I open my door and grab my sweatshirt. It’s hot outside, but everyone always has their air-conditioning cranked so cold that I like to wear it indoors. As soon as I swipe it from my seat, something slides free and hits the pavement with a soft tap.
It’s my phone. The screen lights up, flashing bright.
Lottie’s name glows on it.
For a second, the world narrows to that single word, pulsing like a secret I didn’t mean to reveal. Then it dawns on me.
It’s not just her name
It’s a call, and it’s connected!
Somehow, I called her, and she’s on the other end.
I grab my phone, my fingers trembling, and slowly raise it to my ear. The line is dead silent as I speak quietly.
“Lottie, are you there?”
seventeen
Lottie
Bodanwalksmetomy car with his hands tucked into the pockets of his blazer. We stop beside my door. “Well,” he says, smiling in a careful way, “goodnight,girlfriend.”
“Goodnight,” I echo, cringing as I try to ignore that other word. I’m very aware of the keys clutched in my hand. The moment feels so unbelievably awkward. He reaches out and brushes a loose strand of hair away from my face. I get it—it’s a sweet gesture, meant to show me he notices me—but I turn my head at the same moment my phone rings.
He lifts his hand in a small wave, stepping back. “Text me tomorrow, and we’ll talk about the parade.”
“I will.” I climb into my car, shutting the door with more force than necessary, and answer the ringing phone.
“Hello?”
There’s silence.
Oh, wait—no. Muffled voices.
“Dude, I know she’s your sister, but I think about her all the time,”the voice says.“I tell myself it’s just a crush and it’ll pass …”It muffles for a bit and then cuts back in,“But then I see her like that, and it hits me that it’s not just a phase. It’s her. It’s always been her. For years. I don’t even remember a time when it wasn’t her—”
My stomach drops when I recognize another voice. Ham cuts him off, and I grip the phone so hard my knuckles ache.
I know the other voice too!
Oh, my!
That’s totally Ty!
Oh, my Ty!
I should not be listening to this!
What even is this?
Is this a prank?
Everything muffles again but I can’t stop listening. After a good minute, I hear, “Hello? Lottie, are you there?”
“No,” I say quickly, then burst out laughing because clearly, I’m here. “I mean, yeah, I’m waiting for you. You called me, but you didn’t say anything.”
“I didn’t call you,” Ty rushes out, but then adds in a cautious voice, “How long have you been waiting?”
