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Eli shrugs. “I like a little bit of everything. Mystery is probably my favorite. I really like horror too, though. And I love anything that has dark humor in it. Recently, I’ve even been reading comics, thanks to Payton. She got me into the Paper Girls comic series. She says I have to read all of them before she’ll watch the show with me.”
Payton. Just hearing her name makes my heart beat faster. I want to ask him something else about Payton. Anything to keep this conversation going and hear her name one more time. Unfortunately, he tells me he needs to go upstairs for his first class and says a quick goodbye before heading in that direction.
“Marjorie!” a voice calls from behind me.
When I turn around, I find Jocelyn running over to me. “Do you think we could get together and talk again tonight?”
Since sending me that text, I’ve gotten together with Jocelyn four times. That’s not counting the times I’ve seen her at my games or my house while she’s with my sister. She has a lot of questions about liking girls and coming out, and what it’s like when you are out to everyone, and I’m happy to help. It’s actually been a lot of fun hanging out with her. Hanging out with just the two of us has helped me to see her as someone other than just my little sister’s friend, and I’ve learned that she’s funny and sweet.
“I have basketball practice, then the team is having a pasta party to load up on carbs for our game tomorrow.”
“Oh, okay. No problem.”
I can hear the disappointment in her voice, and it makes me feel bad. “We have the same lunch, right? Want to eat quickly then meet in the locker room to talk? Anyone who has gym class will be in class at the time, so no one will overhear us.”
“That sounds great! Thank you so much.”
Jocelyn says goodbye and practically skips away from me.
***
As promised, I eat my lunch quickly then go to the locker room to meet Jocelyn. By the time I get there, she’s already sitting on a bench between the second and third row of lockers.
“How’s it going?” I ask as I sit down beside her.
“It’s good. Sorry for making you miss your lunch.”
“I didn’t miss anything. I’m happy to be here with you.”
I must have said something right, because a big smile spreads onto Jocelyn’s face. “Thanks. That’s sweet.”
“So, did you have something specific you wanted to ask me?”
Jocelyn stares down at her hands, flipping them back and forth as if she’s searching for something on them. “Yeah… I… I have a question. How…?” She takes a deep breath. “How do I tell a girl that I like her?”
I blow out a long breath as if I was the one to just breathe in deeply. “Oh man. That’s a tough one. I’m probably not the best person to ask about that. I don’t have much experience in the dating department.”
“Really?” Jocelyn sounds genuinely shocked. “But you’re so cool and pretty and popular.”
“I’m also extremely awkward if I like someone,” I admit with a laugh at my own expense. “The best thing you can do if you want something to come of it is just be honest. Tell her how you feel. There’s no tricks to it, unfortunately. Just say whatever feels right.”
“Got it. In that case, I—”
“Jazmin?” I don’t mean to cut off Jocelyn, but I’m shocked to see Jazmin in the locker room. Plus, I’m sure she doesn’t want anyone else to know whatever she was about to say to me.
Jazmin waves as she walks over to us. “What’s up, guys? You didn’t happen to see a math book in here, did you? I thought I left it here last night.”
I shake my head. “I haven’t seen it. Sorry.”
Jazmin looks from me over to Jocelyn, clearly looking for a response from her. Jocelyn clears her throat a few times and stares down at her hands again. “I haven’t either, sorry.” She quickly stands from the bench. “I actually have to go. I’m sorry.”
She’s out of the room before Jazmin or I can say anything else to her. Jazmin furrows her eyebrows and points her thumb back toward the door. “Did I say something wrong?”
“You’re fine. I think she just might have been worried you overheard our conversation.”
Jazmin wiggles her eyebrows, and I can tell she has the completely wrong idea. “Something I should know?”
“Not anything you’re thinking. Trust me.” My girl situation is already a mess. I don’t need Jazmin thinking there’s also something going on with me and Jocelyn.
