“Hey back.” Gemma kept her eyes locked on Caitlin’s, vigilant for clues about this invitation. “I brought some treats.” She held up the plastic shopping bag from their local convenience store.
She didn’t know what kinds of snacks Caitlin liked, but Gemma hadn’t wanted to show up empty-handed. So, she had just gotten a variety of treats—buttered popcorn, Peanut Butter M&M’s, Crispy M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, and Sour Patch Kids. She hoped Caitlin would at least like one of her choices.
Gemma followed Caitlin through the living room, noticing that there was no sign of Troy or any of the cheerleaders.
“Am I early?”
“Oh, no, it’s just us tonight.” Caitlin moved throughout the kitchen as if the past two months hadn’t happened, as if it had been just yesterday that they had danced in the basement together, giggling and wrestling. “I’ll put the popcorn in the microwave for us before we head downstairs.”
Gemma hadn’t known what to expect tonight, but she certainly never imagined they’d end up spending it alone.
Questions flew through her mind on tempo with the popping kernels, each one louder than the last. Maybe she wouldn’t get all of the answers tonight, but if she had to pick only one, Gemma knew which to ask first.
“Troy isn’t coming?”
“No, he’s hanging out at Alex’s tonight.” Caitlin avoided eye contact with Gemma as she poured the fresh popcorn into a white ceramic bowl.
Gemma nodded, her nerves tangling inside of her like a ball of yarn. She reminded herself of tonight’s mission.
Focus on fixing the friendship.
Collecting their snacks and drinks, Caitlin led Gemma into the basement.
The memory of Caitlin straddling her surged to the surface the moment that Gemma stepped down into the room again. She hadn’t been back here since that day. It had only been months, but it felt like a different lifetime.
“What kind of movie do you wanna watch?” Caitlin asked, placing everything on the coffee table, which had returned to its proper position in front of the couch, now that there were no longer dance mats on the floor.
Gemma sank into the far-right corner of the sofa, the cool leather against her skin like a balm. It helped to soothe the heatsimmering throughout her body as each new piece of information she gathered stoked the fire inside her.
“I don’t care. You pick this time.”
Crap. Did Gemma just accidentally insinuate that there would be a next time?
Panic began to creep through her veins at her mistake until Caitlin flashed a copy ofMiss Congeniality.
“I love that movie,” Gemma rushed, confirming Caitlin’s choice and relaxing when Caitlin appeared to be unfazed by her comment.
“Me too, such a classic.”
Caitlin placed the disc in its slot and hit play before moving to sit on the far-left side of the couch, as far away from Gemma as possible. Well, that answered one of Gemma’s questions—Caitlin wanted physical distance between them. Noted.
Gemma directed her attention toward the screen, where a young Gracie Hart was punching a boy on the playground. God, she was obsessed with Sandra Bullock movies. She was the reason that Gemma wanted to take acting classes after high school.
“I wanna be her when I grow up.” Caitlin sighed, apparently reading Gemma’s thoughts. “I wanna star in all the best films. I mean, I’ll probably go to college first for a theater arts degree, but then I wanna become the biggest actress of our generation.”
Gemma couldn’t take her eyes off Caitlin, lost in the future of her dreams. There was something magical about the way her face had lit up, hope twinkling in her clear blue eyes and excitement curling the edges of her smile. Gemma had never met anyone so endearing… or so beautiful. In that moment, she believed it. She believed that Caitlin would one day leave New Hope and turn her dreams into reality.
“Do you know what you wanna do? After school, I mean.”Caitlin turned to ask, and Gemma couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, it’s just…” Gemma paused. “Well, I also want to be an actress and go to college for theater arts.”
Caitlin smiled, not seeming surprised as the two stared into each other’s eyes. The opening credits faded, breaking them out of their trance.
Not five minutes later, Caitlin spoke again. “Want some popcorn?”
Gemma was reaching for the bowl in Caitlin’s outstretched hand when she unexpectedly inhaled an intoxicating floral aroma coming from Caitlin. For a moment, it stole her breath, a wave of longing rising so strongly that she had to bite back a groan. Gemma needed to pull herself together. She retreated to her corner, placing her handful of popcorn onto the napkin in her lap.
Sandra Bullock. The beauty pageant. Do not think about the beautiful redhead beside you, smelling like a freaking meadow.
