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Jokingly bouncing up and down, I smile. “Do it again! Do it again!”
“Shut up, Holden!” They both shout, causing me to puff out my lower lip.
A few minutes later, they’re finally finished. Bree gets up and goes i
nto the bathroom to change. I use the time to check the camera bag and make sure I’m not forgetting anything. Surprisingly enough, Kayleigh comes toward me.
“I have the notebook and pen. Do you have everything we need for the video camera?”
“Yup.” I answer. “Just double checking.”
“Are both batteries charged?”
I roll my eyes. Why does she always think I’m incompetent? “Yes, Kayleigh. I think I know better than to bring dead batteries.”
“Holden, please don’t be rude. Not today. Let’s just get through this project without fighting with each other.”
Her words shock me and when my eyes meet hers, I can’t help but melt a little inside. She’s being sincere and, for once, not completely hating my guts – or at least hiding the fact that she does.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I tell her honestly.
She inhales a small, practically inaudible, gasp. The moment is killed quickly though as my girlfriend comes out of the bathroom. I look away and cough to cover up what just happened. Bree comes over to both of us.
“Ready to go?”
We both nod, and just as Kayleigh reaches for a sweatshirt, Bree stops her. She offers her one of her jackets, a white jean one. The moment she puts it on, I have to physically refrain from groaning. Today is going to be so much more difficult with her looking like that.
THE DINER IS CROWDED with patrons having lunch. Bree fakes a smile as we sit down at the table. After Kayleigh went inside to set up, Brianna and I got into an argument about why I won’t let her touch my phone. It’s not that I’m hiding anything, per say. There isn’t another girl I’m texting. It’s just that I’ve been talking to Brandon all morning about spending the day with Kayleigh, and I can’t risk her seeing that.
I give Kay the signal to start recording and the show begins. I must admit; Bree’s acting skills aren’t bad. She plays the part of a verbally abused girlfriend rather well. However, I can’t help but feel bad about how I speak to her. I know it’s all fake, but that doesn’t change the fact that some women really go through this. While I may not be the best boyfriend, I would never be like any of the men who do that kind of stuff.
On the drive back to the dorms, Brianna seems distant. I can’t be sure if it’s because of our argument prior to going into the diner or because of the things I had to say to her. I quietly assure her that it was all fake, but she still feels miles away.
Once she gets out of the car, Kayleigh climbs into the front seat. I take off for the grocery store, trying to keep my excitement in check. This is the part of the day I’ve been waiting for – to finally be alone with her. Maybe after these next few hours, she won’t despise me so much.
The two of us discuss how we’re going to do this section of the project. We come up with a plan to make sure we’re not paying for people who can afford their own groceries. It’s rather clever of her to think of that. I’d hate to waste the money on those who don’t need it.
A couple miles away from our destination, Shape of You by Ed Sheeran comes through the speaker. Kayleigh perks up, raising volume with a big smile. It’s obvious how this song makes her feel and I’d do anything to keep that look on her face.
“Sorry.” She mumbles. “I just love this song.”
A small laugh bubbles out of my mouth. “You’re fine.”
For the first time, she’s actually happy around me, and I’m going to embrace every single minute of it.
THE FIRST PERSON WE choose is a mother with a young girl. I approach them carefully, trying to mask my nervousness. The child is pouting after being told she can’t get a toy she wanted. However, when her mother says they don’t have the money for it, she doesn’t ask again.
“Excuse me, I’d like to pay for your groceries, and I’d like your daughter to add the toy as well, if that’s okay.” I tell the mom.
Tears spring to her eyes and she places her hands over her mouth. “Are you serious?” I nod, smiling at her reaction. “Thank you so much.” She envelops me in a tight hug.
If I had known that this felt so good, I would have done it years ago. The little girl picks out her toy and thanks me by wrapping her arms around my leg. After I pay for the groceries, I help them out to the car, distracting the young one while her mother puts the bags in the trunk.
“Is that your girlfriend?” The woman asks, gesturing towards Kayleigh watching from the window.
“O-oh, no. She’s just my partner on the project.”
She hums. “That’s strange. The way you look at her says something completely different.”
