Counting Colors, Part IV

Although I had a great time with Aiden and Erica, I had to go back to painting at some point. The owner gave us three weeks to finish it, and it was halfway through the second. We had almost finished the cars but still had the entire entrance to do. So, I stuck it up and skipped off to paint.

Will did not blow me off this time and was there before me. He was listening to his iPod and painting the metal gates green, to match the spokes on the track. I had to shout his name before he realized I was there. Turning around, he simply said, “Hey,” and walked over to get a different brush. I could have screamed for how bluntly he was evading the reason for blowing me off.

“Where were you last week?” I growled.

“None of your business. Where were you yesterday?” Will said.

“With friends,” I retorted, “which is more than I can say for you.”

I saw anger I’ve never seen before in his eyes. For a millisecond I thought he was going to explode at me but then realized that he probably wouldn’t. One thing I always admired about Will was that he kept his cool no matter what. Someone could punch him in the face and he wouldn’t fight back. Not that he’s a wimp or a chicken. He just never actually fought with anyone, just argued. I doubted he’d ever change.

Nothing was said that day, at least not to each other. Will finished painting the gates green and I got all the letters to the G done out of “The Big Dipper”. I used purple, my second favorite color. I thought about what I had said while I painted and felt more and more regretful as the minutes went by. As we sealed the paints and set them down under the arch, I finally spoke.

“Will, I’m so sorry about what I said. It was really uncalled for, and I don’t know what came over me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied in a grumbly tone. As we walked back to our cars, he said, “Hey, do you want to go see a movie or something?”

That struck me. Although we went out two years ago, I never thought we would again. My heart said yes, my head said no, and my mouth said, “Sure. Let’s meet in a couple hours.”

We drove off home. Almost as soon as I got there and was running upstairs to change out of my painting clothes, the phone rang. It was Aiden. His side of the conversation:

“Hello, April? Yes, this is Aiden…I’m great, thanks. How are you? Listen, Erica and I were invited to a party tonight at a friend’s house and I was wondering if you would like to come with me.”

They’ve been here two days and they’ve already been invited to a party? I thought incredulously. “Sorry, but I already have plans with Will.”

“Will? I thought you broke up with him two years ago that first summer Erica and I came.”

“Well…yeah, but it’s a kind of a long story. Anyway, thanks for the offer.”

“No, really April. You should come. We’re only here for a few days and I’d really like to get to know you better. You can be with that Will any time, if you really want to.”

I sighed heavily. I hated to blow Will off again, but at the same time I believed what Aiden said. I could be with Will any time. Aiden was shockingly good at convincing people.

“Well, I guess I could work something out. I have to make a call, though.”

“Excellent! I’ll pick you up at 7.”

“Bye.”