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My phone buzzes just after Jonah drops me off at my history class. My heart jumps with excitement as I slide out my phone and secretly check the screen under my desk. If it’s Jonah telling me he misses me already, I might melt into goo from all the sweetness.
My heart gets stuck in my throat as I look at the text. It’s not from Jonah.
Caleb:Hey boo, sry I was busy last nite. Wanna go out Friday?
Chapter 23
This day is going too well to let Caleb screw it up. I ignore his text. I even toss my phone in my backpack for the rest of the school day so I’m not tempted to check it. When the final bell rings, I sneak a look at it on my way to the library for tutoring. Caleb sent one more text, which was just a question mark. I smirk, satisfied that he’s waiting around on me for once, and turn the phone off.
Even though we are technically dating now, Jonah is in full tutoring mode when I enter the library. He already has my chemistry notes open with the history textbook stacked underneath that.
“What kind of grades do you have?” I ask curiously as I take my seat next to him. “I’m guessing you make all A’s.”
“I have a one hundred average,” he says, glancing down at the chemistry notes. “Want to study vocab first?”
“A one hundred in what?” I ask. “Which class?”
“All of them.” I would think he’s joking, but he looks right at me with all the seriousness he usually has.
“Wow,” I say, exhaling. “Now I’m even more intimidated by you.”
He snorts and shakes his head. “Nah, chica. Nothing to worry about. I’m the one intimidated by you.”
I forget all about Caleb’s stupid text while I study with Jonah. It feels a little weird to be so completely over the guy, since I crushed on him forever, but there’s something about ditching a girl on her birthday that makes you severely unattractive. Plus, the more time I spend with Jonah, the more I realize how great it is to be with a guy who actually cares about you.
Jonah insists on driving me home after tutoring, but I tell him he can only do this on tutoring days because I can’t leave April to walk home alone. He offers to bring her, but I tell him that’s a little too fast. April needs to warm up to someone first. Plus, I like my walks home with her. It’s our time to chat, relax, and enjoy the outside air. I wonder how much my life will change now that Jonah and I are a thing.
Since April’s not here, and since I’m already getting a ride, I have Jonah drop me off at The Magpie so I don’t have to ride my bike there. He kisses me in the parking lot, then grins at me as I reluctantly step out of his car. If it were up to me, we’d hang out all day, but I know the best way to have a good relationship is to give it some space. I can’t make him tired of me this soon.
Mom is engrossed in a book when I walk in the store. She’s sitting in one of the arm chairs in the break room, the hardback book just inches from her face.
“Hellooo,” I say in a singsong as I tap on the doorframe.
She jumps. “When did you get here?”
I laugh. “Just now. Are you reading the merchandise?”
“No,” she says, slamming the book closed. “Why? Is that unethical? If I read it but don’t bend the pages and I never take it out of the store, is it still brand new?”
“You’re going to have to figure that out on your own,” I say, laughing as I go to the front desk and let her keep taking a break. I also take out my phone for the first time since lunch, because although I forget about Caleb when Jonah is around, now that he’s gone, I’m wondering if Caleb has sent anything else.
And boy has he.
Caleb:????
Caleb:Did you get my text?
Caleb:Hello?
Caleb:this Friday… me and you.
Caleb:we’ll stay out late and I’ll show you a good time
Caleb:I’ll take your silence as a yes
My lip curls as I read his messages. What a disgusting pig.
Me:No need to blow up my phone. I had it turned off.
