The Weird Travels of Aimee Schmidt: The Curse of the Gifted by J.A. Schreckenbach

with unanticipated concern.“I’m sorry. I...uh...I didn’t know,” he said.
    “That’s all right. She died a long time ago.”
    He quickly picked up the photo of James and Sacha. The conversation was starting out awkward, and he was searching for a different direction to turn it.
    “Hey, I know James,” he commented cheerfully. “Is this your brother?”
    “Yep, James is my one and only sibling.” Aimee wasn’t surprised he knew James. Everyone at East Medford knew James when he was there. Like Dylan, he was popular and well liked. Even though James played Varsity basketball, not football, in a school of only a thousand it was highly likely their paths crossed in athletics.
    Dylan appeared to be enjoying himself. His questions were not just casual date talk. He was truly interested in learning more about Aimee. The butterflies in her stomach were fluttering so she decided she could relax if they got the date going.
    Aimee asked, “Are you hungry?”
    “Well, I’m ready if you are.”
    They quickly left. Aimee's dad shadowed them while they moved out the front door, making sure to complete his due diligence by giving his fatherly lecture about being safe and enjoying themselves, but not too much. As he gave Aimee a goodnight hug, a low whistle seeped through his clenched teeth. “Geez, that is some car. Yours?” he unabashedly asked. He stood there admiring Dylan’s brand new Toyota FJ Cruiser; jet black with a white roof and black racks. Aimee had to admit it was fitting for Dylan; shiny and rugged looking.
    “Dad, of course it’s his. Do you think he stole it on the way over?” Dylan laughed good-naturedly. When they pulled out of the driveway, her dad was still checking out the SUV with an envious stare.
    “Where to?” Dylan asked after driving a few blocks towards the interstate.
    “How about Burger Shack?”
    Dylan shook his head and chuckled. “I have some place better in mind.”
    “I love food, any kind. So surprise me.”
    Dylan wheeled his FJ effortlessly onto I-5 heading south. Without taking his eyes from the road, he stuck in a CD and turned the sound up slightly. They listened to music for a few minutes, occasionally stealing glances at one another. The suspense was killing Aimee. She had to know where they were going as the SUV ripped down the interstate towards the California state line.
    “So are we going out-of-state for dinner?” Aimee finally asked.
    “Nope, Ashland. I wanted to take you somewhere different. Somewhere nicer than hamburgers and fries. I have reservations. I hope you like Italian.”
    Aimee's mouth dropped open. “I love Italian! Dylan, this thank you isn’t supposed to be extra vagant. Matter-of-fact, it's not necessary at all. I really enjoyed working with you on the project.”
    “Well…” he started slowly, his eyes fixed on the road as he reached over and turned down the music so it was barely audible, “this really isn’t a thank you.”
    “It’s not ?” The surprise in Aimee's voice was obvious. He looked over at her with a cocky smile .
    “No, not really. Of course I really do appreciate all of your help on the project. I got an A. I couldn’t have done it without you.” He continued, methodically selecting his words, occasionally glancing over at Aimee to assess her reaction. “The truth is I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time, since last summer actually.” He shot a fleeting look at her before continuing. “I know this is a first date, but I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since we worked together last summer.” He kept looking over worried like Aimee had quit breathing. She was speechless, but still breathing so he continued. “I kept hoping this past fall I would see you at the games or hanging out with Chelsea and your friends at parties, but, well, you know, Brandi was always around so it was awkward, to say the least. So now since that little problem is no longer an issue I had to try…”
    “Try what ?”