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“You aren’t that bad either.”
The corner of my lip turns up.
“So,” he says, bringing his hands up to his face, framing his smile. “Will you drop me off at school? Because I hate taking the bus. They’re loud and cold, not to mention Lilly rides that bus. She keeps trying to talk to me, and I don’t know how to get her to leave me alone. One day at school, she talked to me all through lunch about sharks. I mean, I like sharks, but not thatmuch. I just know she’ll try and sit by me on the bus.” He waves his arms in front of him. “And, I swear, I won’t tell my mom.” He pretends to zip his lips and throw away the key.
My smile cracks into a full blown grin. He reminds me so much of myself. “Yes, you can come with us.”
Caleb comes jogging into the garage. He brushes his bangs back, but they’re just as unruly as ever.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to take so long,” he says. “Where’s the keys?”
I peer at Jordy and his reassuring smile, then back at Caleb. “I think I’m going to try driving today.”
Caleb crosses the garage and lets his hand brush my arm in question. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I think it’s time.”
“Okay, but if you need a break, just say the word.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I will,” I say.
He dips down to leave a soft kiss on my forehead. “I’m proud of you,” he whispers.
Butterflies fill my stomach from his touch. Part of me wishes we didn’t have to go to school. I would much rather stay home, hang out with Caleb, and spend the day wrapped up in his arms, but I know better. I need to graduate, which unfortunately—as so many people have reminded me—means I can’t miss any more school.
Jordy pulls his sleeve down over his hand before touching the car handle. “And you’re positive that this car will get us to school in one piece?”
I slap my hand on the hood. Dust blows up around it. “I promise it’ll be fine.”
He cringes as he gets in. “I hope you’re right.”
* * *
While I fully intended ondriving the entire way to school, driving at five miles an hour all the way there wasn’t realistic. I did make it to the end of the street, though.
That’s progress.
Neither one of the boys said a word, but I could sense the worry radiating off them. They wanted to be supportive but knew I was going to make us all late. It didn’t matter that I switched with Caleb, I was proud of myself.
“Can I hold your hand?” Caleb asks on our way into school.
I tuck a rogue lock of hair behind my ear as my cheeks flush. Then, I slip my hand into his, interlacing our fingers. He smiles, looking down at our hands. Then, he lifts them to his mouth and plants a kiss on my knuckles. My skin tingles from his soft lips.
“Is this worth no car?” I ask.
“Absolutely.”
“Don’t you miss the heated seats?”
“I’d choose you over them any day,” he says.
Right as we reach Caleb’s locker, Sadie shrieks behind us. She runs up, wrapping her arms around both of us, squishing us into a forced and awkward hug. “You guys are too cute!”
“Hello to you too.” I laugh.
“Did you love the dress?” she asks Caleb. “I mean, of course you did. Becca looked more dazzling than the Eiffel Tower itself in that dress.”
“It’s perfect,” he says.
