“You’re a great friend!”

My mumbled response was something like, “My pleasure,” trying to sound sophisticated, yet casual. I couldn’t look past the word friend, though. Friend. I’m a great friend. Nothing more? I could already hear Jeff mocking, “Dude, she used the F word on you!”

Get a grip, Scott, I told myself. Tomorrow I’d consider the consequences of her response. I wasn’t going to let it ruin my night.

Just two weeks after the prom, I found myself at Katie’s house again. The occasion wasn’t a joyous one for me, though. Katie’s father had driven up from New Calvert City and was taking her home. She’d be living with him while she was in college, at least for her freshman year. I stood and watched while Katie’s father packed her belongings into the car. You’d think she was moving to another country considering the pyramid of suitcases, boxes and bags she’d made on the sidewalk.

Jeff had come along with me. Other people from school were there too. Katie had sent out an email invitation to come say goodbye. It sounded like it would be some kind of party. Katie’s mom had made some food inside the house, but this “party” had become a gathering of friends standing outside and hugging. Worse, when I received the invitation, I guess I wasn’t expecting other people to be here either. She’d hardly said two words to me so far. She and a bunch of girls were giggling and talking about college guys. Finally, she addressed all of us standing there.

“You guys have been great,” she said as she squeezed Holly McFadden’s hand. “I definitely want to stay in touch with everyone. Coreyville just isn’t the place for me. I want to see my name up in lights! The world is calling me!” she giggled and spun around. Katie wanted to move down to New Calvert, eventually find an apartment and a job and leave this town in the dust. I could’t blamed her.

I looked to Jeff for moral support. Our eyes met and he could sense my angst and confusion.

“The new issue of Dark Retaliator comes out next week,” he said, almost whispering.

“You always know what to say, buddy.”

After a while, we did all move inside the house. We ate lunch, listened to music, danced around and watched some chick flick. I’m sure Jeff was bored out of his mind for most of it. The conversation shifted to action movies at one point, so he did find something of interest. I was in a haze for a lot of it.

At the end of the day, as Katie and her dad got ready to leave, there was more hugging and kissing and promises of calls and emails. We had involuntarily formed a semi-circle around Katie. She got to Jeff and me last.

“Jeff, you’re the best chauffeur a girl could have,” she said, giving him a big hug.

Jeff actually managed a genuine smile for her. “It was no problem. Any time.”

She moved in front of me and looked into my eyes. My heart was pounding in my chest. “Scott,” Katie whispered as she reached up and touched my face. “Thank you.” She moved in and kissed me on the cheek. Some sweet smell filled the air around us. Was it perfume? Shampoo? The pounding of my heart had now broken the sound barrier. She smiled and exhaled a breathy laugh. “You are going to keep in touch, right?”

Who could say “no” at that moment? And why would I? “Yes. Of course.”

My eyes followed her as backed away, hugged her mom, walked over to the car door and opened it. “Take care, everybody. Talk soon,” she said, as she got in the car.

Then, Katie and her father drove away. She was gone.

Next Chapter: Chapter Twelve