Tame

by India Marshall

  "I'm not worried now." He clicked his teeth. He released the steering wheel a little, leaning back in his chair, grinning.

  "Good." I beamed. I forgot all about the fact we were possibly lost, and began to enjoy my date with Tanner. I mean, what's a simple text and an old sign going to do- ruin my entire date? Not on my watch.

  "Can you just get my phone from the back?" Tanner asked me.

  "The backseat?" I echoed.

  "Hm, it may have fallen on the floor. Just unbuckle your seatbelt and climb in the back. There's no other cars around." Tanner explained.

  "Right...why?"

  "I have a GPS on my phone, we can use it to get to the movie theatre." Tanner told me.

  "Oh! Okay." I smiled. I ubuckled myself hastily, turning around and climbing into the back.

  "What a nice view." Tanner whistled. I blushed, glad he couldn't see my face. Though right now, he could see my ass. It appeared to be in his face.

  "Oh my God- I am so sorry!" I wailed. I kicked my little legs up so I could push myself forward into the back. Unfortunately for me, the car swerved, and I landed on my head on a hard plastic bit inside the car. "Oww!"

  "Ow!" Tanner groaned at the same time.

  "What happened then?" I grumbled, trying to sit up. My hair, which had taken ages to perfect, was now tumbling out of it's bun, shielding my eyes so I couldn't see a thing.

  "A car came hurtling towards us, I moved the car, and you kicked me in the head." Tanner snapped.

  I cringed. I pulled myself up, flopping into the seat in the middle. "I. Am. So. Sorry."

  "It's fine." Tanner sighed. I was beginning to get tired of that reply. He was just lucky he was Tanner West, my gorgeous dream guy who liked me back and was taking me on a date.

  I fiddled around until I found his phone. I pulled it out from under Tanner's seat, and handed it to him.

  "Thanks." He muttered, unlocking his phone and scrolling through pages of apps, before pressing a green one. It came up with a map, and he thrust his phone at me. It landed in my lap. I sort of caught it!

  "Which way do we need to go?" Tanner quizzed, half facing me, but keeping his eyes on the road at the same time.

  "Go left. No wait- right! No, left!" I panicked.

  "Left or right?" Tanner demanded. "Quick!"

  "Left!" I cried. Tanner swerved the car and I felt like I was gonna puke. That was gonna be one long ride to the movie theatre.

  ***

  One hour, thirty four minutes and twenty three, four, five seconds, was the amount of time it took us to get to the movie theatre. We'd missed half of the film, but Tanner insisted we went in.

  "Look, I'm so sorry it took so long to get here. But let's go in anyway. It'll be fun." He told me simply. I melted at his coolness, and how he was so sweet about being late. Tanner West had the full package.

  "Okay." I schmoozed.

  We snuck in, giggling and chuckling. A few people frowned at us, and one little kid loudly declared we were late. We slipped into the seats at the back. We were right on the edge, the opposite side to the door.

  "This movie makes no sense!" I giggled.

  "We missed the beginning." Tanner reminded me, frowning.

  "Oh yeah...but who's who?" I whispered.

  "No idea. They're all retards to me anyway." Tanner shrugged.

  But the guy in the movie was hot...

  Not as hot as Tanner.

  "What?" Tanner asked. Dammit! Had I spoken out loud, again?

  "You think I'm hot?" Tanner raised his eyebrows.

  "Um...yeah?" I squeaked. I sounded like my Mom. Making everything sound like a question.

  "Sweet." He grinned. "Hey, Farrah?"

  "Hm?" My eyes felt like they were widening. Tanner was going to ask me a question! What could it be?

  Be his girlfriend.

  Kiss him.

  Marry him.

  A million things ran through my mind, and so when he opened his mouth, I was already speaking.

  "Yes!" I squealed.

  "But you don't know what the question is yet." Tanner said to me, looking at me like I was a complete weirdo.

  "R-right, right." I stammered, blushing.

  "I was gonna ask if you could get me some popcorn?" Tanner inquired, holding out some change. I looked at his hand, my face falling.

  "Sure..."

  "Thanks." Tanner winked. "Make it a large, then we can share, yeah?"

  I melted all over again. He wanted to share popcorn with me? Aww!

  I went out to the movie theatre lobby, and into the food department. I peered around, looking at the delicious chocolate bars, the candy, the popcorn. I was starving. I looked at the money Tanner had given me. It was enough for a large popcorn...and a small candy bar.

  "Can I help you?" The guy at the counter asked me.

  "Uh, yeah. A large popcorn and that small purple candy bar over there." I told him.

  "This?" He asked, picking up the exact candy bar I had meant- even without pointing.

  "Yep!" I grinned.

  "And a large popcorn?" He repeated.

  "Hm, yes please." I nodded. He began filling the popcorn box, and I picked up the candy bar. It was called a, 'Zumo Zumo' bar. It sounded a bit strange. I looked at the ingridients on the back. "EW!"

  "What, what's wrong?" The guy panicked.

  "There is jelly in this!" I cried. "This is like cat food! I demand something else!"

  "Demand?" He raised his eyebrows.

  "Of the same price, if you please." I nodded firmly.

  "Right..." He gave me the exact same look as Tanner had done just moments before.

  "I'm not a freak!" I shrieked.

  The man took a step back. "I know, sorry Ma'am. So...what kind of candy bar would you like? Something like this?"

  He held up a chocolate bar in a red wrapper. Perfect. I had never seen a candy bar wrapped in red wrapping before.

  "Are you speaking aloud on purpose?" The guy asked, bewildered.

  "No. I just do that sometimes. Here's the money for it." I handed it over.

  The guy snickered. "Yeah, thanks."

  I got back into the movie theatre, handing Tanner the popcorn.

  "Thanks, babe." He smiled.

  Babe?

  Babe?

  BABE?!

  I did a little happy dance in my seat, earning some funny looks from the rude people in front. I glared at them, making them retreat. I looked across at Tanner, who was stuffing his cute face with popcorn that smelt like toast.

  How awkward.

  The movie ended on the most dramatic scene I had ever seen. I could definitely see a sequel coming. Too bad I wouldn't be watching it. Ugh, I was beginning to sound like Jason.

  "Did you like the movie?" Tanner asked loudly. For some reason the lights had not turned on yet. I stood up, followed by Tanner. I remembered I had left my chocolate bar in my seat, so I reached over to get it. I had had to hide it from Tanner- I spent his money without asking. I was a bad person. I blamed...no I didn't.

  Yeah I did-I still blamed Cameron. And I had just ignored Tanner. Stupid Cameron Carter.

  I dived for it, and if in slow motion, I fell to the floor, my chin hitting the seat on the way down. Music erupted from the screen- the movie wasn't over. God dammit.

  "Haha, haha!" Tanner laughed. "Oh classic! Hey, are you okay?"

  "Just, fine." I replied, taking my seat again. Tanner was still quietly chuckling, and I slumped in my seat. Bad move. I squished my candy bar. I quickly felt my butt with my hand, (not in a dodgy way) and felt melted chocolate. Holy shit on toast. Or in this case, on the back of my beautiful top!

  "What are you doing?" Tanner asked. I realised I was waving my hand in the air to try and dry the chocolate, so I could lick it off. If I licked it when it was still all smeary, it would get all over my face. What a lovely sight for my date when the lights came on.

  "N-nothing." I stuttered.

  "Riiight." Tanner winked. Did I miss something?

&
nbsp; I shrugged it off, trying to focus on the movie again. It was about a sailor or something, and seemed an awful lot like Titanic to me. But there was no hot Leonardo Dicaprio in this film.

  Suddenly, a hand slid onto my thigh. I froze, my breath catching in my throat in shock. I swallowed and looked at the hand. It belonged to Tanner if I was not mistaken. Which I was not.

  I turned to face Tanner, who was smiling. I tried to smile back, but it must have looked very false. He leaned over and whispered in my ear.

  "Don't worry. I know this seems strange to you, but everyone does it on first dates. Relax."

  I nodded, my breathing normal again. Kind of. Tanner's hand inched up my leg, and then he gave up because I kept twitching. He lifted his arm and slung it around me casually. My heart skipped a beat and I was smiling from ear to ear. Tanner saw this and grinned too. I was just about to say something, when the lights turned on. The movie had finished? The sailor was mid-sentence!

  "How unexpected." I frowned.

  "You talk funny." Tanner told me.

  "Aww, thanks." I replied, not sure if it was a compliment or not. How awkward if it wasn't.

  "Let's get to the restuarant." Tanner told me. "I'm starving, aren't you?"

  He just ate a huge bucket of popcorn.

  "Uh huh."

  We were on our way out, when I saw two heads. Two familiar heads. One had dark hair, black, blending in with the darkness. I saw from his black clothing and baggy jeans that it was Jason. So of course the blonde haired, green-eyed boy next to him had to be...

  "Cameron?" Tanner asked. Cameron turned around, grinning. His smile was almost...triumphant?

  "Tanner! Farrah!" Cameron exclaimed.

  "What a surprise!" Jason added on.

  "What are you doing here?" I narrowed my eyes at them. They were going to ruin my date!

  "Just hanging." Jason answered. "How about you guys?"

  "We're on a date." I scowled.

  "Yeah. We're just about to go to a restuarant..." Tanner trailed off. He clearly saw the glint in Cameron's eyes too.

  "Great!" Cameron cheered. "We'll come too!"

  "I am hungry!" Jason announced. "Let's go!"

  "It's a date-" I began.

  "Go away, I was going to-" Tanner tried.

  "Great." Cameron nodded again. "So your car?"

  "I don't-" Tanner and I said together.

  "Farrah, what the hell is on your ass?" Jason chuckled.

  "Why are you looking?" Tanner rolled his eyes.

  "Oh my God Farrah!" Cameron laughed. "Did you shi-"

  "Shut up." I growled.

  "But-"

  "Let's go, I'm hungry!" Jason butt in.

  "Toast of the holy shit." I grumbled.

  Chapter 22

  I thought the painful, awkward walk to Tanner's car would be the worst bit. But no, there was the car ride. And still, the restaurant to come. I sat in the front passenger seat next to Tanner, with Cameron and Jason behind us, laughing and joking like there was nothing wrong in what they had just done. Ruined my date. My date with Tanner. My first date with Tanner- and now surely my last.

  "Dude, I am telling you, no." Cameron shook his head at Jason.

  "Yes!" Jason argued, wiggling his eyebrows. Ugh, they were talking about a girl.

  "She'd never go out with me." Cameron shrugged.

  "But you want her to."

  "Do not!" Cameron protested.

  "Why would anyone wanna date you? You're an ass." I called to them.

  "Haha, go you." Tanner grinned. I giggled and smiled at him. Jason made puking noises from the backseat.

  "Shut up, Farrah Poppy Chambers." Cameron growled.

  "You love me." I grinned.

  "Do. Not." Cameron shook his head furiously.

  "I can see you as a couple." Jason told us, leaning back in his seat, putting his hands behind his head.

  "Dude, we're on a date." Tanner laughed. Why was he laughing about that?

  "Yeah, a date." Jason repeated, a hint of irritance in his voice. "Because that's never stopped you doing something stupid with girls before."

  "Jason..." Tanner warned, glaring at him in his rearview mirror.

  "Tanner..." Jason teased.

  "Something stupid?" I echoed, frowning in confusion. "Okay then."

  "You don't get it, do you?" Cameron rolled his eyes.

  "Oh go away." I stuck my tongue out at him. I wished I did know what they meant, because it made me look and feel stupid to not know. Stupid guys. No, Tanner wasn't stupid. Stupid Cameron. And Jason- they both ruined my one chance at true love with Tanner West, my freakin' dream guy!

  "Are we there yet?" Cameron whined like a little kid. "I am starving!"

  "So am I. God Tanner, you take ages to drive anywhere!" Jason moaned.

  I turned around in my seat to face them. "We actually got lost on the way to the movie theatre."

  That was obviously the wrong thing to say- Jason and Cameron burst out laughing. Oops.

  "D-dude! H-how could you get lost?" Jason howled. I winced, they boys didn't sound too kind to Tanner- I thought they were friends?

  "Thanks a lot, Farrah." Tanner grumbled. However, his face lit up and he smiled at me, before saying in a laughing tone, "Ah, shut up. It just meant I got to spend more time with gorgeous Farrah."

  "Gorgeous?" I asked.

  "Yeah." Tanner nodded.

  "Aww!" I cooed, gushing. "Thanks!"

  "Stop being such a girl." Cameron spat.

  "Uh, maybe I am one?" I retorted.

  "Yeah." Cameron smirked mischeviously. "Maybe."

  "Cameron!" I shrieked. I undid my seatbelt, and leapt at him. Tanner slammed down on the brakes, and steered the car of off the road, riding over the edge of the sidewalk. Jason tried to reach out and stop me hitting Cameron, but forgot he was still strapped in, flinging himself back on to the chair. Cameron was huddled up, his hands on my face, pushing me away from him.

  "Stop veing vuch a derk!" I cried into the palm of his hand.

  "You overreact way to much!" Cameron cackled.

  "Farrah!" Tanner and Jason called, both trying to restrain me.

  "Why did he have to show up and ruin everything?" I wailed, slumping back into my seat. Tanner's arms were around my wasit, from where he had pulled me back. I liked it.

  "I'm not leaving, I'm hungry." Cameron raised his eyebrows at me.

  Ass.

  Walking into the restaurant was especially fun, lots of people were staring at the four of us like we were nutters. I was holding Tanner's hand, (it was warm) and my other hand was being forcefully squeezed by Jason, to stop me hitting Cameron, who kept leaning around Jason to prod me.

  "A table for four, please." Tanner announced to the girl at the front desk. She had blonde hair, blue eyes and long eyelashes, fluttering them at Tanner as if it were her job. I shifted uncomfortably, even more so when Tanner dropped my hand to lean over the counter.

  "Hm, okay. Right this way, boys." She winked.

  "I'm a girl!" I cried.

  "Oh, sorry." She apologised, not sounding sorry at all.

  "I said you were possibly not a girl." Cameron chuckled.

  "I will stab you with a fork." I threatened, stepping closer to him. Jason looked rather amused and didn't stop me. Tanner began to follow the waitress and didn't even notice.

  "And I shall stab you with a knife." Cameron told me, smirking.

  "And then I will wrench it out of my body and shove it down your throat. That is my last wish." I nodded, turning around and following Tanner. Because I didn't have my hair up properly to whip Cameron with, I stamped on his foot before scuttling away.

  "Ow! Bitch!" Cameron groaned.

  "Language." An elderly woman tutted. I smirked to myself.

  Cameron: Many - Farrah: 1

  Go me!

  "Here you go." The blonde girl simpered.

  "We're on a date." I declared. She looked a bit taken a back.

  "The...four of you?" She as
ked dumbly.

  "No." I rolled my eyes. "Me and him." I pointed to Tanner, then back to me. Back off girl. He's my dream guy- get your own! Harry Styles wasn't dating anyone.

  "Right." She coughed, blushing. "Well, I'll get a waiter over in a bit."

  "Thank you." I smiled, sickly sweet.

  Blonde girl: 0 Farrah: 1

  I needed to stop mentally scoring my losses and wins against the world.

  The table was round, so unfortunately I couldn't just sit opposite Tanner, before turning my back on the other two. Nope, I had to face them all. Yay.

  "So, how did you get that stain on your ass?" Cameron asked, completely casual.

  "How can you ask that so...calmly?" I wondered out loud.

  "Jason pointed it out." Cameron defended himself.

  "Just checking you weren't shitting yourself on your first date." Jason grinned.

  "It's not my first date." I reminded him. "My first date with Tanner, yes. But not my first date."

  "Yeah, because dating that pretty boy 'Riles' counts as a date." Cameron laughed cruelly.

  "Pretty boy? Hm, I knew you were gay. First Justin Bieber, then Riley...wow Cameron. Why didn't you tell me?" I struggled not to laugh at his disturbed face.

  "Shut up! I am not gay!" Cameron protested.

  "Well it explains why you like pink." Tanner grinned.

  "Too far." Cameron shook his head.

  "Aww, is Cammie wammie getting defensive? Don't worry, I have nothing against gay people. I've always wanted a stereotypical gay friend- wanna be mine?" I teased.

  "Get lost, Farrah."

  "You know what else it explains?" Jason muttered, tracing circles on our table.

  "What would that be?" I asked, smiling from ear to ear. Teasing Cameron was fun.

  Jason's eyes left the table, trailing up to Cameron's. "Why you haven't been on a date with a girl in nearly a month."

  Cameron's eyes went wide, and for some reason, he looked furious. What a man-whore. In a second, Jason was cursing in pain. Cameron had stomped on his foot- hard.

  "You do not want to start a fight with me." Jason uttered, glaring at Cameron.

  "All right, calm down boys. We are supposed to be on a date." Tanner interrupted. When we all looked at him weirdly, he added, "Well, me and Farrah anyway."