“Yes.Fast-food.But this one is super flavorful, spicy, and kind of a mix of different toppings.They’re everywhere in Wayneth, really.Grab on the go!”I emphasized.“Iconic.”
She chuckled.“I should be tapping this passionate taco confession.”
I laughed back.“So yeah, that’s what I’m missing the most right now.My ultimate favorite food ever.”
A smile lingered on her lips.I turned my eyes elsewhere.We kept walking.She told me about Evermere’s high school, and I told her about my old school.I found out she also played the piano, and that she always made a wish on the last ray of sunlight at sunset.She found out I was superstitious about using the same pen for important things, and that I always brought the same black notebook with me.
And we carried on.
Long after all the flyers had disappeared from our hands.
Chapter11
Ella
September 18th, 1998
Friday
“Hey,” my sister Mira walked into my room.“I don’t know how you find the time to do everything.”She flopped onto my bed.“But I walked by the village’s main street this morning, it all looks really cool, I can’t wait for tonight, it’s going to be so much fun!”
I smiled at her.
Mira and I would bump heads sometimes.She used to chase me around with wooden spoons while I screamed, and I used to pretend there was a secret passage in a closet that only I could enter.We had a fun childhood.
But I would never let anyone come close to touching her with a finger or fire a single mean word at her without me stepping up as a shield.
“I’m glad you’re excited,” I said, turning to keep organizing my desk drawers.“If you want, I can give you a ride tonight.Mom’s going with the boys later and coming home earlier.”
“Well…” my sister began slowly, “don’t you have a date or something?”I looked at her, eyebrows furrowed, and she continued, “Because… you know… it’s Friday night.”
My sister was poking her nose into something, curious about whatever it was.I just knew she was going somewhere with it.She wasn’t just asking; she was implying something else.
“My friend Inez told me she saw you talking to a pretty cute boy a week ago,” she finally said.“She said you left the Village Oven together and that she didn’t recognize him from our school…” There it was: her nosy face.“Who is he?”
I sealed my lips, torturing her.“You’re so nosy, both of you.”
“How could we not!?”she yelped.“There’s a whole row of potential lovers ready to object at your wedding, and you won’t give any of them a chance.And now, you’re spotted with a mysterious, andcute,” she emphasized, “guy, and you won’t tell me who he is.”
“Alright, alright.”There was no way I could keep a straight face after my sister’s remark.She was too funny.If she didn’t exist, she would have to be invented.
“His name is Miles.He just moved here.We met at the CIC.He’s volunteering there too.And last Friday, when Inez saw us, we were actually busy with the final tasks for these end-of-summer festivities.”
“Hmmm…” She kept going with her inquisition.“So he doesn’t go to our school?”
“Now he does,” I answer.“Or beginning next Monday, he will.”
“So he doesn’t know anyone yet?”
“Yeah,” I said, not entirely sure of my answer.“I think he doesn’t.I think he’s never been to Evermere before.”
“So he looked lonely to you.And you can’t stand to see people feeling sad, unheard, or: lonely,” she stated.“And you had to make sure he felt welcome.”
“We did get along.He’s really nice,” I simply added, before returning to my desk and my spacious, messy drawers.
“Or,” she continued, with a playful suspicion, stepping in front of me to block me from fleeing the conversation, “were you just looking for an excuse to talk to him?”
“Mira,” I let out a laugh, “he’s just a guy I met the other day.Now, let me organize my room, clean my desk, get everything ready so I don’t have to worry about it during the weekend.”
