Free Learning to Fly by Misha Elliott Page B

that pathetic.” I look at him nervously, wondering if I should have kept that information to myself.
    “Your other boyfriends didn’t know how to treat a lady, then,” he says letting his anger show. 
    “I’ve never had a boyfriend before; you’re my first.” Alex pulls over to the side of the road and cuts the engine. 
    “Let me get this straight; you’ve never had a boyfriend before now?  Are those boys where you’re from blind?” I can see recognition in his eyes, as he understands the full meaning of what I just said. 
    “I wish I had known; I would have made your first kiss more memorable.”  I put my finger to his lips to quiet him.  I grab his collar and pull him closer, kissing him with all that I have. When I move back, I notice his eyes are still closed. Touchdown!  “That was the most amazing kiss.  I promise to make sure you know every day, how amazing I think you are.”
    I feel tears coming, what a girl thing to do. “Let’s get you home,” he says, briefly pressing his lips to mine once more.
    We get to my driveway entirely too soon.  Being with Alex makes me feel happy and I don’t want it end.  “Do you want to come in?” I hope I don’t appear too eager to him. 
    “No thanks.” I feel like a kid holding a bright red balloon that someone just popped.  “Don’t give me that face, babe. I don’t want to come in because I want to pick you up for a date later.  Would you like that?”  Instead of just nodding once like a normal person, I nod my head yes, repeatedly.  “Alright, I will be back at 5:00 to pick you up for dinner and a movie.”
    Wow, my real first date; I run into the house so exhilarated.  I don’t know what to do, I’ve gone out with groups of friends or tagged along with Heidi and Matt, but this is different and I can’t mess this up. Before I figure out what to wear, I need a plan of attack for this unruly mess on my head and makeup for my face.  I try to remember what MJ said about colors.
    I run into Angie and Larry’s bedroom to search for my favorite blouse and find it hanging in their closet.  In the bathroom, I pull out Angie’s makeup bag and take it back to my room. I sit on the floor, dumping all the contents out of bag:  cover up, foundation, blush, eyeliner, lipstick, mascara, and pressed powder.
    It should be a simple thing to figure out, but there are so many colors and shades.  I try a few combinations, but somehow instead of looking smooth and flawless I look more like a clown or drag queen.  I wash my face so many times that it is red and blotchy.  The clock on my nightstand flashes 4:30; I only have half an hour left.  It isn’t fair; this is something every girl learns from her mother; just another way Angie had failed me. My phone chirps with a text from Alex; his words make me smile. The phone chirps again and I read the last part of his message.
    A: Sophie, it’s you that gave my heart a song to sing.
    Come fly with me xoxo
    I hold the phone to my chest. That boy knows what to say to make me swoon. I want tonight to be perfect but I can’t do it on my own.  I heard the garage earlier so I know she’s home now. 
    There is a loud combination of barks, shrieks, and laughter coming from the kitchen.  Duke is in the sink getting a bath and seems to be giving them one in return. I stop at the doorway to watch them laughing together.  “I love you, Larry,” my mom says and he kisses her.  I feel angry at the ease in which she tells her new husband she loves him and is unable to say it to her daughter. 
    “Hey, guys.”  I walk out and simply state what I need.  “Alex is coming to take me out for dinner and a movie and I could really use your help.” I swallow hard, waiting for her to say something to make things worse. 
    “Of course honey, I’ll be right there.” She wipes her soapy hands off on the towel and smiles as she lays it on the counter.
    “Oh my, what happened here?” Her reaction is very calm