by Lauren Wood
“Oh yes it is. I kind of forgot about it.” Sally stated. She had not forgotten, but the fact was it made her sad. Another year in her hometown, now she was no longer 19, but the big 20.
“I would never forget your birthday. This is the day my angel was born into the world.” He smiled at her.
Sally shook her head; it was going to start early today. Sometimes he would at least wait for a few hours and then start being sappy.
“Johnny, I told you were just friends.” Sally said to him, her face serious.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t tell you how I feel.” Johnny said. But she could see his face fall.
“Look, I’m sorry Johnny. You’re such a great guy and one day you’ll find a great girl too. It’s just not me.” Sally added.
“You are a great girl. But I know you don’t have to explain it to me again. I’m not your type. I get it.” Johnny said, his voice holding an edge of frustration and anger.
Sally hesitated to say anything else. Johnny had never really seemed angry before. He had always been the guy who was calm and wouldn’t raise his voice to anyone. He was very close though to it, or so she thought.
“So what do you have planned for the day?” He asked her.
She took a deep breath, thankful that he was moving on from the other topic. “I don’t know. I think Mary and Susan want to go out later on. But I didn’t plan anything at all.” Sally answered.
“Why not, this day is supposed to be one to celebrate.” Johnny said excitedly.
“I’m just not feeling it. They told me last night my hours were going to be cut back.” Sally stated.
“Oh no, that means you won’t be able to save up for your trip?” Johnny asked.
“You don’t have to sound so excited about it. I know you and several people don’t think I should go. But even if I have to take a second job, I’ll save up and be out of here before another year is gone.” Sally pulled her shoulders back in a stance of stubbornness.
“Hmm, well just keep in mind that if you go to Paris, you’ll not have friends and family around to help you out. There is no one there to help you.” Johnny commented.
“Now you sound like Mary, she says the same thing to me.” Sally said. “But you know what; I’m old enough to make my own decisions now. So when I have the money, I’m getting my ticket and leaving.” Sally stated.
Johnny looked down at the ground.
“I’m sorry Johnny; it really hasn’t been a good couple of days for me. I don’t mean to take it out on you. So what are you doing today?” Sally said, trying to change the subject once more.
“Well I was wondering if you would like to go out to lunch or something.” He asked.
“Like a date you mean?” Sally replied. “I don’t know I really don’t want you to get the wrong idea.” She added.
“No not like a date, just two friends. I swear you’ve made it abundantly clear that you aren’t interested in more.” Johnny stated.
“Well I guess we can go then.” Sally answered.
“Great, hamburgers sound okay?” He asked.
Sally felt more relaxed, at least he hadn’t said Red Lobster or somewhere fancy. If had suggested that she might have declined and back out of the meal. It would feel far too much like a date.
“From Lenny’s, I love those?” She questioned.
“Yeah, and there cheese fries, those are so good!” Johnny laughed.
“Let’s go!” Sally said and headed towards the door.
Chapter 2
Johnny was so happy that she had agreed to go along with him. He had tried many times in the past, but she had always turned him down. He wasn’t sure why she had agreed today, but he took it as a good sign.
Then in his mind he heard her words again, the same one’s he’d heard so many times before. “We’re just friends Johnny; I don’t see you that way. You’re not my type anyway.” She had said several times.
“Why, what’s wrong with me?” He had asked her once.
He had watched her face as she had tried to think of the best way to say her next words. Johnny had wanted to stop her from saying them, however, there was too much of him that needed to know why.
“I like the bad boys, you know the ones who aren’t into computer games and well.” She had stopped and thought more.
Johnny had stopped her from staying anymore; he didn’t need to know anymore. He wasn’t a bad boy, and couldn’t image ever fitting her idea of the perfect guy. “Its fine you don’t have to say anymore.” He had told her that night. But those words had hurt him deeply.
However, now she was sitting in his car and going to lunch with him. Maybe it wasn’t a date, but it was more than he had before today! He could feel his heart beating wildly as the excitement of this was realized by his whole body.
He took a deep breath and smelled her scent, she always smelled like cherry blossoms. Johnny wished that she would see him differently. He couldn’t help it that he loved to play games online. The fact was no one looked at him when he was behind the screen of a computer.
He wasn’t ugly, but he wasn’t like a lot of guys either. His looks, at least he considered them to be average. His dark hair was medium length, and his eyes were green. His mother always told him he was a really good looking young man, but he knew she was prejudice in her opinion.
Johnny looked at Sally out of the corner of his eyes. She was a blonde haired, blue eyed beauty. Though she was kind of short, she made up for that in her spunkiness. When they had been in high school, she had been the head of the cheerleading squad. He had to watch as she had dated the quarterback of the team for several years.
Often he wondered why they broke up, but Sally had never given him the reason. No matter how much he would push her, she would remain closed lipped to why her and Chip had gone their opposite ways after high school.
Though there were people who said that Chip had been upset about Sally wanting to go to Paris. Johnny could understand why Chip would feel that way, he was the same way. He loved her and didn’t want her to leave, but he also didn’t want to watch her date someone else in town either.
Until he could figure out a way for her to like him, he wanted to keep her close by as much as possible. However, there was another part of him that wanted to see her go. That part was really small however; the part that wanted to squeeze and hold her tight couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving.
“So why do you want to go to Paris so badly?” Johnny asked her. He already knew her answer, he had asked this question many times in the past already.
“Silly you know why, but I’ll tell you again anyway!” She began. “I want to study in Paris so badly, all that art and beauty. The people there are so amazing, so worldly! Plus I know my fashion designs will be such much better.” Sally said.
“How do you know they are worldly?” Johnny asked.
“They must be they grew up in another location. I mean, not like they’ve traveled all over, but some may have. I just want to meet some people from another culture and get out of Nebraska. Haven’t you ever been bored to death here? Oh maybe not, you play those games and can escape into a little fantasy world. Maybe I should take them up until I get the money up to leave!” Sally said.
Johnny smiled, he had tried to get her into gaming for years, but she had always bulked at the idea. “Well if you want to play one, I can get you in my guild and we can power level you up quickly.” He started to say, getting excited about the idea of being able to talk about the game to her every day.
“I’m just kidding; I would rather see something real and in person. Plus I would most likely not be able to earn any money, if I get into some of these games like you, that is.” Sally remarked.
“Hey I’m out of my room more often than I used to be, and look we are going out right now.” Johnny laughed.
“Just as friends though.” Sally reminded him.
“The point is I’m not in front of my computer playing right now!” He added.
“I guess this is true. But how could you ever be a good boyfriend if all you do is play games?” Sally asked.
“If I had the right girl I would make sure she always knew that I wanted to be with her, and fit the game in too.” He explained. “I promise you that you would never feel like the game came before you, and if I had too I would stop playing it.” Johnny added.
“Oh I’m not saying me silly. I mean some other girl. You are a good looking guy after all, if you went out more, you’d be with a girl by now.” Sally stated.
“I don’t just want any girl though, so why would I go out and find one. You know the perfect one for me lives right next door to me and has for years now.” Johnny said and looked at her.
“Can we please not do this again? I mean I understand and all that, but can’t we just give it a break for now?” Sally asked.
“Sure, I’m sorry I don’t want to ruin this for you.” Johnny said, and stayed quite for a bit.
He knew in his heart she would do just about anything to leave and go to Paris, but he could still want her. He didn’t think that would ever change in his life, this also made him very sad. Unless somehow he could figure out a way that he would see her differently. This was a task he would have to work on before she went off though.
Johnny wasn’t dumb he knew that once Sally was gone the chances of her ever coming back where small. He had sat many nights in his room playing his games and wondering how he could win her over. As of yet he couldn’t think of any way to do it as of yet.
If he hadn’t started this stupid talk about being her boyfriend again in the car though, maybe he could have gotten closer today. He still had hopes that this could happen though. If he gave up hope Johnny knew the rest of his life would be over. He knew that no one but her would ever be perfect for him.
Chapter 3
Sally sat eating her hamburger, the grease dripped down her chin. She quickly wiped it off her chin with the napkin.
“You missed a spot.” Johnny said and pointed down at corner of her chin.
She laughed and wiped it off. “Thank you!”
“I love these cheese fries.” He said and picked up another huge handful.
“Where do you put all that food? That’s your second order of fries and you’ve already finished that huge hamburger.” Sally stared at him amazed.
“What can I say I must have a tape worm?” He said.
“I think you might want to get it checked out!” She laughed.
For the past 10 years they had grown up beside one another he had always been skinny. But she had never seen him eat this much food.
“I wish I could eat that much and not gain anything. If I ate as much as you though, I would weigh 200 pounds easy! You’re so lucky.” Sally said.
“I guess so. Honestly, I’ve never thought about it.” He admitted.
“Excuse me would you like any dessert today?” The waiter came up and asked them.
“I want the brownie caramel.” Johnny said. “It’s her birthday today, what does she get?” He asked the waiter.
“Oh happy birthday to you.” The waiter smiled at her. “You can have any dessert you want on the house.” He told her.
Sally was full, but loved sweets, so she looked over the menu. “I’ll have the brownie caramel too.” She said and put down the menu.
She looked at Johnny and said, “I’ll have to go on a diet after just this meal!”
“You look fine.” Johnny said. “If you are happy then that should be good enough for anyone who knows you. Well as long as you don’t get too big!” He added and laughed.
“I’m going to go to Paris and come home and weigh 300 pounds.” Sally laughed.
Johnny didn’t say anything, but for the first time he had heard her say something about not staying away forever. He smiled and laughed though at her comment. “I seriously doubt that will ever happen!” He finally said when he had stopped laughing enough.
The desserts were served and they both ate heartily. “This is so good.” Sally stated.
“Yeah I love this as much as I do the cheese fries!” He agreed.
Sally finished her dessert and almost picked up the page to lick the plate. She faked like she was going to do it, and instead stopped. She watched as Johnny picked up his plate and licked it clean! “It’s the best part! Go ahead; I’ve seen plenty of people do it.”
She looked around, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. “Do you want it?” She handed him the plate. He grabbed it and licked it clean too. “You’re crazy Johnny Young do you know that?” She asked him.
“Not so much. Well maybe just a bit, but can you not tell everyone? I’m trying to keep it on the down low.” He laughed.
Sally laughed along with him and shook her head. “Well I guess we are all crazy in our own way!”
“Are you ready to go?” Johnny asked her.
“Yes. Thank you so much, I really had a great time.” Sally stated.
“Good, I’m glad. I hoped you feel better, you seemed really down earlier, with the hours being cut.” Johnny said.
“Yeah, I was down. But honestly I feel much better now. Thank you, this was a good idea, I’m glad you asked.” Sally said.
“Anytime you want to do something just let me know, I’m up for it.” Johnny said.
“Well only if there isn’t some sort of war on your game!” Sally laughed.
“Depending on the night and the war, maybe not! No I’m just kidding, anytime.” Johnny laughed.
“We’ll see.” Sally didn’t want to commit to anything and give him the wrong idea. Though she had to admit it had been a really fun time with him. If only he was more her type, she might actually take him up on the offer of doing more things.
“Okay, well you know where I live.” Johnny said.
They just chatted about old friends the rest of the way home. Sally tried to avoid any more talk about the two of them. She was already confused that she could have so much fun with him.
Sure she could remember many times in the past when they would play outside. Well at least until he really got more into gaming, then she barely saw Johnny. It had been okay though because by that time she was really into more popular activities then playing with her neighbors outside.
“Hey remember when we built that fort in the backyard?” Sally asked him.
“You mean when we were like 10? It was one of the first things I did with you after we moved in next door. Of course I remember it that was so much fun.” Johnny added.
“Yeah it was we should build another fort one day. Perhaps if I don’t get to ever go to Paris I can live in it!” Sally said. She had meant it as a joke, but saying the words made her worried that she would never make it out of town.
“Oh don’t say that one day you’ll be able to go to Paris.” Johnny said.
She looked at him. “That’s really nice of you Johnny. I know you are like most other people and would rather I just get this wild part of me out and stay in town.” She said.
“Really, I would just like to see you be happy. If going to Paris is what does it, then I want what you want.” Johnny admitted.
“Hmm, thanks it’s nice to know that someone else see’s it another way besides me.” Sally stated.
“So I guess I’ll go home. I hope you enjoyed your lunch. Oh I forgot that I had a gift for you.” He said and looked at his watch. “Can I bring it over later; I have something I have to do now.” He asked.
“Oh it’s a war isn’t it? Sure you can, I’ll be going out around 7 tonight, if you can’t make it before than just come later.” Sally answered.
“Great, sorry I forgot it. Hey hope you had fun.” He said and ran off.
Sally shook her head at him as he went. “That game is his life!” She went inside to get ready for later when she would go out with her friends. She was sure her parents would have some sort of celebration for her too; she had no idea what though.
She hadn’t been in the mood earlier, but the tim
e with Johnny had made her forget about most of her worries. Sally knew that her plan to go to Paris was a bit further away than it had been yesterday. However, she was serious about finding another job to help save money once more. She needed to get out of this town and grow.
Sally walked in the door and her mom called out. “Dear can you come here; we want to give you your present.”
She went to the other room and walked into a room filled with people. Even Johnny was there. He must have walked out of the back of his house and through their joint backyards and came back inside.
“What is this?” Sally asked as she looked at everyone else in the room.
