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Annleigh’s nails tapped the surface of the table quickly, her eyes staring out the window of the pizza parlor in an awkward attempt to avoid her companion’s gaze. Kate was sat across from her, her fingers fumbling with the coupon she’d gotten from Eva as she smoothed out the bent corners. The two weren’t close, never had been, so it was a shock that the other junior had even suggested they get lunch together.
There was nothing special about the current day. Sunny, but barely so: the clouds kept wafting over that bright star in the sky like waves over a beach’s sand. The air was warm, at least. It’d been relatively chilly the previous few weeks and the jump from 45° to 62° was greatly appreciated.
“I think we should runaway,” Kate’s voice cut through quickly. She sounded sheepish, looked even more so when Annleigh’s face scrunched in confusion as she turned to face the girl.
“What?”
“I think we should runaway,” she repeated. “Just… you know, for the day.”
Annleigh stared, lips parted and tapping momentarily halted as she weighed her options. Kate looked about ready to backtrack before Annleigh nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah.
Her feet hit the dirt with padded thumps as she ran. Behind her, Kate did the same, her harsh persona forgotten as she grinned at Annleigh’s childish shouting. It was only about a twenty minute drive from Eva’s work to the family ranch Annleigh took them to, nobody but them and a few horses watching the two from behind a fence.
Their sweaters, shoes, and socks had been abandoned on the porch of the rambler house once it was decided they’d run and roll down the hill. The air was much fresher than in their neighborhood, the sky somehow brighter and grass greener. It felt like they were free, free of something they both knew but wouldn’t name. And it was nice.
It was only when they were sat on the steps leading into the home and their giggles quieted that Kate admitted, “I forgot the coupon at the pizza parlor.”