“Later.” She strides off toward her next class and I have that feeling you get when you’re just buckled into a roller coaster. I don’t know where this is going, but I can’t wait to find out.
I was counting down the minutes until practice was over. I skipped my second gym session, which is unlike me, and took the world’s quickest shower, all so I could make it back home in time to hear from Paige.
Holy hell, I’m pathetic.
And I don’t even care.
It’s just the promise of a couple texts, but I’ve waited all day for them. I make short work of feeding Westley his crickets, and then I lie back on my bed and grab my phone.
I have zero chill. When a text comes through, I can’t help but smile, until I see that it’s my dentist telling me to schedule my next cleaning. Like the man-child I am, I forward it to my mom and ask her to call.
“Yo, Briggsy!” My door swings open and Herrera walks in. “You got any deodorant?”
“What the actual fuck? Of course I have deodorant.”
“Great. Where is it? I need to borrow some.”
“Borrow some? No. We do not share deodorant.”
“We do now,” he says, as he spots it on my dresser and helps himself. “I’ve got a date tonight and I just ran out. Thanks, man.”
Hockey players are gross. I know because I’m one of them, but still. My phone dings with an incoming text and if it’s anyone other than Paige, I might cry like a baby. Thankfully, the gods of texting are smiling down on me.
Paige:Hey, how was the rest of your day?
Spencer:Long, boring, fine. Yours?
Paige:Wow, try to contain your enthusiasm. My day was okay, but my study group sucks the joy from my soul. Don’t get me wrong, they’re nice people, but this stuff is boring as hell and they live for it. And I always feel like a freak because I don’t live for it. You know?
Spencer:Do I know what it’s like to feel like a freak? I’m a 6’ 4” ginger, so that’s a yes.
Paige:Nonsense! Your hair is amazing. We’ve been through this. And don’t play coy, Spencer. You’re hot and you know it. And I’d bet my titanium straightener that you’re blushing right now.
Spencer:I’m sorry. Spencer is no longer available. He’s passed the fuck out from sheer elation. Please stand by.
Paige:Haha.Listen, I have a serious question to ask. It’s been on my mind all day. Can you video chat?
Spencer:On it
There’s nothing she could ask that I wouldn’t answer honestly. I’m not one of those chatty guys, but I’d never omit information or hide anything from her on purpose.
I tap a few buttons and seconds later, her face appears on my phone screen. Her hair is up in a messy bun, her face is free of makeup and she’s wearing the same see-through tank top I can’t stop thinking about.
“What’s up,” I ask, truly curious. Hell, what if she wants to switch speech partners? I mean, she was super sweet today, but who wants to spend weeks coaching a guy who hates public speaking.
“Spence, remember when you ghosted me,” she says, all flirtiness gone, her vulnerability on rare display. “And I couldn’t figure out why.”
“I swear. I did not ditch you. I was getting towels.”
“I know that now,” she giggles. “But at the time, I figured you just weren’t that into me. Which, fine. It happens. I mean, you can still say hello to people you no longer want to have sex with, just saying... But fine. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. No one is, I guess. So, I let it go. But then, you sat next to me at the exact moment Winslow decided to pair us up with the people closest to us. Jesus. I about died. But I figured, eh, I can deal. I mean, I sort of thought you’d ask Winslow to change your seating assignment. But nope. You showed up. And you put your hands in a bowl of hair and you sent me texts and you kissed me again and I just couldn’t figure you out!”
“I know—” But she’s on a roll.
“And I hate when I can’t figure people out, you know? Like, that’s my thing. But I think I get it now.”
“Yeah?” I say, wondering if she really does. If she can really read me as well as she reads everyone else. Hell, half the time I can’t even figure my own self out.
“You’re shy,” she says plainly, as though it’s fully typical to be shy at nineteen instead of nine.
