I pat my stomach. “Yeah, but I guess I didn’t eat enough.”
She laughs, sounding so cute.
I smile sheepishly. “Sometimes my grandma says I’d eat the entire house if I could.”
“I’ve always wanted to meet your grandparents. Are they coming for Parents’ Day?”
“They hope to. Grandpa hates flying, but I think I’m important enough that he’ll endure it,” I joke. “Are your parents and Robin coming? I can’t wait to meet them, too.”
I didn’t have a chance to tell my grandparents that Raven and I are friends now. I think they’d be stoked to hear this news because they know how much Raven has always meant to me.
“Yeah, they’re coming. Robin is having a hard time with some kids in her class, and I really want to give her a hug.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure she’d love a hug from her awesome big sister.”
“Thanks. She’s tough, so I know she’ll be okay.”
I smile. “If she’s anything like you, she can handle anything.”
Her cheeks are red as she glances away. “Thanks. She’s tougher than me, though. She’s confident in herself and does what makes her happy. I wasn’t as confident at her age.”
“You were pretty confident when we got lost on that boat in the lake. If not for you figuring out how to get back to camp, I bet we’d still be stuck there.”
She laughs again. “I almost forgot that happened! I was so terrified.”
“Nope. You seemed as cool as a cucumber.”
“I was terrified!”
“Heck no. I was such a baby I panicked and started calling for help, but no one was there. You took charge and got us back safely.”
She grins and I grin, and I can’t help but feel like I’m floating. It’s so great to talk about camp without all these negative emotions smacking me from all sides.
Except, we both get quiet. Clearly, we’re still not one hundred percent comfortable around each other. I hope that will change as time passes, though.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I think it might snow again.”
She turns to me. “Really? That’s cool. I love the snow.”
“Me, too.”
Quiet again.
She looks at me and I look at her. We smile, glance away, then look at each other again.
“So,” I say at the same time she says, “Uh…”
We stop and laugh.
“You first,” I say.
She shakes her head. “No, you.”
“Are you sure? Because…” I stop talking when Mr. Lewis walks in. “It wasn’t important.”
“Mine wasn’t, either. I was just going to ask how the guys are doing.”
“They’re great. Happy that we’re friends because now they don’t have to feel like they’re betraying me when they play video games with you.”
