I stare at the pen, then at the man, then back at the pen. I don’t reach for it. “But I’m not famous.”
He gets off his springy chair and props the marker between my rigid fingers. “Yet. But I got a feeling that’s just a matter of time.”
I’m so devastatingly happy that I want to cry and yell and laugh and pump my fist in the air. I don’t do any of these things. What I do is crouch, uncap the pen, and draw my name in large, wobbly, loopy letters.
My first-ever autograph.
Hopefully, the first of many.
44
The Non-Date Date
My phone chimes with a message on our way home from the Shake Shack, where Mom treated Lynn, Steffi, and me to lunch.
BEAST:You better not have any plans tonight.
Even though there’s no tone to text messages, his sounds aggressive. I’m tempted not to answer him, but of course I do. Nothing can ruin my day.
ME:Why?
BEAST:Because Nev has a DATE with a BOY and she’s going to the movies with HIM. Apparently you knew all about this and promised to chaperone her.
I smirk at my screen.
ME:Tell her to text me the time and place and I’ll be there. And tell her I’ll sit in the back.
BEAST:Can’t believe you knew!
ME:Can’t believe you’re freaked out about it.
BEAST:She’s twelve.
ME:She’s almost thirteen. Besides, it’s just a movie.
BEAST:It’s a dark room.
I bet he’s pacing his bedroom like a wild creature.
ME:They keep it that way so you can see the screen better.
I add a smiley face.
BEAST:Funny.
ME:I try. Anyway, don’t worry. I’ll make sure it all stays very PG. I’ll text you hourly updates.
He doesn’t respond, which is a little rude. He could’ve at least thanked me. He’s probably not feeling very thankful.
I debate changing his name in my phone, but don’t because it makes me smile. Probably wouldn’t make him smile…
A couple of minutes later, Nev shoots me a text.
NEV:I have a date!
ME:I heard.
NEV:What should I wear?
