But then I get a text back from Ryne, about halfway through chemistry.
You’re welcome.
He included a taco emoji and a sock emoji.
And I can’t stop smiling.
* * *
My eyes areheavy as I read the same paragraph in my psychology text for the fifth time, still not absorbing a single word. Study hall right after lunch is always a bit of a gamble as far as how alert I’ll be, but I’m particularly sleepy today.
Evie surprised me by running us to her house for tacos at lunchtime. She prepped everything this morning before school, including cooking the taco meat, so within a matter of minutes of arriving we were chowing down on tacos, refried beans, and chips and guacamole. When we got back to school, Trisley and Noah surprised me with cupcakes. Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and chocolate chips on top. So of course I had to eat two and split the third one with Noah. But who’s counting? I have the best of friends. I also have about five seconds until I slip into a food coma. I am completely stuffed.
My phone lights up while I pause my not-actually-reading to decide if a slap to the face will keep me awake. It’s been getting a lot of action today. My phone, that is, with birthday messages. Sadly my face is still lacking in the whole getting much action thing. The torturous bliss that was Ryne owning my mouth, kissing and licking me at homecoming, was the last action I saw. I unlock my phone and see who the latest message is from.
RYNE: Are you busy tomorrow morning?
My eyebrows skyrocket and I’m wide awake now. What is with today and all the surprising moments? Not that I’m complaining.
ME: No, why?
RYNE: Can I steal you for a few hours?
He could steal me forever, just saying.
ME: Sure.
I’m trying to remain cool, calm, and collected because for all I know he might just need to show me something at school for soccer. I will definitely not get my hopes up.
RYNE: I’ll pick you up at your house at 9.
ME: Sounds good.
I will definitely try not to get my hopes up.
RYNE: Wear something you won’t freak out about if it gets messy and comfortable shoes.
ME: Ok.
My hopes are up.
* * *
“Mom, no, jeez, stop.”I wave my hands around to get her away from my hair. She steps back with a huff.
“I was just fixing a flyaway, sweetie.”
“It’s not a flyaway, Mom! I meant for that piece to be like that.”
She rolls her eyes and walks into the kitchen. I follow behind her and take a seat at the kitchen table while she pours herself some coffee. She keeps glancing over her shoulder at me and smiling, not hiding it very well at all.
“What, Mom?”
Leaning against the counter she takes a sip after blowing on the hot liquid. “This is that boy you were telling us about, the boy from soccer camp?” I nod and pour chocolate milk into my Cheerios and dig in. Ryne will be here in about fifteen minutes. “It doesn’t sound like he dislikes you or is mad at you anymore.”
Wiping my mouth on a napkin I shrug. “We’re in more of a neutral territory now.”
Mom sets her mug down on the table, grabs the carton of chocolate milk, and pours a little into her coffee. “Taking you on a date doesn’t seem like neutral territory.”
