Be yourself. Chat with Tina.

You muster enough willpower to squelch your lust for Tina, and you continue with normal conversation.

“So, tell me more about yourself. What’s your story? What’s your family like?” you ask.

“Well, I’m Tina,” she say with a giggle. “I’m 18, I’m from Potomac, Maryland.” You lift your glass to your lips as you listen. “My dad died when I was 7 years old.”

You finish your sip and put down your glass. Poor kid. You hold eye contact with Tina until she breaks it. She wears a smile that you assume she reflexively puts on in these kinds of situations. You slide your hand across the white tablecloth and place it on hers.

“We don’t have to talk about that.”

She tilts her head and smiles through the cringe. “I’m fine. It’s been years since he passed. The grieving is over.” You pat her hand and slide yours back. “I have a step-father. She married my mom shortly after my dad passed. He has... provide for my mom and I.”

“Well if she is as good looking as you, then he is a lucky guy.”

“Yeah”, she says as her head sinks. She props up her forehead on her palms. Something’s wrong.

You decide to change the subject, seeing as how Tina is clearly working through some issues. “What about college? Where are you going? What do you want to study?”

“I am taking a gap year.” She leans back in her seat. “I’ll be... staying home. I’ll volunteer and maybe pic up an internship. I love writing, so I might work on a manuscript or two before I head off to college.”

“That’s great, if that’s where your heart leads you,” you say. “I’m going to major in Political Science, but I’ve always enjoyed writing. You sound like you know way more about publishing than I do.”

“Well, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from me,” Tina says with a wink.

Dinner comes out quickly, and the check comes out quicker. You drive Tina home and drop her off just after sunset. The windows of her house are brightly lit, making you squint a bit. “Stop here” she says as you enter her driveway. A shadow of a man is perched outside the front door. “Thanks for everything” Tina says.

“It was fun. Don’t forget your secret bag,” you say with a silly grin.

Tina rolls her eyes. “Ugh, I almost forgot.” She takes the bag and gives you a nice, firm hug. “See ya.”

You give her a soft kiss on the forehead. “Bye Tina,” you say as she marches towards her door. She stomps past the ebony figure by the doorway. The shadow follows her in as you back out of the driveway.

It’s the usual when you get home. Some dinner with your boring family, repetitive video games, and bed. Tina’s on your mind. You want to hang out with her again if you can, but you don’t know how to go about it. Her boyfriend could get in the way, and Tina clearly has some family issues going on. You could try to start a relationship with her, or you could stay close friends.