Silence.
I die a little inside.
Then...
A slow grin. Dimples.
Kill me now.
I turn on my heels and bolt, leaving my dignity on the floor by his feet.
9
SOPHIE
By lunchtime, I’m practically bouncing with excitement. I’m dying to tell Sal about my exchange with Mr. Hayes. Sal is the only person who’s ever truly supported my art. Not because she gets it… she doesn’t. But because she getsme.
There’s a difference, though. Between loving something for someone’s sake and actually understanding the deeper meaning behind what they do and admiring it. That’s why it felt different today, with him. I felt seen.
We meet in our usual spot, an old, wooden bench that’s seen better days in the school courtyard. The wood creaks under us like it might give out at any moment. Above us, bare bradford pear tree branches stretch towards the sky. In spring when it blooms, the smell is enough to drive us away, but in winter, this place is ours.
Sal digs into her navy blue tote, a bag so worn it might as well have tenure at this school, and pulls out a stash of snacks. My stomach grumbles a thank you in reply. “Feast, my friend,” she says, tossing me a bag of my favorite spicy chips. Her momcalls her tote her “emotional support bag,” and honestly, she might be onto something there.
We inhale our chips, the crunch filling the silence between us, before I finally explode.
“So, you’ll never guess what happened today.” I look at her with wide eyes, anxious to spill. “The drawing I told you I was doing for Mr. Hayes? Helovedit.”
I pause for dramatic effect. “And—not only that—he offered to show it to a friend. Who owns a gallery. In the city.”
Sal’s eyes go wide. “Babe, that’s huge! I knew he liked you.”
I groan. “Oh my god! That’s not—ugh. Sal!” I stick my tongue out at her, teasing her right back.
“Fine, fine,” she says, her hands up in surrender. “But admit it. There are still feelings there, right? I see the way you look at him…” She leans in close, her voice softer now.
I nod my head. “Yeah. And I know that’s totally insane to say about a teacher, but… I don’t know. It's just different with him. I know it was only one night, but the way we connected is something else entirely.”
Leaning into my side, she makes a kissy face at me before turning serious. “I love that for you. And I don’t think it’s crazy. Sometimes we find solace in strange places.”
I quirk a brow, and look around the courtyard. “Is that a quote from somewhere? Where did my best friend go?”
She sighs dramatically. “Uh… I can be deep, you know.” Then she smirks. “But yeah, that was a quote.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Alright, Ms. Philosopher. Enough about my love life. If we’re still going to that party this weekend, I need something to wear. Shopping date?”
“Yes! I’d say let’s ditch and go now, but I have a test fifth period. Meet me after the last bell, though. I know a boutique that has the cutest stuff.”
“Deal!” I say, crumpling my now empty chip bag. “I just had a few babysitting jobs, so I’ve got money to burn.”
After school, Sal and I head for some much needed retail therapy. We pull up to the boutique and I immediately groan. In the window, shapely mannequins pose in dresses that can barely be called clothing. I roll my eyes.
“Oh, hell no.” I say, crossing my arms. “I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing any of that!”
Sal’s already cackling. “Oh, come on, you grandma! I’m sure we can find something to fit your old-lady taste. If not, there are plenty of other stores nearby.”
Grumbling, I put the car in park and hop out, locking it once Sal does the same. “Fine. I knew I shouldn’t have let you pick.”
Sal, as usual, takes charge the moment we enter the store. The air is thick with the overwhelming clash of competing perfumes. She marches up and down the aisles, yanking dresses, skirts, and tops from the racks and piling them into my arms until I’m more fabric than human.
