El
On Friday I was at Starcourt. It was 6:00. I didn't have to be there for another 30 minutes, but I figured It would be better to be early than late.
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It was 6:25. I made my way to the movie theater.
I looked around waiting for him.
He's probably just on his way
I thought.
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It was now 6:45. Was he just a little late? Surely. That had to be the problem. Mike wouldn't stand me up. Would he?
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It was 7:05. I was torn between anger and worry. Where was he? Was he ok? Was he just not coming. I trudged off to Scoops Ahoy. I felt tears prickle in my eyes.
Steve was at the counter, Robin and him got off at 8:30.
"Hey kid you ok?" He asked.
I shook my head.
"Why don't you come in back? It's a slow night, Rob and me could help you with what's wrong and let you have some ice cream." He said.
"I'd like that a lot." I said.
His eyes widened.
"Your not suppose to talk." He said.
"Change of heart." I said.
Steve led me to the back. Robin grinned at me.
"Sup, how's ever-oh, El what's wrong."
I had started crying. My carefully applied makeup streaming down my face.
"I-I had a date with M-Mike. He n-never showed." I sobbed.
Steve looked aghast. He put an arm around my shoulder.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, El no one should have to go through that." He said.
"Why don't I make you a sundae?" He said. Handing me a napkin to dab at my makeup.
"Ok." I said.
Steve went up to the counter. Robin sat on a stool next to me.
"That happened to me too once you know." She said softly.
"It did, why would anyone stand you up, your awesome." I said through tears.
"She didn't think so, Tammy Thompson, 11th grade, I didn't realize she was a jerk." Robin said.
"I'm sorry." I said.
"Don't be, if that didn't happen I wouldn't be where I am now."
I giggled.
"Here let me help you with that." She said. Taking the napkin out of my hands and went over to a drawer and found some sanitizer wipes.
"Company policy." She said.
She scrubbed the mascara off my cheeks.
"Thank you." I said.
"Anytime." She said.
Steve walked in.
"Here El." He handed me the sundae.
"Thanks, you guys are the greatest." I said.
"You know it." Robin said.
Steve grinned.
Mike
I blinked. How long had I been asleep. One minute doing my algebra assignment the next I was asleep.
I looked at the clock.
Oh 🌺, it was 8:10!
"🌺"! I yelled.
I didn't even bother changing. I ran downstairs and outside into the car.
I got to the mall as fast as I could.  She was probably still there, if she came. El didn't know how to drive.
I walked in the direction of the theater. I saw Scoops Ahoy. Through the window between the front and back area I saw El with Robin and Steve. Smudged mascara and purple sweater.
I felt awful.
I couldn't face her. I went back to my car. I just sat there in the parking lot for a while. El came out with Steve and Robin a few minutes later.
She got in Steve's car. Steve must have been taking her home. I drove back home. I felt awful.