Accidental Romance

by Melanie Brown

  Oh great. This was rapidly turning into a date. Technically, wasn’t that what Chad saved me from with Oscar? I couldn’t believe I was standing at the snack bar, dressed as a girl and a twenty year old boy was paying my way. I tried, but couldn’t suppress the thought wondering if Nate would be upset with me going on a date.

  As we walked away from the snack bar, Chad handed me my drink and popcorn. I said, “Thank you, Chad. It’s very nice of you.” I grinned and said, “Do you always date girls five minutes after you meet them?”

  Chad laughed, his eyes twinkling, “What can I say? I’m an opportunist.”

  The lights went down just as we found a row of seats where we could all sit together. Chad of course sat next to me with Megan on the other side of him. This must have been pure heaven for Chad, getting to sit with a covey of cute chicks.

  During the previews, Chad leaned close to me and whispered in my ear, “I’m really glad I met you. You seem very nice.”

  I smiled at him and whispered back, “Thanks. You’re nice too.” He’d probably wish me bodily harm if he only knew what I had securely taped under my panties.

  The movie was actually fun. It had plenty of action sandwiched between romantic interludes. The girls kept giving me knowing looks whenever Nathan was on the screen. During a love scene, Steph elbowed me in the ribs and uttered, “Woo hoo!” I could feel my face warm with a blush that I was thankful couldn’t be seen in the darkness of the theater.

  After a rather heated love scene around the middle of the movie, Chad yawned, stretched and placed his arm behind my neck. I looked over at his hand dangling on my shoulder and frowned. I carefully and without any fuss, picked up his hand and moved his arm back over to his lap. I smiled, but wagged my finger at him and he sheepishly grinned back.

  * * *

  “That was awesome!” announced Chad as we left the theater. He kept brushing his hand against mine. “I hear Nathan Adams does most of his own stunts.”

  Steph closed her eyes and hugged herself as she said, “Oh, and at the end when he kissed Laura McIntire while standing in that dinghy in the middle of the South Pacific with the sunset behind them. That was so romantic!”She glanced over at me and continued, “It must be heaven to be kissed by Nathan like that!” Again my cheeks turned red.

  Amber grinned, “Yeah, I can only dream what it’s like to be kissed by Nathan. How about you, Tex?”

  Frowning, I said, “I bet it’s totally hot.”

  Chad chuckled and shook his head, “Girls!”

  Without anyone saying so, we all just started heading to the interior of the mall. Chad managed to stand and walk close to me. I guess I should be flattered, and I’m sure most girls would love to have a guy like Chad interested in them. But in a cruel and twisted world, I was already dating a guy I didn’t want to be dating. Chad seemed to be a nice guy, very respectful, and I didn’t want to hurt him, either by him finding out who I really was, or by him learning Nathan Adams was taking me to the Academy Awards next Sunday.

  Which reminded me. I need a dress. If just a month ago, someone had told me that I was going to have to worry about what dress to wear to the Academy Awards with my movie star date for the night, and that I also had a ‘boy’ problem with dating two guys, I would have laughed at them. Or slugged them.

  While perusing the music store, my phone signaled a text message had arrived. I checked my cell phone and saw that the message was from Nate. He said I was on my own for dinner as he was going to go bar hopping with some of his friends and that he’d be late.

  As we left the music store, Chad said as he pulled out his cell phone to check the time, “Hey, the mall closes at six today. That’s… oh wow… in about fifteen minutes. Anybody want to go to Taco Bell?”

  Samantha said, “Sheesh, Chad. Doesn’t your mother feed you?”

  Chad frowned and said, “My folks won’t be back until late. They took another trip to Vegas this weekend, so I’m on my own.”

  Samantha said, “Well, I need to get home. Thanks anyway, though.”

  Amber said, “Yeah, me too.” Megan and Jenny said much the same thing. I kind of felt sorry for Chad since he was going to be by himself. I wondered what Nathan had in the fridge.

  Steph said, “I’ll go with you. My parents are out tonight until at least nine. What about you, Tex?”

  Oh great. Steph was my ride. Kind of left me with no choice. With a shrug I said, “Sure.”

  Chad’s face brightened as he said, “Thanks, guys. I hate eating by myself.”

  Steph said, “Hey, no prob. We’ll meet you there.”

  * * *

  “He likes you,” said Steph as she took the service road instead of the freeway heading towards Taco Bell.

  “Who?” I asked, looking out the car door window.

  “Who? Chad, doofus.” Steph ran through a red light and said, “Seems to me, you’re sweet on him too.”

  Frowning, I said, “Steph. Let’s clear this up right now. I am not ‘sweet’ on Chad. He’s a nice guy and all and I’m just being polite. But dammit Steph, despite kissing Nathan and getting caught up in the moment, I’m really not into dudes.”

  Steph sighed and said, “Okay. Chad is cute though he is younger than Nathan. But I get it. You’re not interested in guys. But if you’re not interested, would you please stop attracting all of them?”

  “Girl, it’s not my fault!” I said exasperated. “I certainly don’t try to.”

  Steph grinned, “Well, just knock it off, okay?”

  We drove in silence for a few minutes, with the radio and road noise the only sounds. I had to say, I was feeling confused. I had never worn girls’ clothes before this weekend, except for a couple of times in my early teens on Halloween. But last night, I was completely taken in. Even though I was embarrassed wearing that short evening dress and all made up, I felt natural. I was a desired woman, not some freakishly effeminate guy with a baby face and light facial hair. And dare I admit it, even to myself that I enjoyed being close to Nate, being pretty and… feeling his lips against mine?

  Even back in school, while not really that unusual, guys would hold doors for me. If I dropped my books in the hall, a guy or two would stoop down and help me pick them up. The real tough guys would act protective of me against the bullies. There were a couple of dozen other things that taken individually didn’t seem like much, but when you connected the dots, it all seemed to add up to me being a girl hidden in plain sight. Should I reject that idea, or embrace it?

  As Steph navigated her car into the Taco Bell parking lot, she commented, “Looks like Chad beat us here.”

  Chad was sitting at a table when we walked in. He stood up and walked towards us. “I was waiting until you guys got here before ordering anything.”

  Steph said, “Afraid we wouldn’t show up?”

  Chad smirked, “Something like that.” He nodded towards the cashier and said, “Come on. I’m buying.”

  “Chad,” I said with a slight whine in my voice, “I can get…”

  Raising his hand he said, “I’m paying for both of you, so don’t think of it as a date, okay?”

  I looked at Steph and she nodded, so I said, “Sure Chad. Thank you.”

  Chad smiled and said, “I’m glad that’s settled. I’m starving.”

  We got our food and sat down at the same table Chad had vacated when Steph and I had arrived. We ate in silence for a few moments.

  Chad looked up from the table and still chewing said, “Thanks again for coming with me. Like I said, I hate eating alone. It seems my parents are always out of town on the weekends. Even if I could afford my own apartment, I’d probably still go home for dinner.”

  “They don’t ask you to go with them?” I asked innocently.

  Chad shook his head, “Naw. They usually go to Vegas or some other casino. No point in me going since I’m not twenty-one yet.” He paused for a few moments. “Dad didn’t even show up for my last game. The game we won state.” He shook his head a
nd picked up his second burrito.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “That seems crazy he wouldn’t go to that.”

  “Oh, I know, right?” Steph said. “I mean, that’s so sad really.”

  Chad frowned and said, “Well, Dad was wining and dining a client. I guess that’s more important.”

  I thought I’d say something upbeat before this conversation sank any further, “Well, I would have gone to your last game, if I’d been here. And I don’t even like football.”

  I saw Steph mouth the word, “Careful.”

  Chad looked up at me and smiled, and said, “Really? You would have come see me play my last game? That would have been great. Too bad you didn’t live here then.” He took another mouthful and said while chewing, “I bet you could have been a cheerleader. Were you a cheerleader at your old school?”

  I smiled, amused at the thought of me being a cheerleader, “No. And no, I didn’t bother to try out either.”

  Steph said, “Too bad. I bet you would have been great.” She gave me a quick wink.

  Chad grew silent again, his eyes unfocused. Finally, he looked up at me and said, “I know I just met you today, but you seem really nice. I was just wondering… I mean, if it’s okay and all, I was wondering if I could have your phone number?”

  How could things get any more bizarre? To now have a cute boy, five years younger than me, crushing on me because he thinks I’m an eighteen year old or so girl just seems to be pushing the limits. I looked over at Steph and she just gave me an odd smile and took another bite of her taco.

  “Well, I…” I started to say.

  Steph interrupted and said, “Chad, she is dating someone, you know.”

  Chad frowned and said, “How would I know?” He looked back at me and said, “Is it serious? Are you exclusive? I’m dating around. I’m not seeing anyone exclusively. Steph? Do you have a pen?”

  “I think so,” said Steph as she picked up her purse. She pulled a pen out and handed it to Chad and said, “Here you go.”

  “Thanks,” mumbled Chad as he took the pen and began scribbling on his receipt. He slid the receipt across the table to me and said, “Here’s my number.”

  I took the piece of paper and said, “Thanks.” I felt uncomfortable as I put his phone number away in my purse.

  Chad looked a little uncomfortable himself having just revealed he liked someone and got nowhere with it. He said, “So, do I know this guy? I’m just curious. What grade is he in?”

  I smiled, “Will you stop? Like me, he’s out of school, Chad. You don’t know him, but I’d bet you probably have seen him.”

  Chad grunted a laugh as he fumbled around with the paper his burrito was wrapped in. He looked up at me and said, “Your boyfriend is one lucky bastard. And you can tell him I said that, too.” Dammit, I blushed again.

  Steph’s cell phone rang. She answered it and talked on it for a few moments. She then hung up and turned to us and said, “That was my dad. He wants me home like right now. I don’t have time to run you home, Amber.”

  Chad shrugged, “I can take her home.”

  Steph looked over at Chad, then back to me and said, “Is that okay with you?”

  Chad said, “Hey, I don’t bite. Hard.”

  I nodded and said, “Sure. I understand about parents. So yeah, it’s okay.”

  Looking sheepish, Steph said, “Okay. Sorry about this. See ya.” She got up from the table and through the windows of Taco Bell, Chad and I watched her get in her car.

  Chad said, “All right! I thought she’d never leave!”

  I gave him a quizzical look and he raised his arms defensively. “I was kidding, okay?”

  Chad then leaned forward on the table, his hands clasped. “So, what brings a pretty girl like you to the City of Angels? Are you an actor? A model? A singer?” He then shrugged his shoulders.

  I thought I’d just tell a half truth. I said, “I wanted to see someplace other than Abilene Texas. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s a college town with a big Air Force base and just a couple of hours from Dallas. But you know, I have lived there my whole life.”

  “Not trying to sound all melodramatic,” said Chad. “But this town tends to chew up nice girls like you. Seriously, Amber. You’re like the sweetest girl I’ve ever met.”

  I felt myself blushing again. “Thank you for saying that. You’re very nice too. I think any girl would be proud to be your girlfriend.” I was struggling internally against my growing girlness. But all I could think of, was how cute Chad was.

  Chad laughed humorlessly. He said, “I wish other girls thought that. It seems the only girls I find interesting are either underage or taken. And you’re both.” He grinned at he finished speaking.

  I wadded up and threw my burrito wrapper at him. “Cut it out! I’m not under age!”

  “Prove it,” said Chad with a grin. “Let’s see your drivers’ license.”

  My Texas drivers’ license had the name and photo of Bobby, not Amber. “I don’t have a license,” I lied.

  “You don’t have a car here? In L.A.?” said Chad with disbelief. “That sucks!”

  Frowning, I said, “Tell me about it! I have to take a bus, a cab or ride with Steph to get anywhere.”

  “Don’t forget your boyfriend,” said Chad. Actually, since I started being Nate’s girl, he hasn’t driven me anywhere himself.

  I said, “Oh yes. Let’s not forget him!”

  Chad stood up, not bothering to pick up his trash from the table and announced, “I guess we should go.”

  I gathered up his, Steph’s and my trash and tossed it in the trash can and followed Chad outside to his car. He had a new Dodge Challenger Hellcat. All seven hundred horses. It wasn’t exactly a Bugatti, but I still thought it was a really cool car. It was definitely a car to pick up girls with.

  Chad gallantly unlocked and opened the passenger door for me and closed it after I slid inside. Getting in and out of cars while wearing a short skirt was quite a new challenge for me.

  When he got behind the steering wheel, Chad asked, “Where do I take you?”

  I really didn’t want him to know I lived at Nate’s house, even though I’m sure he wouldn’t know who owned it. I just said, “It’s kinda far, so just take me to the nearest bus terminal.”

  Chad frowned, “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be alright.” I said smiling weakly.

  “If you say so,” said Chad as he started the car.

  We drove a few minutes back to the mall parking lot. Chad drove across the lot to park behind a bus stop. He jumped out and ran around to the passenger side of the car to open the door for me.

  “Such a gentleman!” I said as he helped me step out of the car.

  He grinned and said, “Chad Fah-quah at your service, me-lady.”

  “Your last name is Farquar?” I asked as he let go of my hand.

  He shook his head and smiled, “Of course not. My last name is Jeremy.”

  The bus stop had a covered bench with a row of bushes running along the sidewalk behind the bench.

  Chad glanced at the sign and said, “The bus won’t be here for another twenty minutes. I’ll stay here with you until it arrives.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” I said.

  “Oh yes I do,” said Chad. “I want you to be safe. Want to wait in the car and listen to the radio?”

  I said, “Sure.”

  We got back into his car and for a minute or two; Chad just stared at the steering wheel. Finally, he turned to me and said, “I hope you don’t mind me being so blunt, but Amber, I have to tell you, you are the prettiest, the nicest, most wonderful girl I’ve ever met. There’s a quality to you that I just can’t put a finger on.”

  I thought he’d better not be putting his finger on anything. I said, “Thanks, but I can’t believe I’m the prettiest girl you know. I’m sure you know lots of girls.” Even in the harsh parking lot lights glaring through the windshield, you could mak
e out the well defined contour of his muscles under his shirt. There was no denying Chad was a very cute guy.

  Chad frowned and said, “I know a few. None of them are like you. I’m not joking. You’re a very special girl.”

  He leaned in closer to me and said, “Your eyes are so blue. Your nose is so delicate. And your lips… are so … soft.” He closed his eyes and leaned in more and before I knew it, his lips were pressing against mine.

  I surprised myself by not pulling away. Instead, I leaned into his kiss. His kiss was different from Nathan’s. Chad’s kiss was softer, more sensual and in many ways more sexy. In the back of my mind, a little voice screamed ‘You’re not a girl!’ A different voice shouted ‘Shut up!’

  As our lips lingered together, his tongue slid through my parted lips and into my mouth. I sucked his tongue inside and kissed him passionately. I felt all giddy and girlie inside and most of all, I felt… desired. I never dated much and was pretty much the loner in my parents’ basement playing computer games. Intellectually, I knew I was a guy kissing a guy and I probably should stop. Emotionally, I was too much excited about someone wanting to kiss me and who thought I was the prettiest girl he’d ever met. For an emotionally starved person such as myself, it was just too much to resist.

  We kissed and hugged and giggled and panted and nibbled each other’s earlobes and necks until the bus finally arrived. By then, we had managed to fog over the windows. One last kiss and I left Chad’s car and got onto the bus. I was on emotional overload and I spent the ride to my stop staring blankly out the window.

  * * *

  The walk from the bus stop to Nate’s house was fairly short and even though it was quite late, I felt safe enough in this particular neighborhood. I pulled my cell phone from my purse and punched in Steph’s number.

  “Hey Steph,” I said after she answered the phone. “I hope everything is okay. You sounded like your dad wasn’t very happy.”

  “Typical parent thing,” Steph said. “Dad’s never liked Chad and thought I should be home anyway.”

  “He doesn’t like Chad?” I asked in a surprised voice. “How could you not like Chad? He’s a really sweet guy.”