Elizabeth

Elizabeth gathered her belongings and left the store through the employee exit. Before walking into the parking lot, she kicked off the heels and decided to go barefoot then put up with the frustration of balancing in the high heels.

It was a hot summer afternoon and the pavement burnt the soles of her feet. She ran toward her red Honda Accord, a graduation present from her parents, and jumped into the driver's seat. Still feeling slightly embarrassed about everything that had gone on in Paul's office, she looked at herself in the rear-view mirror. Could she really go on a date with Sam tonight after all that had transpired?

She shook off the guilt and wiped the tears forming in her eyes. She was an adult now and it was really not that big of a deal. She put the key into the ignition and started the car. It roared to life. She made the decision to leave all this behind and just pretend it never happened. There was no reason to carry all this emotion over to her date with Sam. She put the car in drive and pulled out of the crowded parking lot.

Her home was only a few miles away, but it seemed like it took an eternity to get there. The thoughts flashed in the back of her mind and she continually tried to push them away. She cranked up the volume on the radio, hoping to drown out her internal noise. An upbeat Lady Gaga song blared through her speakers and the lyrics quietly seeped from her mouth.

Sam didn't need to know...she wouldn't tell him anything...just forget about it. Paul and Sam will never be in the same room together, so there is no way he would have to find out.

Ten minutes later she pulled into her driveway and noted that neither of her parents were home. They had decided to spend the weekend in the mountains and Elizabeth had the house all to herself. Maybe after the date, she and Sam could...no. Sam was the son of a preacher and a really good guy. There is no way he would spend the night, let alone on a Saturday. He had to be up bright and early for his father's Sunday morning service.

Elizabeth opened the garage door and went upstairs. Her mother was an interior designer, so everything was spotless and arranged in a neat pattern...except for her room of course. Elizabeth stepped inside her bedroom and had to dodge piles of laundry, bottles of makeup, a couple of magazines, and several sheets of thrown away paper that had obviously not made it into the overflowing waste basket next to her desk. She plopped onto her unmade bed and hugged the pillow.

It was only three-thirty and she had plenty of time before Sam came around to pick her up.