Me: Well, they don’t see me like that, I guess.
Donnie: That’s terrible. What do you want me to do, Stella? Can I help you in any way?
Me: No. You’re already doing it. I was really happy to see your name pop up on my screen, Mr. Football God.
Donnie:Grrrr
Me: LOL. You seriously just text growled at me. The other good news is that I’m heading back early. After everything that happened today, I’m heading back to school first thing tomorrow. Screw the blasted barbecue.
Donnie: Really? That’s awesome. So, what are you doing tomorrow night then? It’s Sunday, and we don’t have school on Monday….
Me: I’ve no plans since this was impromptu.
Donnie: Well, I’d like to ask… would you go on a date with me, Stella?
Me: To the caf?
Donnie: Nope. A real date. One where we dress up, eat at a fancy place with candles and what not. What do you say?
Oh, my gosh. Alex Emerson just asked me on a date. A real one.
Me: Sure. That sounds nice. What time?
Donnie: I’ll pick you up at your room at 6:30 p.m. Does that work?
Me: Yep. That works.
Donnie: All right, Pixie. Time for my beauty sleep. I worked extra hard on the field today to impress my girl. I hope it worked.
Me: You were trying to impress me?
Donnie: Of course.
Me: You are so sweet, Alex, thank you.
Donnie: Just thank me by going out with me tomorrow. Sweet dreams, sweetness.
Me: Ha-ha. Night, Alex.
He has got to be the sweetest man that ever lived, I swear. I lie back on my pillow and reread the texts that he sent to me. A date? Arealdate? I’ve never been on an actual date. Bradley never saw the need—either that or he just didn’t want to be seen with me. I think it was the second one, sadly. I fall asleep clutching my phone to my chest. Alex made the bad part of my day fade away. Poof.
Chapter Thirteen
STELLA
Bzzzzzzzz.
I awaken to a loud buzzing beside my head.
“What the hell?” I grumble. Whatever it is, it’s making my head vibrate. Oh, wait, I fell asleep holding my phone. As it buzzes again, I run my hands over the top of my sheets and under my pillow. “Ah-ha! Found it!”
I look at the screen and read: Donnie wants to FaceChat. I push the green button and wait for his face to appear. “Uh, hello? Is everything okay?”
“Hey, beautiful. I thought I’d call and wake you up so you can get back home faster.”
“Oh, well, gee thanks,” I reply sarcastically. “What time is it?”
“Six,” he says, like it isn’t the ass-crack of dawn. “Actually, there was another reason I called.”
