Waiting for Dusk by Nancy Pennick

herself get lost in the music. She
danced with all the girls, but Ty always managed to find her.
    “Come on, I want to show you what I brought.”
He took her by the hand, guided her through the dancers and out to
the side fence that led to a garden. The garden was a secluded
place that really couldn’t be seen too well at night. Solar lights
lit the path and a few lanterns hung in various places in the
garden. They walked to the glider and sat down. Ty leaned over the
back of it, and pulled out a bag. He dug around in the bag, and
turned around. In his hands, he had two beers. “Here’s to us
turning sixteen, Katie.” He handed her a can.
    “Ty, where’d you get those? What if my
parents see?” Katie was a little nervous.
    “From our refrigerator in the garage, it’s
stocked with everything and won’t be missed. Your parents are
busy.” He quickly answered her questions. He popped open his can
and reached over and did Katie’s for her. “Drink up.”
    Katie didn’t know if she really wanted to
drink up. She had a few sips of wine on holiday occasions. Her
parents always talked openly about drinking and being responsible.
She took a sip. Yuk!
    Ty seemed to be enjoying his. She would try
again. Even though she didn’t really like it, Katie decided the
best way to drink it was fast. If she did that, it would be over
and done with.
    “Wow. You don’t want this going to your head
now, do you?” Ty gently touched her arm.
    Katie felt warm and lightheaded. Maybe it was
too late. “Did you bring anymore?”
    Ty produced two more. Katie took it, popped
the can and said, “Race you!”
    Ty took the challenge. When they were done,
they looked at each other and said, “Happy Birthday!” Ty grabbed
Katie and kissed her. Not a friendly kiss, but a boyfriend’s kiss.
She kissed him back. She liked it. She curled her legs up on the
cushion of the bench and leaned into him. Her skin touched his bare
chest and he pulled her closer.
    “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do
this. Kiss your lips, feel you skin against mine. I could stay here
forever.” Ty whispered into her ear.
    Forever. That word brought her back to her
senses. “Drew,” she said softly.
    All of the sudden, Katie felt a little sick.
She drank the beers too fast, plus she didn’t even like it.
    “What did you say?” Ty looked puzzled.
    “I said...do you want to get something to
eat? I’m starving,” Katie stood up.
    Ty stood up, too. “Okay, if that’s what you
want.” He pulled her close again and she froze. His lips touched
hers but they weren’t Drew’s. She wanted to cry and she wanted this
party to be over.
    “What’s wrong, Kate? Did I do something
wrong?”
    “Don’t ever call me Kate! Do you hear me?
Don’t ever call me that!” Katie started to cry. She ran up the
path, through the fence and jumped into the pool. The water felt
cool and soothing. She wanted to just sink to the bottom and stay
there. The next thing she knew she felt arms around her, and
someone pulling her to the top.
    “Are you nuts? What are you doing?” Ty gazed
at her with hurt eyes.
    “I’m sorry, Ty. I can’t do this. I can’t be
who you want me to be. Please, let’s just stay friends. Promise me
you’re not mad at me,” Katie’s words tumbled out.
    “I’m not mad at you. I can wait. I know
you’ll feel different eventually. I will be so irresistible that
you won’t be able to stop yourself.” He swam away and joined his
friends.
    Katie swam to the side of the pool and got
out. She grabbed a towel from the pile and sat on the side of the
pool with her legs in the cooling water. She watched a group of
people play volleyball. Ty was in the middle of it. The girls
seemed to love him, Erin especially. She seemed to conveniently
fall into him whenever she could.
    Take him, Erin. He’s all yours. Katie got up
and dried off. She headed for the deck and sat on the step.
    “Where have you been? I was looking for you.
Did you hear about