so tardy

Ellie had this plan to hang out at the park before school just to see Kyle, but he never came, and she was late getting to school, but someone was driving by, and they stopped. It was Rex.

When he yelled out of his little pickup truck, she looked around for someone else he might be calling over. Then he pointed. It was her.

Ellie stared for a moment wondering what to do. She'd have to run to the school now. She should be running, but she wasn't. She was standing there looking at his pickup truck, possibly like an idiot.

"Get in," Rex said who got out of the truck and opened the door.

Ellie looked around. He wasn't a stranger. She could get in. Couldn't she? She got in.

Tunes she'd never heard of were blaring from his CD player. It sounded quirky and fun with electronics , and a thumping beat.

"What are you doing?" He smiled as if maybe she was going to be trouble.

"Nothing." She hugged her books as if why in the world would she go anywhere with her sister ex-boyfriend.

"You sure?"

"Positive." She nodded.

"I guess you have to be at school right now." He put the truck in drive, but he really wasn't going fast. She really needed for him to go faster to get there before the bell rang.

"Yes."

"You're not scared are you?" He squinted.

"No, of course not." Maybe that was a lie. It just felt wrong being in his pickup. Especially, when all she really wanted was to talk to Kyle. Sort this out. As it was, he was giving her the silent treatment. He wouldn't even take her messages online.

"OK, then," he nodded. "Good to know." Rex took a turn up High School Drive then. Ellie sighed with relief. She'd make it in time. Possibly.

"So would you be up for a movie, sometime?" He pulled up to the front entrance.

A lump so large grew in Ellie's throat that she thought she couldn't breathe. She was sure she couldn't say anything, but she couldn't say no. She just didn't have it in her to say, no. She gave him a very quiet, "Sure."

"I'll call you then."

She opened the door, hopped out, closed it so mechanical. "Thanks," she said, "I mean, for the ride."

"Thank you." He grinned. She thought he looked pretty happy with himself. All she felt was the numbness sinking in to her. As she turned then to walk into the school, there was Leia making this silly face at her, and pointing. "OH MY GOD! This is what you've been keeping from me! Rex! You know he's Nick's step-brother, don't you?"

Ellie didn't know. She kept shaking her head, no. Her nerves were shot for the day. She kept her eyes down. No way was she looking in Cory's direction even if he was waving at her.