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I don’t need more stress in my life. Eloise is enough.
“Look,” I begin again. “I like him. He’s sweet and really cute. And he’s only gotten more muscular over the last year…but I don’t need someone holding me back. Once I’m eighteen and have some money in my savings, I’m out of here and I’m not looking back. If we were involved, it would ruin it.”
“Or…” she stretches out the syllable.
“Or?”
“He could make it better? You’ve never really had anyone before. Maybe he could be an ally. Help you get out of your situation.”
“He’ll be in Texas.”
“Texas? Yikes. So he’ll be far…”
“Yup, far.” I lean back and spin in my desk chair. "I just don’t think it’s worth it.”
“I get it. But there’s no harm in lunch, right?”
No, there is no harm in going to lunch with him. Or hanging out in the summer. As friends, of course.
◆◆◆
Sean is standing in the same spot as yesterday—but alone this time.
“Hi,” he greets. “I was thinking we could get burgers today. What do you think?”
“New City?”
“Best place in town, and it’s not that far of a walk.”
“Okay.” I smile. “Let’s get burgers.”
It’s not as nice as it was yesterday; it’s all gloom today. I pull my cardigan tighter around my waist.
Sean notices, narrowing his eyes at me.
“I run cold,” I explain.
He nods.
He’s only in a t-shirt, but seems perfectly content. He must think I’m crazy.
“I can’t believe we graduate in just a few weeks.”
“Oh, I know,” I reply. “It’s kind of surreal. We won’t ever have to walk these halls again.”
“Have to?” He laughs. “You make it sound like it was so horrible.”
Is he the only person in existence to have actually enjoyed high school?
The actual school part—sucked. I only liked it because it was when I could actually interact with people. Eloise keeps me in tight quarters year-round, so school is my only escape.
“It wasn’t horrible per se, just not great.”
“You’re a pessimist, aren’t you?” His head tilts, getting a good look at me.
Has he not already figured that out about me over the years?
“At least I’m not an unrealistic optimist,” I tease.
