Chapter 26
Tate
“Look, Gabriella, I really like him.”Flush.
“Where are you?”she asks.
I excused myself to the restroom after my impromptu running and jumping into Levi’s arms, but that’s where it stopped.We might be in Los Angeles, but this is no movie.I look at the etchings in the plastic door in front of me: Molly loves James, Hi, and Call for a good time with an accompanying phone number.No, I’m not joking.
“Tate, are you there?”
I switch the phone to my other ear.“Yeah, I’m here.”
Gabriella has been gone for barely twenty-four hours and I feel lost.“What do I do?”
“About liking him?”
“Yessss,” I answer, dragging the word out.
“I’m not going to give you the birds-and-bees talk right now, if that’s what you’re—” There is a crumpling sound like the phone is being moved through fabric.I hear, “Yes, for two.Great, thank you.”The phone and I are then yanked from whatever dark abyss we were put into.“You still there, Tate?”
“I don’t need you to tell me about sex.That won’t be happening.Hey, where are you?”
“I’m on a date.”
“HOW!”I yell into the receiver, making the girl in the stall next to me jump.“You’ve been there for all of a day,” I whisper-yell.
“I work fast, which is why you only have two more minutes of my attention.Why aren’t we having sex with Levi?That boy’s body is...”
“Don’t finish that sentence, please,” I beg.
“Okay, but why?”
“Why do I not want to hear you use what I’m sure is very colorful vocabulary to describe the body of the person I like?”
“No.Why no sex?”
The question hangs between us among the background noise of someone yanking paper towels from the dispenser.It’s not like I’m ashamed or embarrassed.I made the decision a long time ago to wait until marriage, but it’s also not something I go around informing people of.I once told a “friend” in high school, and by fourth period the entire school knew, and I was dubbed Virgin Tate.I didn’t get asked on dates or to dances, which, I mean...good riddance, but also it was lonely.
“Tate, I have to go, but this conversation is far from over.”Gabriella’s tone is now motherly.“Talk to him.He likes you just as much as you like him.Whatever it is, I’m sure he would understand.”
“How am I supposed to talk to him about HIM!”I whisper-yell.
“Gotta go!”
Dang it!I pull myself up to a stand and unlatch the door.I’m greeted by my reflection; except she’s wearing all black.Tell him how you feel.I nod once to myself before heading out the swinging door of the restroom.
