I think we’re meant to be.
Those words have been on replay since Tyler drove me home Saturday.
I’m choosing to not believe the universe is sending me signals that we are in fact meant to be. I’m ignoring the flashy, neon arrows that are clearly pointing out that I’m developing feelings for Tyler.
I’m ignoring all the signs.
I’ve been avoiding Tyler as much as I can since Saturday. We’ve been meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for our tutoring sessions, but I always cut them short with the excuse that I need to get ready for practice early since we have our first home game tonight.
He hasn’t brought up my bucket list since I told him about it. And I’m still questioning myself on why I really let him in. Maybe there’s some part of me, deep down under all my baggage, that wants him to help me.
I don’t dwell on these thoughts any longer, for the sake of my sanity. I focus on Ms. Chambers going over our study materials for our next test coming up. It’s a snooze fest, so I pass the time by doodling in my notebook.
My phone vibrates on my binder, and my eyes study the text.
Tyler:can we please have an emergency tutoring session today during study block?
I bite the eraser of my pencil, thinking if I want to say yes or not. If I say yes, I’m helping because I’m his tutor. If I say no, I’m keeping a safe distance between us.
Serena:sure!
I’m playing tug-of-war with myself and I’m very close to losing. Every time Tyler’s name comes up, I find myself thinking about him. I can’t help but second-guess the distance I wedged between us. There’s a part of me that wants to embrace the possibility of a deeper connection with him, while another part remains adamant about not getting too close, for the fear of getting hurt and having people leave me, again.
The door knocks, making everyone’s heads turn to it. Ms. Chambers continues on with her speech while heading towards the door. A handful of students barge in; a male student holds a Bluetooth speaker that’s booming That’s What I Like by BrunoMars, another male student hauling in a YETI cooler, and two more female students follow behind with clipboards.
Clipboard girl hands off a slip to Ms. Chambers, who scans the content and motions for the group to step inside. “Alright, class. This is the moment you’ve been waiting on all block,” she explains, strutting back to her desk. “Go ahead and give out the Cokes and Crushes.”
Oh right, that’s today.
I was expecting Alli to send me a Coke for fun, but she actually missed the deadline. So Grant, being the bestie he is, sent all of us Cokes so none of us felt left out. I also splurged on a couple of Cokes for them to show myamazingschool spirit.
I watch clipboard girls read off names from their list while YETI boy and Bluetooth boy help hand out various Cokes and Crushes to a few people in my classroom. My classmates are buzzing in anticipation to know if they’re getting a Coke or Crush. A few girls and boys get Cokes. Mostly the attractive guys are the ones to receive Crushes. Kevin Lim literally just had five delivered to him.
YETI boy and one of the clipboard girls stop at my desk, “Serena?”
I glance up, pencil down on my desk. “Yeah?”
The clipboard girl shows the YETI boy her clipboard and he starts digging through the cooler. “Here’s your Coke from GrantJohnson.” YETI boy hands me a chilled Coca-Cola can, which I happily accept because I fucking love Coke.
He goes rummaging through the cooler and hands me a Crush. “Oh, this one too.”
I raise a brow and accept it with confusion written over my face. “Uh, thanks. Who gave me this one?”
Clipboard girl reads through her clipboard. “Tyler Westman.” She announces loudly for the entire class to hear, before walking away to deliver the other sodas to my classmates.
Cue the staring and the quiet murmurs behind me.
“Are they a thing?”
“Tyler sent the new girl a Crush.”
“I guess he’s over Cassie.”
Never mind the stupid whispers. I’m still wrapping around the fact Tyler sent me a Crush. A Crush.
Class ends shortly after the Coke and Crush delivery. I’m sitting at my normal lunch table, waiting for the rest of my group to arrive. His earlier words are replaying in my head when I asked about the Coke or Crush event.
You send a Coke to a friend or a Crush to a person you like or someone you’re dating.
