Away Read Online Free Page B

school during the winter semester, and then you told me you’d start in the summer, and summer’s almost here.” She takes a deep breath. “I just want to make sure you’re not going to keep putting it off.”
    “I don’t know what I want.” I hate this question. I hate the constant fear of not knowing, the constant wondering and debating of what I needed to do with my life. The last thing I needed was my girlfriend to rag on me about it, too.
    “Just go with me for a few classes next fall,” she begs me. “At least it’s a start.”
    “I just want to love you. Isn’t that enough for now?” I snap quickly at her, and she falls silent. I look away from her, past all the fields and trees and out towards the road, wishing I could be on it now. Behind the wheel of a car and in the garage working on them was the only place I felt like life made sense. The rest of it, and its decisions and commitments, was too much to deal with sometimes. But then I thought of Rosemary and what she was sacrificing. Sometimes I felt guilty and wondered if she was going to community college just because she wanted to be near me. But there’d only be one more year of that, and then she’d have to go to a university. I didn’t know what we were going to do then.
    I know she’s right. I have to pick something soon, whether I’m ready or not. I feel like the answer’s right in front of me. But what is it?
    We hit gravel again, the road back to Rosemary’s house. I see her walking gingerly on the rocks and I ask, “Feet hurt?”
    “Just a bit. I’ve had a couple of rough shifts at the diner lately,” she tells me. Like I don’t know. Rosemary practically runs that restaurant. Full time student and waitress. I couldn’t describe how proud I was of her. Those sandals she was wearing wasn’t doing her any favors when it came to walking on the jagged rocks. “Here,” I say, and I bend down. She jumps on my back and I piggyback her to her house, not letting her down until we’re at her door. By this time, it’s starting to get dark.
    “You can come in,” Rosemary says. “Unless you have to be home?”
    “When do I ever have to be home?” I ask. I follow her through the neat kitchen, past the perfectly vacuumed carpets and well kept furniture. It was nice to be in a place where people actually kept up on the cleaning for once. I’m surprised everything looks so nice after the cookout, but I figure after what happened, people must’ve stayed to help clean up. Peter and Donna have already went to bed, probably trying to get rest from a long day. I follow Rosemary up to her bedroom and she turns on the TV, popping in a movie. I go to lay down on her bed and she follows me, collapsing on the mattress. I open my arms and hold her close, laughing at the film. Rose doesn’t laugh as much though, and this is her favorite movie. I wonder if she’s just tired or if something’s bothering her.
    By the time the movie’s finished it’s nearing ten at night. Rosemary turns off the TV and turns towards me, snuggling into my chest. “You should probably go,” Rosemary says. “I don’t want you falling asleep on the way home.”
    “I’ll leave in a minute,” I say, yawning. “I don’t want to go yet.”
    She smiles up at me, her eyes glittering in the darkness. “You’re my everything, you know that?”
    “Same here,” I say, and I give her a soft kiss, which she returns affectionately. We continue, her lips so soft against mine, so sweet. I’ve never tasted anything in this world better. I’d do anything for this girl. I put a hand on her cheek and stroke her hair back, the kisses starting off light, and then deeper, more passionate.
    She pulls away tenderly, running her fingers across my lips, my bangs. “I love you,” she says happily.
    I put my hand on her back and pull her closer so I can feel her heart beat against mine, our heads touching. I kiss her forehead. “I love you too.” 
     
    Chapter Two
    Early