Can you pretend I’m in the shower or I’m getting dressed in your room or something? Just come up with some excuse for her to not be able to see me when she drops the shirt off.
Oliver
Or you could just come over so you’re actually here when she gets here.
Priscilla
There’s no time for that. She’s already on the way.
Oliver
Don’t you think she’ll notice your car isn’t here?
Priscilla
Shit. You might have a point.
Oliver
You live closer than she does. If you drive fast enough, you might be able to beat her.
I groan. I send one last message to tell him I’m on my way. I run into my room and throw on some clothes. My poor boobs protest me putting my bra back on. My whole body protests me leaving my apartment when I was all settled in for the night and ready to go to bed just a few minutes ago.
I get in my car and step on the gas. I drive well over the speed limit and hope I don’t get pulled over on the way. About halfway there I notice Tina’s car stopped at a red light. I slow down, keeping my distance so she doesn’t recognize my car. When the light turns green, I follow her carefully. She turns into Oliver’s neighborhood. I turn in behind her, but I take a different street and then step on the gas, flooring it. I make it to the end of the street in record time, then turn and double back to Oliver’s street. I pull up in front of his house just as I see Tina’s headlights turning the corner. I pull my key out of the ignition and turn off my headlights. I don’t have time to get out of my car without Tina seeing me, so I duck down instead. I send a text to Oliver as her car pulls up in front of mine.
Priscilla
Tina and I got here at the same time. I’m hiding in my car but I need to get inside the house without her noticing me.
Oliver
I’ll open my bedroom window. Come around the side and then crawl in and pretend you’ve been in there the whole time.
I hear a car door slamming. A moment later, I can hear the sound of Tina’s footsteps as she walks past my car. I hold my breath, staying as still as possible and hoping that she doesn’t look in and see me. When I can’t hear her walking anymore, I pop my head up to look out the window. She’s approaching Oliver’s front door. He opens it and she steps inside. Once the door is closed behind them, I open my car door quietly and step out, ducking down in case Tina looks out the window. I sprint across Oliver’s front yard, then sneak along the side of his house until I find his bedroom window.
It’s higher than I thought it would be. I jump up and grab onto the windowsill, but I’m not quite strong enough to pull my whole body up. I knew I should have spent more time in the gym.
I let go and land on my feet. I pull my phone out and send a text to Oliver.
Priscilla
Is there another way in? Your window is too high.
Oliver
Hang on.
I can hear his and Tina’s voices inside. Then I hear the sound of a door closing nearby. A moment later, Oliver appears at the window. When he sees me, he bites back a laugh.
“It’s not funny,” I complain.
“It kind of is.” He covers his mouth with his fist.
“Are you going to help me up, or what?”
He leans out, extending his arms down to me. I reach up and grab onto his forearms. My fingers close around his firm muscles. I can feel the veins that pop out on his warm skin. While I hold onto him, he grabs onto my arms and pulls. He makes it seem so effortless, like I don’t weigh anything at all. When I reach the window, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me all the way through. My chest is flush with his, my face cradled in the crook of his neck. I don’t say a word even though I’m sure I can manage to make it the rest of the way through on my own at this point. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I want to stay in his arms. My feet touch the floor. He lets go of me, but he doesn’t step away. He’s so close that I can still feel the heat of his body.
I tilt my chin up to look at him. His eyes are on mine. I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or if his face is coming a little bit closer to mine, or maybe I’m the one doing all the moving. Before I can lean in any closer and make a fool of myself, the bedroom door flies open.
