Brandon pulled up to Claire’s house slowly in his Jeep. The long driveway to Claire’s house was lit with a row of lanterns. It was only 4pm, but the mid-December sky was already midnight-blue. He looked at himself in the rear view mirror, quickly checking his teeth and rearranging his mop top hair. He rang the bell at Claire’s door, his hands fiddling behind his back as he waited.

“You must be Brandon,” a voice said as the door opened. “I’m Claire’s mom, Kathy.”

Brandon held out a hand. “Hello Mrs. Silverstein, it’s nice to meet you.” He was surprised to be eye to eye with her. She was about as tall as he was at 5’10, and had wavy dirty blonde hair in a bob cut.

“Sorry, I’m a hugger!” She pulled him in for a warm embrace. He let out a nervous laugh as he hugged her back. He felt how thin she was in his hands. He noticed that she was about an A or B cup, but had an hourglass figure, similar to her daughter. Over her shoulder he saw a man at a chopping board in the kitchen, and Claire on a stool on the opposite side of the counter. He suddenly felt nervous about hugging her in front of Claire and her father. “Come on in, get warm.”

Brandon was immediately impressed with Claire’s house. The kitchen looked brand new with heavy marble countertops. Everything was clean and organized. Nothing in the house looked cheap. Brandon thought back to his cramped townhouse where he lived with his parents and little sister. He felt like he didn’t belong.

“What’s up, spud? I’m Frank.” Claire’s father held out a fist. “I’d shake your hand but mine are a mess from making all this guac.” The smell of lemon and avocado made Brandon’s mouth water. He sat next to Claire almost as an afterthought. He wanted to be respectful to her and her parents, but was also aware that he was acting very stiff.

“Hey Claire, you ready to go? I’m parked by your garage.”

She gave him a goofy crooked smile “sup, bruh?” She liked teasing him for being kind of a jock. She hung out with the artsy kids and theater nerds at school. She fit right in with them, with her dark eye liner and eye shadow, and her grunge clothing style. Brandon and Claire were kind of an odd couple, and the fact that they ever met at their huge high school was a miracle in and of itself. “Yeah, I’m ready to go.” Claire grabbed her bag.

“Hey why not stick around,” Frank interrupted. “I’m making guac. It’s your favorite, Claire.”

Claire stopped and looked at Brandon. “I don’t know, what do you wanna do?”