A Junkyard Date with Madison

Three weeks into the outbreak, and you're worried about a first date.

Sure, there are better things to worry about. The front gate has a hole the size of a trashcan lid from a fallen tree branch in the storm two nights ago. Rainfall has left muddy puddles throughout the junkyard, and the number of mosquitoes has tripled. Your group has one week of rations left, but do you ever have more than that? Yet, here you are, piecing together a picnic for a date with the hottest girl from Chipper Ridge High School.

How did you ever land her anyway? Oh, right, you saved her and her brother from certain death at the hands of bandits and zombies.

With your picnic basket packed, you wait by the main gate. It doesn't take long for you to see Madison walking the main road with Brody and Bailey back to your haven. An AR-15 rifle hangs from her back as she shambles along the road like her own version of the walking dead. You quickly open the gate and watch her take the last steps of her scavenging mission. She's dressed in black leggings, a tank top, and a baseball cap. Her shoulders are slumped, and her hair is pulled back in a long braid, almost undone.

"Hey," she says, above a whisper. "What's that?" she asks, pointing to the basket.

"I know you just got back from scavenging, but I thought you'd want something to eat. Plus, I have a treat for you set up somewhere..."

She looks back at Bailey, who smiles at her and shrugs. Madison looks at you and can't help but crack her own smile. "Okay, sounds interesting. I'm going to take a quick shower. Can I meet you back here in an hour?"

---

An hour later…

You sit just outside the RV, which you have set up as your personal quarters at the junkyard. Madison shows up on time and looks like the Madison who first caught your eye after seeing her that first day of high school. She's changed from the leggings into cutoff denim shorts and a pink camisole top. She wears a platinum necklace with her birthstone, an opal she scavenged from a jewelry store. Her hair is down and hanging off her shoulders, and she wears light makeup.

"Here I am," she says, stopping before you. Before long, you smell the sweet scent of honey and orange. "What exactly do you have planned?"

You take her hand and lead her across the junkyard and back out of the main gate. She seems suspicious as you lead her to the natural path toward Sapphire Lake. The sun is setting, painting the sky with warm shades of orange and pink and casting long shadows on the ground.

As you approach the lake, she sees a blanket spread on the grassy bank overlooking the water. A small table from the main house sits on the side of the blanket with a bucket of ice and sparkling cider inside it. Two long-stem glasses, silverware, and dishes are set on the blanket.

Madison squeezes your hand, a smile spreading across her face. "You did all this?"

"I did it while you were out with Brody and Bailey. You deserve it."

She takes your hand in both of hers and hurries ahead to sit on the blanket. She kicks off her sandals and faces the lake. "It's so beautiful."

The lake is calm, and the trees on the opposite shore are reflected on its surface. You sit next to her, open the basket, and take out a few containers of treats. "There are little sandwiches I've made, slices of cheese and pepperoni, different crackers, and even those dried fruits you like." You make her a plate and place it on her lap.

"I can't believe this. I haven't felt this happy in a long time." She looks down, and though she's smiling, her eyes look heavy with tears.

You place a hand on her back, rubbing it gently. "You deserve to feel happy. We all do, even with all that's going on."

She looks up at you, her eyes shining. "You're right," she says, her voice catching. "I don't expect anyone to show me this much attention. Not anymore."

You smile at her, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "I knew you all throughout high school but never had the courage to ask you out. I had a crush on you for years. I have a lot of time to make up, so you'll have to deal with a lot of attention."

She leans in and kisses you. It's quick, but you feel a twinge of excitement that will take long to fade.

As the two of you eat the snacks you prepared, you talk about everything and nothing, relishing the peacefulness of the moment. Your eyes rarely leave Madison, admiring how the setting sun casts a warm glow on her skin.

As the sun dips below the horizon, you pour the sparkling cider into the glasses and hand her one. "To us," you say, clinking your glass against hers.

"To us," she replies.

You move behind Madison, wrapping your arms around her waist. She rests her head on your chest, and together, you stare at the lake's calm waters. For that time, the world fades away, and it's just the two of you. In this hopeless world, love can still exist, and you feel grateful to have found it in Madison.