Dylan stares at me, waiting for my answer with his arms crossed and a towel over his shoulder.
“He was just a customer.” A good-looking customer, but I leave that part out. Hoping that he doesn’t push this any longer, he uncrosses his arms and reverts to his normal mood. “You’re free to go after you clean up the shaker cup, Jared’s almost here.”
I nod at him and begin washing the cups, thinking about my first day of public school after God knows how long.
My thoughts drift off, thinking about what just happened. Tyler’s cute.
Wait, did I just make a fool of myself? He seems nice, but why does it feel like I stumbled over my words? Should I have said something more to keep him around longer? Had I looked at him weird? I probably had. Did I smile too much?
“Bring it down a notch,” I scold myself. It was a random meeting, he was just a customer ordering a drink… one of my favorite drinks, but he seemed friendly.
I consider the possibility that I could have been more flirty. But, being honest, I don’t know how to flirt other than from what Alli has taught me when she used to read Teen Vogue.
I’m overthinking again. It wasjusta casual interaction, right? He was just a customer. I’ll probably never see him again. Besides, he might not even be my age too. Hitting on older men is not it for me. Though, he did have a nice smile... and a nice tattoo…Wait, what am I thinking?
I shake my head to get a grip on life. I let my thoughts run around even more about typical teenager things. What am I going to wear for my first day of school? Will my teachers like me? Am I going to join a club?
Fuck, I need to start thinking about colleges and make a commitment somewhere.
I applied months ago to multiple schools for early decision, just because I could and needed something to do one day. There’s no dream school for me if I’m being honest. I kind of applied anywhere, hoping anyone would accept me. My Aunt Lina, who unofficially dotes herself as my guidance counselor during my homeschool days, always reminds me that my academic records are top-tier and I’ll get accepted anywhere. I didn’t really believe her, I mean, I had no other references, so I applied to any school that came to mind, with no thoughts or plans.
Apparently, though, she was right. Over the last few months, I started to receive early acceptance letters. I have a few more schools to hear from, but it’s super overwhelming to know that three schools are offering me a spot already. Meanwhile I barely know which extracurricular activity I’ll be joining at school.
I never gave much thought as to what I wanted to do at college. Aunt Lina suggested marketing, because I have a little bit of experience from Boba Republic. My godmother suggested something relating to math, because I’m decent with numbers. But I’m eighteen years old. I want to live my life before getting shoved into the adult world and fending for myself in higher education.
I basically missed my entire adolescent life because I chose to be homeschooled at fourteen. I dealt with unwanted attention from my classmates who just wanted to make my life a living hell, and it really did a number on me. No matter how I tried to handle it, it just made me feel worse about myself. At fourteen, I should be worrying about going through puberty, not if they’re going to glue my chair and fill my locker with trash.
There’s no more homeschooling now; it’s time for me to venture out before I’m an adult. Although I’m a senior, I can think about college later, right?
What would my dad say?
Go to college, study, and get a good job.
Something he would tell me when I was like, what, ten? At fifteen, something changed his mindset.
“Serena, I want you to live your life. Whether you go to college, travel the world, or anything really, I want you to live. I mean it, like trulyliveyour life.” He had said while holding me from both my shoulders.
I didn’t understand what he meant at the time. Ever since two weeks later, when he passed away because of a drunk driver, his words have been permanently engraved in my mind.
And I vow to live my life with no regrets.
Chapter 2
Tyler
Why can’t I get this girl out of my head? We had spoken for ten minutes, tops. Even her name was catchy, Serena, like one of those trendy songs that’s stuck on repeat in my head. I hear a honk from behind me and notice the light had turned green a while ago.Seriously, man? Fleeting meeting and I can’t stop blushing like a schoolboy.
I physically slap myself. “Snap out of it, dude. You’re on a dating hiatus.”
And I have a legit reason for it. Dating is like navigating a maze blindfolded in this generation. It’s fucking confusing with no insight or map on how to have a serious relationship. Most people my age are into hooking up, no strings attached. They’re not looking for anything serious with college around the corner.
Me? I’m in it for the right reasons. I can’t stand hook up culture.
The last girl I was seriously into… I thought we were on the same page, in aserious relationship, but turns out, we weren’t evenin the same book. It was a real dumpster fire, burned my hopes, wasted my time, and even had me changing my Netflix passwords.
And so, all my efforts during last year went down the drain, just like that.
I stroll through the front door, not in any rush, until I hit the brakes at my dad’s office. The heart of our home–Dad’s territory. The man’s a senior accountant, and that room is his safe haven after work hours. He’s dedicated to his job, which I admire and gather that’s where I get my drive from.
