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“No, it's brand new,” she argues, looking to Elliot for assistance.
“I…I don’t think…it’s new…” he tries to break it to her gently.
“What!” she exclaims. “How have I never noticed it before? I go to the used bookstore all the time…” she trails off thoughtfully.
“You’re a little oblivious sometimes, Mads,” Elliot smiles at her.
“Rude,” she says, pointing a finger at him.
“You want me to lie to you?” Elliot jokes back.
She groans. “Whatever.”
“But yeah sure, let’s try the brand new taco place that has been open for years. I’m sure it will become our new favorite,” I joke and Maddie shoves me playfully.
SEVEN
THEN, FALL, 5 YEARS AGO
Maddie and I really have our college routine down to a science now. On the days that we are home in the evening together—when I’m not working at the local restaurant and Maddie isn’t tutoring or something—we have family dinner, just the two of us.
We watch trash reality TV shows, do school work together, and take turns cooking dinner. Last night Maddie attempted to make rice and beans, and it was a comical outcome. I have never tasted such dry beans and such soggy rice, but I ate every bite because I knew she was so disappointed in herself.
“Your mom makes it look so easy,” she had said, which made me laugh so hard I almost choked on said dry beans.
Since I am running a bit late this morning and forgot to make myself coffee, I rush to the campus coffee shop and grab one to go before walking to class. I am going to be late by a few minutes, but I know my professor won’t care. He barely shows up on time as it is.
I hear a slightly familiar sound as I’m walking and then someone starts shouting. I keep walking, ignoring whoever is being way too obnoxious this early in the morning.
I’m almost to my building when the shouting gets louder. “HEY!”
I turn, realizing the shout is much closer than it had been before. Hayden is approaching quickly on his skateboard—apparently reckless is a part of his personality. I jump aside, worried he’s going to crash into me again, but he slows himself down, and stops smoothly and gracefully right in front of me.
“Oh, so you can operate that thing,” I greet him as he kicks the skateboard and it flips up into his hand.
“I,” he starts, sounding a bit winded, “have been looking for you.” He smiles and I narrow my eyes at him.
“Want to run me over again?”
“No, I want to know your name,” he says confidently, which almost makes me smirk, but not quite. “I need to know your name.”
“Why?” I question him.
“So I know what to call you when I ask you, nay…beg you, to go out with me,” he says with a smile.
My mouth parts slightly, not expecting that. But I close it quickly and regain my composure before saying, “That’s pretty forward.”
He shakes his head, “No, no. I don’t mean to be like, pushy. But I’ve looked for you all over campus for weeks and I can’t let you get away again.”
I stare at him, expecting him to cut our eye contact because that’s what most people do when I’m staring them down, but he doesn’t. He holds my gaze with a smile, a real smile, until I finally ask, “Do you always just say what you’re thinking?”
“Yes,” he answers, that grin lighting up his whole face. I find the little chip in his tooth, which for some reason I really like. “So?”
“So, what?”
“What’s your name?” Hayden asks, eyes locking on mine and his smile faltering just a bit as desperation and worry fill his eyes.
I sigh, staring at him for a few more moments before I finally let out a breath. “Ana.”
