The Way Things Go (ch 1)

         But I remember the Friday when Emmett came into class completely peeved off. He slammed himself into his chair and put his head on his desk. I had finished my projects for the week, so I was just going over some notes for another class. I left him alone. I didn't want to seem pushy. But still I couldn't help but wonder what has this cool headed guy this angry.
         “You know,” I said in his direction, “Mr. Net doesn't take kindly to people that put their head down.”
         He grumbled something and then sat up.
         “I didn't mean to make you angrier.” I said apologetically.
         He shrugged, “It's fine. I'm just not having a good day.”
         “M-mind if I ask what's wrong?”
         “No.”
         “What's wrong?”
         “I dunno. Life sucks.”
         I laughed a little, “Sorry. It's just a little weird thinking that something could be wrong in your life.”
         “Why's that?”
         “Because you're so smooth and cool.” Did I just say that?
         This time he laughed, “You think so?”
         I blushed a little, “Well, yeah... you seem that way at least.”
         He shrugged, “Things aren't always what they seem, you know.”
         “Yeah, I know. So what exactly is wrong?”
         “My parents are making me go to this stupid wedding this weekend.”
         “Weddings aren't that bad. They're sort of nice actually. I personally think that—”
         “You didn't let me finish.”
         “Oh.”
         “It's my uncle's wedding. He's not really my favorite relative.”
         “Mind if I--?”
         “Yeah, that you can't ask about yet.”
         “Okay.”
         We didn't say anything for about a minute.
         “Hey,” he said, “wanna be my date for the wedding?”
         Had I been drinking anything, I would have choked, “Excuse me?”
         “Well, you said they weren't too bad, and I thought if I brought someone I actually knew and didn't mind too much, it would be more bearable.”
         “But why me? I'm sure you have other girls you'd rather bring.”
         He shrugged again, “Most girls just fawn over me. They don't really care. And you seem well, different.”

         The day of the wedding Emmett picked me up with his parents. We sat awkwardly in the back seat of the Isuzu. I starred out the car window most of the one-hour drive. I thought about his family. His mother was pretty. She had that whole perfect housewife thing going on. She reminded me of Aunt Petunia from Harry Potter. Mrs. White had shoulder-length blonde hair, and was skinny. She wore today a green floral sundress, and a matching headband.
         Mr. White however, seemed a bit more liberal than his wife. He sported black slacks, with a light blue button up over a white t-shirt. He had long dark brown hair, like Emmett, and the same blue eyes. Emmett really took after his father. His parents were a silly looking couple, but they complemented each other well.
         Half an hour into the car ride, Emmett touched my hand for my attention.
         “Hey,” he said, half looking at me, “You look nice.”
         I smiled, half blushing of course, “Thanks. You do too.” Today, I made the mistake of wearing my hair down.
         “You should wear it down more often,” Emmett complimented, “It looks nice.”
         I don't know if he was complimenting me out of courtesy, or he actually thought I looked nice.  Either way, he was sweet for saying it. I continued to look out the window. We sat in silence for the rest of the ride.
         
         We pulled up to the church. It was one of those Catholic churches, stained glass and all. Hundreds of people already filled the pews. Not only am I uncomfortable in churches, but I'm not exactly the greatest around a lot of people. Not to mention people I don't even know.
         “Uh, Emmett?” I tugged on his sleeve.
         “Hm?” he leaned down to my level.
         “I'm not good around a lot of people...”
         “Don't worry, we're sitting in the back. We don't even have to pay attention to the wedding.”
         I hesitantly followed him into the back pews. There were five empty rows of pews between us and the rest of the crowd. His parents sat among the mass. Here I was, practically alone with Emmett White. At a wedding, he invited me to. I wondered what would happen when we we were back at school on Monday.