunch box. He offered me an apple, and that’s basically all it took. Just kindness from the right person.

We have become friends since.

The Sycamore tree has held a symbolized meaning for me since then. It’s just fascinating to me how change can happen very rapidly but also very slowly. That Sycamore tree has held leaves and its form since we played in kindergarten. It might have grown an inch or two. A branch, here and there. But essentially, it was the same tree that I’d look up to whenever I was on the swing and I’d swing forward. Its leaves reminded me of new hope. Which wasn’t befitting since almost the entire tree was swallowed whole by the snow. What’s left visible were the branches that made a swishing sound whenever a car too fast sped past.

It’s funny how you can go through a lot of different relationships with the same person. It’s kind of wild to me how James, who pushed me a lot in kindergarten, befriends me in middle school and dates me in high school. It would, however, be the most unironic joke in the universe if we were to break up, become enemies again, and resort to being strangers.

I shudder physically at the thought. James notices this and reaches for his denim jacket on the backseat.

“It is a bit chilly in the middle of December, Lottie. I wonder why you didn’t bring a jacket.”

He hands me his jacket and I awkwardly put on the stiff denim material. It was unnaturally huge on me. He wasn’t very far from my physique, but he was a fond wearer of oversized clothing, which explains why I could wrap myself in the jacket’s one sleeve.

“Angels don’t feel chilly, Tucker,” I retorted.

“Let’s see what the angel feels once the cold rises up to their heads, alright?” He chuckles.

I stay silent, reminiscing about my relationship with James. I didn’t have the luxury of time to analyze and, possibly, overthink our relationship since dating him. It all happened in a whirlwind. But right now, I have caught my breath.

James must not have remembered our time at the park playground. He wasn’t very attentive, anyway. Just really disruptive and a brat. I wanted to ask him if he remembered. But my saliva would run to the back of my throat whenever I tried. It was an embarrassing time for me, and I wasn’t sure I’d want to reminisce about that part of my life with him.

“What’s going on with that pretty little head?” He turned to me with a small smile.

I smile back, fully appreciating the view I have in my eyes right now. If I could picture tonight’s perfect moment, it would be this. His eyes glimmered under the soft shine of the moon. I drowned in his captive eyes right that instant and it wouldn’t bother me one bit.

The winter snow brought an early evening for us all. It was as dark as midnight even though it was minutes past six. Charles drove Alex’s car together with his date, B, and her date. They drove before us and had a significant lead considering James’ slow driving.

It was a little unironic how unhurried he drove with only me in the passenger seat, compared to the hundreds of times he almost crashed the car with all of us in it. Although, maybe it was the moment that made it special.

“Charlotte?” He calls my attention and I snap out of my daze.

“Um, nothing. Just curious why you’re driving rather leisurely.”

“I wanted to appreciate the drive with you more,” he whispered. His low voice was chilling. I feel my throat go as dry as the Sahara. “Don’t you think the evening lovely? The snow is calm. The tiny snowflakes look so cute. And you’re here with me.”

“Where else would I be?” I chuckled. “But yes, the evening is very lovely. I don’t know how you controlled the weather and planned the evening with the snow and the snowflakes.”

I loved seeing his smile. I loved making him laugh. It was music to my ears. It was soothing to the soul.

“What the hell are you smiling about?”

“I don’t know. I never expected this.”

“Really? In the furthest back of your mind? You didn’t expect this? Us? I’ve been hinting at a crush on you as far as I can remember, Charlotte. Kinda hurts you never saw it,” He laughs and rolls his eyes at me.

“What the hell do you mean, James Edward Tucker? The number of girls you’ve flirted with in front of me has been so many, even I’ve lost count. You can’t expect me to hope you like me back.”

“So, you liked me before, then?”

I blushed as his eyes pierced right through me.

“Maybe. Not long. But you have been a good friend and person ever since. I just didn’t think you’d like me back the same way.”

“You look cute when you’re flushed and angry, Lottie.”

“Oh, stop it. So, who do you think is going to get drunk tonight?” I segued into what we expected into the night.

It isn’t an unusual occurrence in our town for underage drinking. Teens as young as fourteen took a sip of alcohol, depending on where you were situated. We were a lucky group, however, that life had not taken us down that path yet. I’ve seen how destructive it can be. I’d hate to follow in my brother’s footsteps.

“What do you mean?” He looked genuinely blanked.

“I thought you guys had planned something. A drink or something. I don’t know. You have the resources.”

“Resources?”

“You’re a charming basketball player. I’m sure you can haggle your way with the seniors.”

“Yes, Charlotte. But I don’t want to,” He pauses and looks at me with a tugged smile. “Yet. We’re freshmen. We shouldn’t be drinking this early, anyway.”

“How old do you think we should start drinking?”

I am fully aware of how stupid my questions were starting to become. This was an odd habit of mine. I spit out random opinions, thoughts, or queries whenever I’m nervous.

“I don’t know. Junior or senior year maybe. Late sophomore year should be the earliest. But why? Why are you in a hurry to drink?”

I fidgeted with the keychain attached to his denim jacket, whispering an incoherent ‘I don’t know' because I truly didn’t.

“We’re almost here. I hope you don’t ask the others for a gram of drugs,” He jokes, but I don’t laugh. It wasn’t funny, nor pleasing.

The winter formal was taking place on the school’s football field that has been tented. It was the only place wide enough to host a couple of hundred students. It has been a school tradition since my parents’ time at Maybeck High. It was an open event for students at all year levels to socialize. Outsiders were even welcome to watch and participate. Although you had to show your ID to get a plate of food and drinks.

The closer we got to the venue, however, the more my nerves beat faster. I still couldn’t get over the whole ‘I’m in a relationship’ thing with James. It was almost too good to be true, and I hated to admit it.

“We’re here. Care to hold my hand before we go out, my lady?” James offers his hand after parking the car by the adjacent sidewalk to the football field entrance.

I take his hand in mine and he kisses a gentle kiss on it. His lips were cold on my already cold hands.

I assume he’s nervous and already, I felt slightly better. At least I wasn’t alone in my impending anxiety.

“Whichever way the night goes, good or bad, I want you to know how affectionate I feel for you. I hope you see some good in me and discard my old ways. I never wanted to be some Casanova, Lottie. I just had trouble expressing my feelings. I hope you don’t hold my past against me.”

His expression was solemn and straight. I wondered if he truly felt I was capable of thinking bad things about him. I adored this man. I’d never dream of doing such things.

But before I could tell him all my thoughts on the matter, he had already gotten out of the car and speedily opened the door for me. Like a valet.

How sweet.