Danny left that room with the same feeling he had when he entered. Though he longed to be heard and to express his feelings for Mary, he knew it had no purpose - her heart belonged to someone else and he was leaving, there was nothing more to be done.

While coming down the stairs with Davey, he was so lost in his thoughts that once more he missed a pair of glittering eyes following his moving figure around the room. The eyes trembled when they realized he was leaving. As soon as the two boys were outside, a gentle touch on Danny’s arm made him turn around:

- H- hi! - The girl mumbled.

- Oh, hi! - Danny recognized her from school but thought that this was the first time that he ever heard her voice.

- I’m Johanna! We do- we used to do Physics together. – She said, nervously.

- Yes, I remember you! I’m Danny. – He responded, extending his hand.

- Yeah, I know. – She laughed a little, shaking his hand. – I wanted to ask you something actually.

- Oh, okay.

- W-would you, hm… Are you hungry?

- Not really, actually I - Danny blankly began to reply, instantly receiving a small bump on his shoulder and a knowing look from Davey. - I mean, uh… Yes, I am.

- Well… - She stopped for a second, like she was trying to find the right words. - Would you like to have dinner with me? Maybe at that diner around the corner?

The boy froze. Davey caught how Danny’s eyes seemed lifeless all of a sudden and tried to give him a hand: - Of course, he would! Right, Senator? You need to eat well before your trip. - The boy just quietly nodded, now staring at the girl, still puzzled at what her intentions could be.

She just gently smiled at him and he, as soon as he was conscious again, smiled back.

…………………………………………………….

The way to the diner took a little more time than he expected, considering that Danny had a problem with his car, but, with the help of Davey, soon they were on their way.

Sitting on opposite sides at the table, right after ordering their food, the girl tried to break the silence:

- So… You know what you’re going to do now? - She asked, shyly.

- Yeah! I received a job offer in another town. I’m actually leaving tonight! - Danny answered, excited.

- Oh… - She looked down for a bit, and Danny thought that her eyes seemed sad. - That’s great! I’m really happy for you. – Johanna gave him a blue smile and looked away.

- What about you?

- Me?… I don’t really know. - She said, looking thoughtfully through the window - I will probably just get a job, save some money and go someplace else… My aunt offered me a job in her store, maybe I’ll do that.

- Hm…You get along with her?

- Not really. - The girl smiled a little, finally looking at him again - But, I don’t have many options so…

Danny looked down at his hands under the table; they were trembling and slightly sweaty. - You don’t really need that much money to leave, you know?… You can just figure it out when you get to the place you’re going. – He said, focusing on how his fingers were shaking. When he finally raised his head, he saw how her eyes had changed - she seemed worried.

- Would you do something like that?… – Johanna asked, watching the boy’s eyes.

- No! I mean… I just said because you- but I wouldn’t… - He got anxious but decided he just didn’t want to talk about it. Danny knew it wasn’t the brightest idea but he had to leave. What choice did he have? Stay and forever be the “Senator”?… He wanted more, he was tired of who he was and who he knew he would become.

The girl just quietly gazed at him while he refused to meet her eyes. Soon the food came, but none of them touched it. Suddenly, her voice made his eyes find hers again:

-Did you know my mom died when I was a kid?…

Danny didn’t respond.

-She had breast cancer… Right after, my dad took me to live with my aunt for a year while he worked in another city and… She was just… – Johanna seemed to get distracted by her own memory for a second, Danny saw a tear leave her eye that she promptly wiped off - I used to cry every night, praying for something or someone to take me home. I thought that as soon as my father came to take me back, everything would be fine and I would feel safe and loved again but, when it happened… Nothing was the same. Not my house, not my father, not even me… And then, I realized that it didn’t matter where I went or who I was with, I will never be able to erase who I am now and what happened to me… – She looked at him, and her eyes were glittering with the tears she wouldn’t let go. – So, I might just have to make peace with that…

Danny didn’t know what to say, he just kept watching her. Catching his lost glance, Johanna smiled softly and said: - Don’t worry, you don’t have to say anything… But maybe we should really start eating.

The boy let a soft laugh escape and followed her advice. They mostly ate in silence, but neither of them were tense. Danny didn’t realize it, but his hand had stopped trembling for the first time since he left home that night.

…………………………………………………….

He offered to take her home and she accepted. As soon as he stopped at the front of her house, they both started to get nervous again:

- Well, hm… Thank you for agreeing to have dinner with me… It was really nice. – She said, trying to not stare at him much.

- Y-yeah, it was… I really enjoyed it. – He answered, while his mind tried to figure out the next step. Should he kiss her? That’s what people do, right?

- Hm… Anyway, good luck with your job and all. I hope I can see you again. – She smiled, opened the door, and left.

Danny froze again. Did he just blow it?

He hadn’t come back to his senses yet when she opened the door, sat, and started talking again:

- I know you like Mary. - She glanced at him and looked away quickly, embarrassed by her words. – I mean, most guys like her but you… You look at her in such a kind way… I don’t think even Davey ever looked at her like that. – She tried to stare at him again, but she couldn’t. – I know you think you’re invisible, that no one can really see you, but I do… I always did. And I… I like you, Danny. I like you a lot… Just the way you are. – Johanna finally found the strength to meet his gaze and once more, he was frozen.

In a sudden moment of courage, probably moved by the possibility that this was the last time she would ever be able to see him, she moved her face toward his and sealed his lips with hers. It was fast, but when she tried to move away, Danny softly held her arm. He silently thanked that impulse and tried to respond to her kiss in the best way he could. When she moved away, he still kept his eyes closed for a couple seconds, enjoying the electricity and warmth that was left from her. As soon as he opened his eyes, he found her sweet smile waiting for him and couldn’t stop himself from doing the same.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for reality to remind them that this was a goodbye. Johanna didn’t try to say anything and simply left a kiss on his cheek and left the car. Danny waited a couple minutes before starting the car again, in part hoping she would come back, but she didn’t.

He drove away but his thoughts would always navigate to the same place. When he got to the limits of the town, he stopped. Did he get everything he needed? “No”, the voice in his head responded.

Could he stay? Could he come back and pretend he never really planned any of this, say that someone else took the job and maybe take Johanna out again? Could he?… He closed his eyes and tried to imagine what his future looked like, waiting for clues that could guide him tonight.

When he fell asleep, it was as if all the air through the town got lighter.