Chapter 9
Did I hear that correctly or am I going crazy? We are standing in a busy hallway so his words could have gotten muddled by all the surrounding noise before they got to me. It sure sounded like he wanted to hang out. Today.
“Um, I have work,” I say.
He shrugs. “I have soccer practice until five thirty. When are you off work?”
Is this really happening? “Six thirty.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Wow. I think it is happening.
I nod dumbly. “Okay, well, do you know where I live?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not a stalker, so no.” He grins and hands me his phone. “What’s your number?”
I type in my number and call it so that I’ll get his number, too. My fingers are shaky as I hand his phone back. This is unexpected, but when it comes to finding out who ruined my greenhouse, it’s actually a great thing. It helps that Gavin is crazy hot, and also taller than me. Even if I wasn’t on a mission to solve the mystery of my greenhouse, how could I say no to spending the evening with him?
He flashes me a smile that makes my knees go weak as he puts his phone back in his pocket. I’m trying to play it cool but I no doubt look like a grinning fool right about now. Who cares. Gavin Voss just asked me out.
Or did he?
Is it a date or just a friend thing? I’m not about to sound like an idiot and ask. I’ll just play it by ear, and maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll lead me right to the person on his soccer team who needs to pay up for my greenhouse.
I realize he’s still walking with me as we round the corner into the math hallway. I hate how much I enjoy having someone to walk next to me. “Don’t you need to get to class?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I like taking the long way.”
When I get to my next class, he bumps into me with his shoulder. “Have a good day.”
“Thanks,” I say, looking up at him and wondering how I got so lucky. “You too.”
When Shawn asked me out it was because we had mutual friends who kept saying we’d make a good couple. Once I got that thought in my head, I’d gone heavy on the flirting in the hopes that he would feel the same way. Eventually, it worked. I was happy being with him, but it’s always more romantic if a guy likes you first. For the first time in my life, it’s starting to feel like that’s what’s happening.
I’ve had guys approach me over the years, mostly back in junior high when I wasn’t so tall yet, but none of them were ever that great. They were mostly guys who annoyed me. Shawn was my first real boyfriend, and I never thought I’d attract the attention of someone like Gavin. But it kind of feels like I just did.
*
I think about texting Livi all during second and third period, but then I decide that news this juicy needs to be told in person. It sucks that we don’t have lunch together this year, because that’s the only time we have to unwind during the day. Instead, I sit with Erin, who is Livi’s cousin. She’s a sophomore with the same blonde hair as Livi, but she keeps hers cut short in a bob. She’s also crazy smart and participates in every nerd club they have at school. But she’s a good friend who never spreads gossip, so although I wish Livi were here with us, at least I have someone to hang out with during lunch.
“Someone keeps staring at her phone,” Erin says, giving me a curious look as she takes a bite of her sandwich. “Anything good on Snapchat?”
I shake my head. “I’m just bored.” The truth is that I can’t stop thinking about how I now have Gavin Voss’ phone number saved and he has mine. I kind of wish Shawn could see me now, hanging out with a guy who is better than him.
Just like how Shawn’s new girlfriend Mindy is better than me.
I shove the thought away and turn my attention to the pizza I got for lunch.
My phone lights up.
Gavin:Hi there
I look up. I don’t know where Gavin sits, or if he’s even in this lunch period, but it feels like I’m being watched. Slowly, my eyes drift over the tables until I find one with a bunch of jocks scarfing down tons of food. Gavin is staring right at me. He’s flocked on both sides by his friends, but none of them are paying attention to him. He grins and types something on this phone.
Gavin:You should come sit with me
I swallow the bite of food in my mouth and glance over at Erin, who is busy trying to open her can of soda without messing up her manicure.
