“Thanks for the heads up.”
He raises his eyebrows and flashes me a smile.
If Dylan hadn’t mentioned his homework situation, I would think he was ghosting me.
He disappeared. I’ve been going to the gym alone this week, and it’s been a reality check that Dylan really has become my best friend. I never see him on campus, but I find myself looking for him anyway. Every time I go to the gym, I wonder if he’ll show up. I open my phone to see if he’s texted. Hell, I’ve even looked through my Story views to see if his name pops up. We haven’t talked since that night, and I guess the space was necessary.
I take Dylan’s advice and text Dane, inviting him to Rocky’s party this weekend.
Dane: Alix told me about it. I’ll be there.
I stare at the text, wondering why he had to mention the part about Alix. A part of me thinks Dane isn’t into me, and that I’ll always be his sister’s annoying friend.
I finally give my apartment a deep clean and unbox my new home décor. Alix confirms with me that they will be coming to my place on Saturday around eight.
When Saturday rolls around, I am up to my eyeballs in work. I tend to do this to myself. I didn’t want to have a panic attack about Dane coming tonight, so instead, I buried myself in a list of work all week. It also helped me forget about a boy named Dylan.
And because my work is content-based, it’s endless. I’ve been kept pretty busy. But what throws me off is when Dylan likes a selfie on my Stories and replies.
Dylan: Are you coming to Rocky’s tonight?
Cecily: Yes, sir.
Dylan: And your friends?
Cecily: They are coming.
Dylan: Cool. I’ll see you there.
I stare at the wordcool.
Am I reading into that too much?
Cool.
Cool?
I don’t reply to him as I get ready for the night.
Alix and Dane arrive near nine, not eight. I’ve been ready for two hours, and I’m trying hard not to overthink this, but it’s hard not to. Especially when I feel throbby, and that throb makes me crave Dylan. But I’m trying hard not to admit that.
“Hey!” I say, opening the door to Alix and Dane. God, he’s shorter than I remember. I ignore him and pull Alix into a hug. “Come in.”
Dane stands with his hands in his pockets. “Cecily.”
“Dane,” I smile.
He pulls me into a hug and says, “It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, too long.”
They don’t remove their shoes as they enter my place. The apartment feels small and suffocating as they stand between the couch and the dining table.
“So,” I say. “We can head over right now.”
Alix nods. “Yeah, let’s go.”
I hop into their car, and I set the GPS to Rocky’s address. The entire drive, Alix is talking our ears off about everything going on in her circle of friends at home. When we pull up, the party is spilling out onto the street.
