Forever

by Rachel Maldonado

  Meghan glanced at the photos over Willie's shoulder. “I think that's the style these days.”

  “Well, I was right. She isn't your type. Get your date over with quickly and meet Alex and me at the arcade or the movie theater. We can go to the late showing of something.”

  “Late showing of something? That sounds exciting already. Don't know what it might be, but it's something.”

  Willie laughed. “Let's get going. I still have to call Jasmine and figure out what I'm going to wear. I hope she doesn't already have a date.”

  Meghan was glad that she had already done her make-up, and put her hair up in a pony tail since she had been having trouble curling it. Willie shut down her computer and within minutes, they were out the door.

  Chapter Two

  The sun had already set but for the first time, Meghan was glad to have missed its beauty. It would've been awkward sharing a romantic moment with Jo viewing the sunset together considering that she didn't have the slightest interest in her. She wondered how she could be so naive to think that it was only a casual outing as friends. Willie was right. The invitation to view the stars should have tipped her off that Jo had a romantic interest in her. She had just pulled up in front of Jo's house and didn't have a chance to get out of the car or honk. Jo noticed she was there and hurried out the door. She opened the passenger door and hopped inside.

  “Hi. Thanks for picking me up. I'm sorry that my car broke down. Of all days that it could break down, the battery decides to die today.”

  “We could've canceled tonight,” offered Meghan, feeling herself trying to back pedal out of the night.

  “Oh, no. And miss our date?”

  Willie was right. Jo thought this was a date. Meghan sighed. She wasn't sure how to tell her that it wasn't a date. She just hoped to get through the night as friends. It was just a first date anyway. If her coworker asked her out again, she would simply say she was busy and try to avoid her at work.

  “Where would you like me to go?” asked Meghan, putting her car in drive.

  “I know a great place. Some of the locals call it Lookout Place.”

  “Lookout Place? Isn't that a make out spot?” asked Meghan with some trepidation.

  Jo laughed. “I guess it used to be. Now mostly star gazers go up there with telescopes. I'm sure there aren't too many people making out. There's not much privacy.”

  Meghan sighed with relief. “Oh, that's good.”

  “Where is it?”

  “It's about a twenty minute drive off of Highway Sixteen.”

  “Oh, I think I know where it is. I've driven past it. I've never stopped though.”

  “Yeah, you can't miss it. All of us star gazing folks go out there when there's going to be a comet or eclipse.”

  Meghan began her drive and was already starting to wonder if she should go home afterward to change into something else for her date with Alex later that night. Maybe something more feminine and possibly make another attempt to curl her hair. That's exactly what she was thinking when Jo interrupted her train of thought.

  “Here! Shouted Jo! Exit here!”

  Meghan swerved the car as she nearly missed the exit. She felt the car drive over some of the bumps on the road that marked the median.

  “Geezus! I'm sorry!” She shouted as she nearly hit a car that was exiting at a slower pace.

  “I'm sorry. That was my fault,” said Jo. “I should've warned you that the exit was coming up.”

  Meghan was embarrassed. “Oh, no. It was my fault. I don't know where my head is.” But the truth was, she knew exactly where her head was. Her mind was thinking about seeing Alex again. She recalled her smile, her eyes. There was something about the way Alex had looked at her. It gave her a tingling sensation all throughout her body. She had never felt that way before with a woman. She always felt confident and self assured. Alex almost made her feel bashful, anxious, and a bit awkward as if she had two left feet. Her attraction to her made her nervous.

  When they finally arrived at Lookout Place, Jo grabbed her bag and took out a small blanket and hand held telescope. They sat on the ground and watched the stars.

  “It's beautiful here,” remarked Meghan. She was glad not to be alone with Jo. The area was crowded with other star gazers.

  “Yeah, it is. I come here all the time. It used to be that people parked to make out because you can see the entire city skyline from here. At night, it really is gorgeous to see the city lights all sparkling, then little by little they start to go out as businesses close and people go to sleep. It's like watching the night come to an end.”

  “How did you discover it wasn't a make out place anymore?” asked Meghan curiously.

  “I've always been a star gazer, so I knew some people that knew some people. This location slowly got taken over by nerds from the nearby college wanting to see planets, constellations, comets, and so forth. I enjoy viewing the galaxy with like-minded people.”

  Jo introduced Meghan to a few of her star gazing friends and was able to see the stars with much larger telescopes. Even though she didn't have a romantic interest in Joanna whatsoever, she was glad she accepted her invitation to go out to see the stars with her. She was welcomed into her star gazing world and everyone was friendly and accepting. She was sure she would come back to the location one day, but probably not with Joanna.

  The time seemed to pass by quickly as the two young women were talking with Jo's friends, viewing stars, and watching the fireflies that had seemed to fly in out of nowhere to make their presence known.

  “I'm sorry the time has passed us by. We can see a different movie if you like?” offered Joanna.

  “Sure. That's fine. I wasn't in any hurry,” replied Meghan. She certainly didn't want to be rude. And she really was having a nice time. She could make time for a movie with Jo. Maybe a short movie. She hated to cut the date short and have to say she had made plans, so that she could run off to see Alex. How would it look if she told Jo she had another date? She couldn't bear to be a heart breaker. She could come up with an excuse as to why she wanted to leave, but she didn't want to lie and say she felt sick so she could go home. So many thoughts were racing through her mind. But, all in all, she felt that they were, at the very least, becoming friends. She couldn't just walk out on their date. She couldn't. She glanced down at her watch and hoped she would still have time to meet Willie at the arcade or at the movie theater's late showing.

  Meghan drove Jo to the theater by her house. Her stomach was growling and rumbling, since she hadn't eaten dinner. She stood in front of the ticket counter and viewed the listing of movies. Since they were running late, she just decided to pick the movie that was just about to start.

  “What do you want to see?” asked Jo.

  “I guess we can see King Kong,” offered Meghan.

  “King Kong?! That's what we were going to see! What a coincidence!” shouted a woman a few places behind her in the ticket line.

  Meghan was sure she recognized the voice and suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

  “Meghan! It's me, Willie! Turn around! I'm over here!”

  “I think your friend's calling you,” remarked Joanna.

  Meghan pressed her lips together in frustration. She took a deep breath before turning around. Sure enough, Willie was standing there with her friends Jasmine and Alex. Alex smiled warmly. It was that same incredibly gorgeous smile that Meghan remembered from the day she had met her a year before. She felt her heart sink. She was supposed to be going to the movies with Alex and instead was here in line with Joanna. She felt her face become hot and her hands and face begin to perspire.

  “Hi, Willie. What are you doing here?” questioned Meghan, knowing that Willie and Alex were not supposed to be at the theater until a later time.

  “Oh, well, Alex here wanted to get here early to buy our movie tickets, then we're going to head over to the Arcade Brigade for a couple of hours. Maybe we'll see you there?” Willie grinned knowing full well that she r
eally would see Meghan later.

  Meghan was so incredibly embarrassed. She wondered if Joanna knew that Willie and Alex were there because she was supposed to be with them. She also wondered what Alex must be thinking. This would be the second time she had seen her and she was on a date with another woman. Again! The first time she had met her she was on a date with her girlfriend Melanie, and now here she was again, hoping to meet the woman that could be the love of her life, and yet, she was on a date with Jo. She took a deep breath and exhaled, then she turned around when the woman at the ticket booth called out to her and Jo.

  “Next! What movie? And what time?” asked the ticket lady.

  Jo walked up to the counter and pulled out her credit card. “Two for King Kong. The showing that just started.”

  As soon as Meghan and Jo walked into the cinema, they headed straight toward the concession stands. Meghan felt relieved that Willie, Jasmine, and Alex were gone and on their way to the Arcade Brigade where she'd try to meet them later. She wondered how she was going to explain to Alex why she'd seen King Kong twice. She also wondered if Willie was telling an outrageous lie to cover-up the reason Meghan was at the theater with another woman. Jo was busy ordering popcorn and fountain drinks when Meghan's thoughts were interrupted by Willie who approached her and stood beside her.

  Willie cleared her throat to gain Meghan's attention. “Hey, there. That hot dog and drink special looks pretty good. I didn't see that on the menu board last week.”

  Meghan immediately felt her anxiety sky rocket through the ceiling. She thought that at any moment pieces of the roof were about to fall down like rain. “What are you doing here?! I thought you left to go to the arcade.” Meghan tried to whisper, but her surprise had been heard by Jo who turned around to see her talking to Willie.

  Willie shook her head. “Since you're already watching the movie with your friend, Alex thought it would be a good idea to come on in for this showing and watch the movie with you. You don't mind do you?”

  Meghan shifted from one foot to another nervously. “Um, it was Alex's idea?” She gulped down hard. She felt herself caught between a rock and a hard place. What was she to do!? Now she was on a date with two girls and neither of them knew the other was a date. Meghan felt sweat begin to form on her forehead and drip down the sides of her face. “I guess it's okay. We're all just friends, right?” She half smiled. She was clearly unsure as to whether she should smile or frown.

  Willie giggled. “Seeing how it was Alex's idea, I just couldn't say no and rush her out of here, could I?”

  “You could've done something!” shouted Meghan. The entire crowd of people in the theater lobby turned to look at her. “Pardon me,” she said trying to force a smile.

  “Is everything okay?” asked Jo as she walked up to them carrying a tray of popcorn, drinks, nachos, and a stack of napkins.

  “Yes, we're all okay. Aren't we, Willie?” Meghan glanced over at Willie who nodded. “How about a couple of hot dogs?” she asked Jo. Jo turned back around to order hot dogs.

  Willie grinned and spoke loudly, so Jo would know she was speaking to her. “I was just telling Meghan here that we all decided to watch the earlier showing of the movie, so it looks like we'll be coming in with you girls. If you don't mind, that is.”

  Jo turned back to look at Willie and shook her head. “No, we don't mind. The more the merrier. You can sit with us.”

  Meghan pressed her lips together in anguish. She was clearly pained that Jo invited them to sit with her. Now her only wish was that Alex didn't sit next to her while Jo was there. Maybe she would sit by Willie and Jasmine? She could only hope. Otherwise it would be awkward to have Alex sitting on one side of her while Jo sat on the other side. She gulped down hard again as her thoughts were racing in her mind. They walked together to hand over their tickets to the ticket taker. Meghan was scared to look at Alex. She thought if she avoided contact that maybe Alex wouldn't sit by her.

  When they entered the movie theater, Meghan was glad to feel the cold gust of air conditioned air against her clammy skin. Her nerves and anxiety were still making her perspire. Alex led the way into the theater and found a seat near the aisle in the back of the room. Meghan was relieved to see that Jasmine sat beside her and Willie sat in the third seat from the end, leaving Meghan to sit between Willie and Jo.

  Jo was glad to sit on the outer side of their group, since she didn't know Meghan's friends all too well. As much as Meghan was attracted to Alex, she was overjoyed that Jo and Alex were on opposite ends of the spectrum of seating arrangements. Now all she had to do was make it through the movie and then make an excuse to go home. She prayed Willie or anyone else wouldn't invite her to the Arcade Brigade after the feature because then her awkward date with two women would continue.

  Meghan and Jo shared popcorn, nachos, and ate hot dogs with lots of mustard, and once again, she found Jo to be charming and pleasant. She could tell she was respectful, chivalrous, and charming in her own way, but even though she knew love wasn't all about looks, Meghan knew she wasn't attracted to Jo. Not the way she had been to Alex. No, with Alex it had been different. There had been something in the air, something in the way she felt deep down inside, and something in her eyes, the way they seemed to delve down deep inside of her soul. With Alex there was more of a tenderness, a yearning. It was something much more than just pure physical attraction. It was as if she wanted to know everything about her. What she loved, who she admired, what were her hobbies, what was every single thing that made her who she was?

  Meghan sat quietly as the lights dimmed and ate her popcorn silently through the movie, she wondered why it seemed as if fate was always interfering with her spending time with and getting to know Alex. It was what she most wanted, but every time she saw her, there was something or someone keeping them apart. Only time would tell if they were meant to be in each other's lives.

  Chapter Three

  Meghan was glad when the movie ended. She could feel Alex watching her, and she began to feel nervous tension in her shoulders and neck. She massaged her neck with her left hand as they walked back into the movie theater lobby.

  “Are you okay?” pressed Jo, concerned.

  Meghan grinned. She hadn't wanted to be the center of attention. “Oh, I'm fine. I guess sitting too long made my neck hurt. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.”

  “Maybe it was all that star gazing,” offered Willie grinning. She made herself comfortable at a table near the concessions while the crowds of people exited the theater.

  Meghan's eyes opened wide, but she said nothing. She couldn't believe Willie said that! And in front of Alex, too!

  “Did someone say star gazing?” questioned Alex as she pulled up a chair and sat down beside Willie. “I've always wanted to learn about the stars and constellations.” She smiled at Meghan and watched her longingly as if she was asking her out on a date with her eyes. Perhaps Meghan was reading too much into the way Alex was looking at her or the way she said it, but she still felt there was something more there between them. The chemistry seemed to be just right.

  Jasmine who had been the quiet, pretty trophy on Willie's arm most of the night finally spoke, “Jo is quite the star enthusiast is what I hear. Willie tells me that she and Meghan were star gazing earlier.”

  Willie shot Jasmine a glare, but then forced a smile. “Now, Jas. It's not polite to spread rumors or tell others what people do, is it?”

  “But you're the one that told me that...” Jasmine's voice was cut short as Willie pulled Jasmine toward her and began to kiss her to keep her quiet. Jasmine sat sideways in Willie's lap as they kissed.

  Alex, realizing that Jo and Meghan were dating, turned red with embarrassment and glanced down at the ground. It was like watching her hopes and dreams leap from her state of consciousness and fade away into the night.

  “I guess I should get going.” Alex's voice and demeanor were different now. She hardly wanted to look Meghan in the eyes. She appeared saddened.
“Thanks for inviting me, Will. We'll do it again sometime.”

  Willie knew how much it meant for Meghan to finally meet Alex, but there was nothing she could say at the moment to make her stay. “What? Are you sure you have to go? It's not even midnight yet.”

  “Yeah, I have to work an early shift tomorrow.”

  “I thought you said you were off?” asked Willie puzzled, putting Alex on the spot.

  “I usually am, but I forgot I picked up a shift for someone,” said Alex lying. “Goodnight, ladies.” Alex left the lobby and stepped out into the parking lot. Meghan felt her heart sink down into her stomach. She wished she could run after her and try to explain what happened. She didn't want Alex to go home. She wished she could spend some time alone with her, and maybe once she explained that it was all a big misunderstanding, they could laugh about it. But in a matter of minutes, Alex was gone. She walked to her Jeep and drove away into the night. Meghan was left wondering if she would ever see her again.

  Chapter Four

  After Alex left, Meghan wasn't in the mood to hang out anymore. She beckoned Jo that she wanted to go home.

  “Are you sure you want to go home already?” questioned Jo.

  “Yeah, I'm tired. I had a great time.” She felt her stomach turning and wondered if she'd eaten too much junk food. “I'm not feeling very well.”

  “I can drive you home. I know it's your car, but I'd be happy to drive.”

  “No, that's okay. I think I will ask Willie to take me home. I can leave my car here and she can drop us off.”

  “I don't mind. Really.”

  Meghan turned her attention to Willie hoping for a helping hand, but Willie's hands and everything else seemed to still be busy entertaining Jasmine. Meghan sighed.

  “Okay, since Willie's got her hands full, I guess you can take me home.”

  Jo grinned. “It was nice meeting you both,” she said to Willie and Jasmine.