POOR HYGIENE
I can still kind of smell him every time I see his list in the back of my binder.
Jasmine got out of the salad habit after they broke up. Mostly. Sometimes, when she’s around a crush, she falls back into it.
I order some mozzarella sticks for the table, so maybe she’ll feel okay having some if she wants, and then Liam orders an omelet too.
“Twins,” he fingerspells at me, and I laugh.
“What was that?” Jasmine asks.
“We’re order twins,” Liam explains.
“So how long somethingsomething?” Jasmine asks, and pulls Liam into conversation. I sigh and turn to Bowie.
“So you’re teaching Liam sign?”
“Yeah. After practice, or at school. Whenever we have time.”
“When did he start?”
“Right after he got cast.”
My chest feels warm again. Did he start learning because of me?
That’s not a leap, is it? Maybe it is. Maybe he always wantedto learn. Maybe he knows other deaf folks. Maybe he’s tired of taking AP Spanish and wants to know a different language.
“What am I missing?” Liam asks aloud.
“Nothing.” Bowie elbows me in the side, but I ignore them.
“You know how those two are. Always off in their own little world.” Jasmine rests a hand on Liam’s arm. “Oh wow, you’re really warm.”
Liam’s cheeks color. “Most swimmers are.”
Bowie swivels my way again. Their eyebrows are nearly through the roof.
“Oh my god!”
“I know. She’s got it bad.”
Bowie purses their lips. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Me? Nothing. If she likes him...”
“You’re really fine with... that?” They gesture across the table, where Jasmine is comparing her hand size to Liam’s.
“I mean...”
It might be awkward, being friends with Jasmine’s boyfriend. My heart hammers just imagining it. Then again, after the string ofdeplorableincompatible people she’s dated, maybe Jasmine deserves someone nice like Liam.
“If they like each other, sure. Liam’s a really good guy.”
I glance across the table. Jasmine’s moved on to playing with Liam’s hair. It’s still shiny and damp from the pool,an adorablea wispy black mess.
“Your hair is really soft.”
“Thanks?”
