“Besides, I said I wouldn’t tell her. Why, have you?”
“No!” I say. “I feel like I should tell her. I don’t like keeping things from her.”
“This is not a big deal,” Oliver says.
I feel my skin get hot. Maybe it’s not a big deal to him, but it is to me. “You’re right,” I say. “We can be friends too. Except, you know how Ruby is — she can be possessive.”
Oliver doesn’t respond for a moment. “She doesn’t own you, Eve.”
“I know,” I snap. “Sorry. That was rude.”
He shrugs and glances at his phone. “My mum’s picking me up.” His tone is lighter. “Do you have a ride home?”
“Yeah,” I say, pointing to the carpark on the left. “My mum. She’ll be here.” She’s always early.
“Do you want me to walk you to the car?”
“Because it’s so dark?” I ask.
“No, I just love walking to carparks.”
I stare at him, before realising he’s being sarcastic. “Okay. Actually, no!” I add. If Oliver walks with me, Mum will see and my lie will be exposed. “I’m okay. Thanks for the offer though.”
He must think I’m psycho. “Alright. Well, thanks for coming.”
“Thanks for inviting me,” I reply. This is the moment something romantic would happen if this was a romantic date. But now I know for certain that Oliver and I are only friends. The reason he asked me out was because of some weird jealousy. Jealousy over Ruby? Jealousy over Noah?
Oliver’s smile fades when I take a step back. “No worries. Er … get home safe.”
“You too.” I sound calm, but I want to run away. “Thanks again. This was fun.”
We say our goodbyes and wave, and I turn around and walk to Mum’s car as fast as I can while still looking sane. That whole interaction was excruciating. My heart is beating hard, rattling in my ribcage. Disappointment simmers throughout my body.
10
Noah: Let's Date
Usually, I spend Saturday evenings with the boys. Kaito invited us to his, and I was going until I found out that Tiana and her friends were coming too. Which meant Alison. Which meant Alison and Henry. So I made up an excuse and have spent the past couple of hours brooding.
I wish I was the type of person who thought about important things like climate change or my future, but I lay on my bed, stare at the ceiling, and daydream about a happy ending where Henry shows up at my door and asks me to be his boyfriend.
Or maybe I’d be the one that asks him, and he smiles and says yes.
Nah, I like the first version better. Me asking him is too terrifying.
My phone buzzes, and I wonder if the universe is granting my wish. I lean over and pick my phone from the bedside table, but it’s not Henry.
Eve: NOAH. SERIOUS IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Despite the ludicrous disappointment I feel, I’m also pleased. Eve texting me is a distraction I’ll take.
Noah: What is it?? Is something wrong?
Eve: So. I have a situation, and I need your opinion. Why would a guy ask you out to a date if only to emphasise that you two are friends?
I push myself off my bed and pace the room.
Noah: Wait, do u like someone?
