“No, wait!” Fred exclaims. “Tell me! Did it work? The photos? Did she forgive you?”
“Not as well as I had hoped,” I sigh, the connection breaking up as we continue to trudge through broken branches and roots. “But I’m working on it.”
“That’s a shame,” he says, sounding just as disappointed, if not more than I am. “Maybe you need to—” The phone crackles. “And then take her—” More static. “Lo—”
“Hello?” I ask, looking at my phone screen, ‘no signal’ written on the top corner. “There’s no service here?”
“Not this far up,” Cliff explains, pointing his flashlight toward a glow in the distance. “Just call him back later.” Or when I have actual valuable information to share and not another failed attempt. “Okay, we’re here.” He stops in front of the most over-the-top setup I’ve ever seen. Christ, when did he have the time to organize all this? It’s insane. White lanterns, a plush blanket, mountains of snacks, drinks... I narrow my eyes. Are those rose petals? “Well?”
“Clifford,” I muse, letting out a chuckle as I pat his shoulder. “Mate, you are certifiably insane, did you know that?”
“Oh, fuck off,” Cliff says, tossing me a playful glare. “It might be a bit much, but girls love that stuff, okay? This—” He motions to his overt display of admiration. “This will get me a girlfriend.”
I purse my lips, my gaze bouncing around the romantic setting. So fucking mushy. Like, really lame.Superlame. I look up at the clear night sky that’s scattered with bright stars. You don’t see this many stars in the city. Barely any. I click my tongue, shaking my head. I guess it’s not thatlame. It’s actually quite nice here. Quiet. Private. Like a hidden oasis.
Perfect for a talk.
“Cliff?” I say, turning to face my flatmate. “Would you say that we’re friends?”
Clifford eyes me warily. “Yes?”
“Fantastic!” I state, turning on my heel. “I need to commandeer your date tonight. Thanks,friend.”
“Wait, what?” Cliff exclaims, jogging toward me. “What are you talking about?”
“Your set up,” I explain, using my phone as a light. “I need it.”
“No way!” Cliff protests. “I spend so long to—”
“Listen—” I stop, turning to face him. “Maxine’s into you, okay? You guys hang out like every day. You’re basically official, so you don’t really need all of that—” I point to the clearing. “Me on the other hand? That’s another story.”
“You think she’s into me?” Cliff asks. I slap a hand over my face. “What?”
“Girls don’t spend their free time with guys theydon’tlike,” I say, taking a breath. “You’re in, mate. You got the girl, I promise.”
Cliff ponders for a minute before finally saying, “Fine, you can have it.”
“Yeah?” I ask in a hopeful tone.
Cliff sighs. “If it’ll finally help you stop sulking every night, I guess why not.” He gestures to the path. “Well, go! Knowing Kenny, she might already be getting ready for bed.”
“Right,” I mutter, marching through the dirt, my stomach churning. Oh, fuck. What am I going to say to her? “Hey, Cliff?”
“What?” he grumbles.
“What should I... uh—tell her?”
“The truth would be a good start,” he offers. “Just be honest about how you feel.”
“The truth?”
“Is that a concept you’re not familiar with?” Cliff teases.
“Bugger off,” I huff, chewing the inside of my cheek.
Just be honest. Sure. I can do that. I can tell her how I feel. Easy. Totally easy. Not at all nerve-wracking. Gut-wrenching. Anxiety inducing. It’s cool. I’m cool. Completely and utterly cool.
“Watch out for the—” Cliff winces as I trip, staggering forward and almost falling on my face. “Rock.” He chuckles as I regain my balance. “Dude, you okay?”
