That afternoon, I linger after school and open Locker 99 to find a letter.
R,
Well, the not-talking plan didn’t work. If it’s any reassurance, though, I didn’t recognise your voice. I’m guessing you didn’t recognise mine because I’m sure you would’ve had some sort of reaction.
I don’t know what else to write. People always act like kissing and sex are the best thing in the world, and I was always sceptical, but I’m starting to get it now.
I hate that it’s the weekend. Do you want to meet again next Monday?
-F
Sitting down at the same wooden table I used before, I write a response.
To F,
I didn’t recognise your voice either. I think it sounded slightly familiar, but I can’t place it, and maybe that’s me imagining things. To be honest, I’m glad we ended up talking. It’ll be easier to communicate that way. Not only when we’re doing…that stuff…but I also like talking in general. It sucks having to wait for you to reply to me, but it’s worth it. It’s thesame kind of feeling I got as a kid when I had to wait weekly for the next episode of my favourite TV show before streaming and binging were things. It’s something to look forward to. And I like having your physical handwriting in my hands.
Okay, now I’m writing weird stuff. To be honest, I think I’m still kind of dazed from this afternoon, so I might’ve temporarily lost my mind.
100% let’s meet on Monday. Same plan? I’ll come in at 1:10?
I still can’t believe this is happening. And I still can’t believe what we did. But I’m smiling as I write this. So.
See you then.
-R
Saturday flashes by in an instant. I spend six hours working at my family’s shop, and it usually drags by, but when I’m not serving customers, I indulge in daydreams about F, which makes everything go by faster.
On Sunday, I rock up to the mall at midday with my schoolbag full of subject folders. I’m going to try my best to study at the cafe, even though my friends will probably talk the whole time. While I’m not intending to go to university, I still need to get good enough grades to pass Year 12.
As I walk through the mall, past the cinema and a burger restaurant, I get a phone call from Ethan.
“What’s up?” I say after answering.
“Hey, Aaron. So…”
My stomach clenches. What happened?
“Mim and I can’t make it today. And from what I heard, Ricky got wasted last night, so no chance he’s coming either.”
“But I’m already on my way.” The cafe’s fifty metres from me — I can see the wooden sign out the front, decorated with painted cherry blossoms.
“Lily's still going,” Ethan says.
“So it’ll just be me and her?”
“That’s not a problem, is it?”
I slowly exhale. “Why do I feel like I’ve been set up?”
“Aaron.” He doesn’t deny it, though.
“It’s going to be so awkward! What are we going to talk about?”
“Just talk about what you usually talk about. You’re not nervous, are you? I never thought you’d be scared of chicks. Though seeing as you’ve never had a girlfriend —”
“It’s not that!” I hiss. “I’m not interested. I don’t want to date, not in Year 12 when I’m already so busy.”
