As Carson led Angela to their seats in the small auditorium, she could not help smiling. The bleachers were filling up fast and the stage was nearly ready for the show.
I’m on a date with the star quarterback, she thought hardly believing herself.
He glanced over his shoulder and returned a smile of his own. When they reached the first row, he gestured forward. “After you.”
She took a seat and replied, “Thank you.”
“Angela,” Carson said as he sat closely beside her, “You look very pretty.”
She looked down at her short blouse and skirt, and tried to hide her rosy cheeks. Then, she slightly crinkled her brows as she recalled what Andrew had said when he had caught her leaving the house earlier.
“Where are you going dressed like that?” he had practically shouted at her.
“Just out with a friend,” she replied still angry with him.
“A boy?” Andrew asked. “Who?”
“Carson,” she admitted.
Andrew cringed and said, “You can’t go out with him, especially dressed like that and wearing all that makeup. What are you thinking?”
“Back off,” Angela heatedly responded, “you have no right to tell me what to do. And, what’s wrong with how I look?”
“You look like you’re out of a pop music video or something,” he said as he crossed his arms.
“Leave me alone,” she replied, trying to brush past him.
“But how can you date Carson?” Andrew said switching tactics. “He was one of my friends.”
Angela paused for a moment and said, “I thought so. But, what does it matter?”
“My friends turned on me,” he said with reproach.
“Not Carson,” Angela said. “He couldn’t have. He was with his family last night. Besides, he never would have gone along with vandalism. He’s not you.”
Andrew fired back, “Yeah, well, if you only knew how ridiculous you look right now, you wouldn’t leave the house.”
Angela was upset with how he treated her, how he made her feel self-conscious and that she was making a mistake. She had taken off outside and slammed the door behind her. As she reached the curb, a blue sports car had pulled up.
Carson was very polite when he got out of the car to open the door for her. He was everything she always dreamed of, with his strong muscles and kind heart. The fact that he was several years her senior and still interested in her, really made her feel special. And, his compliment at the auditorium really flattered her.
You look very pretty, she heard over and over in her thoughts.
“You’re really sweet,” Angela replied. “Thank you.”
As the musicians took the stage, Angela noticed that the guys were about their age. They wore cut jeans and faded t-shirts.
“They’re young,” she said in surprise. “Your aunts and uncles bought tickets for a young adult band?”
Carson said shrugged slightly embarrassed, “Well, actually, not quite.”
Angela noticed that he was nervous so she said, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry.”
“It’s okay,” he said, “really. My relatives had online credit for concert tickets that was going to expire today if not used. Since they decided to leave town early, they gave me the choice of what band to watch.”
“I see,” Angela said as she comprehended what he was saying. “Well, I’m glad you asked me to join you.”
“I couldn’t image asking anyone else,” Carson said smoothly while his blue eyes met her gaze.
She bit her lip and then said, “You have very pretty eyes. Handsome eyes. I mean—” She blushed harder at her poor attempt at flirting.
He laughed and replied, “Thanks. Your eyes are quite lovely too.”
Angela loved his compliments, yet wondered how they came out so natural.
When the rock music came over the speakers, she could feel the beat in her body. The bleachers vibrated with the sound and although she never heard the song before, she could see that Carson really liked it. As some of the fans stood up around them, Carson did as well, and he extended a hand towards Angela.
She slipped her hand into his and stared at it for a moment.
He’s holding my hand, she thought. Wow, I love this feeling.
Carson just smiled and started to bang his head to the music. He looked at her and said, “Come on. It’s fun.”
She gave it a try, and despite not really caring for the lyrics or the tune, she did like making Carson smile. As the songs continued, she got into the music and let loose like him. They laughed at the sight of the faces they made as they nodded to the beat.
When it got dark, Angela felt the cool breeze on her exposed arms and she began to shiver. Carson took off his blue Grove High letterman jacket and placed it around her. As he did so, he kept his arm over her shoulders.
She felt a little awkward as he held her, but she did not want to hurt his feelings by telling him to back off.
He’s just being kind, she thought. I’m sure he’s not trying to be fresh or anything.
At the end of the concert, the music stopped and the fans applauded the band. Carson took Angela’s hand once more and guided her through the crowd. When they reached the parking lot, he helped her into the car and drove her home.
“Did you have a good time?” Carson asked with a smile.
“Yes,” she said smiling in return. “It was very nice.”
After he parked his car at her house, he got out and opened the door for her. She left the letterman jacket in the vehicle, took his hand and walked to the porch.
“Thank you for going with me,” Carson said smoothly. “I would really love to go out with you again sometime.”
Angela blushed and said, “I would really like that too.”
He locked eyes with her and leaned in closer. She turned her head to the side and he kissed her on the cheek. He whispered in her ear, “Goodnight Angela.”
She watched him walk to his sports car, and as he got inside, he waved.
Goodnight Carson, she thought.
Angela remembered that kiss for the rest of the weekend and could not wait until she would see him again.
22
Finding Faith Page 21