Eden Read Online Free PDF Page B

I tried my best to eat like a gentleman, but at sixteen, it was a little harder than I thought; I was very self-conscious of everything I did. I made a point not to talk until I was totally finished with my meal. The last thing I would want is for Eden to be disgusted by my lack of table manners.
    “So are you taking the bus to school?” I asked her when I finally cleared my plate.
    Even though East Harbor wasn’t a big town, the high school was still a good four or five miles from my home; too far to walk everyday. As a result, the guys and I took the school bus.
    “No,” Eden told me, “I have to go in a little early to meet with the principal. I think he has to give me my class schedule and stuff like that.”
    I was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to show up at the bus stop tomorrow with Eden on my arm. I would have loved to see the look of shock on the guys’ faces when they saw me with a beautiful girl.
    When the waitress came back to clear the dishes, we both declined dessert. I couldn’t talk for Eden, but I was stuffed. I paid the check and left a nice tip for the waitress. More than the three dollars we had left for Angeline earlier that day.
    Leaving the Pasta Garden, I walked Eden back home. It had gotten dark outside since we entered the restaurant. I hated the fact that the sun went down so early in autumn and winter, it felt later than it really was. I walked Eden down the street to her house.
    “I had a wonderful time, Thomas,” Eden said when we reached her doorstep.
    “I did, too,” I agreed quickly.
    “My parents still aren’t here,” she told me, “but if you’d like I could cook you dinner tomorrow.”
    I couldn’t say yes fast enough. The idea of Eden cooking for me was just too good to be true. Girls only cook for guys that they really like, right? I wish I could think of something else to say to her. I didn’t want this night to end. It was like a dream come true.
    “So, I’ll see you at school tomorrow?” Eden asked, closing any hope I had of prolonging the night.
    “Of course,” I promised.
    “Good,” she said smiling and then she leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the lips, “I had a wonderful evening with you, Thomas. Thank you.”
    I stood there rooted to the steps. I must have had a look of complete shock on my face because Eden covered her mouth and silently giggled into her hand. I planned to say something back to her, I really did, but nothing would come out of my mouth.
    “Good night,” she said quietly, opening the door to her home and silently slipping inside.
    It wasn’t until Eden slowly closed the door, leaving me all alone on the door step that I was able to quietly mutter, “You’re welcome.”
     

 
    5
     
     
    The next morning I was in such a good mood, you would think that it wasn’t the first day of school. I literally bounced out of bed the second the alarm clock sounded and even though I had barely gotten any sleep last night, my body felt energized.
    I hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before because after returning home, Eden’s kiss ran through my mind over and over. I still couldn’t believe it. My first kiss! My father was in shock when he saw me exit my bedroom whistling.
    “Are you alright?” he asked, “You do remember that today is the first day of school, right?”
    “Sure, Dad,” I reassured him, “I remember.”
    A smile played across my mother’s face. She knew why I was in such a good mood this morning. She leaned over and whispered something into my father’s ear. I couldn’t hear what she told him, all I could make out were my father’s responses.
    “What…him…are you sure?” were the only fragmented parts of the conversation that I could over hear. My father looked over at me with a mix of pride and surprise and gave me a thumb’s up, “Way to go, son.”
    “Thanks,” I said, blushing.
    After a bowl of cereal and some juice, I headed to the end of the block, where my bus stop was.