MIKEY:Done. Just took one out. I’ll set some aside for you.
ME:Thanks, man.
MIKEY:This for the girl from the other night?
ME:How in the hell?
MIKEY:Ro said you got it bad.
ME:Do you two have to tell each other everything?
MIKEY:Just thegood stuff.
Unreal. Apparently, my business iseveryone’sbusiness. But Ronan’s not wrong. I do have it bad.
After the mall this morning, I knew I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see Claire. My run-ins with her around town have been the highlight of my week — hell of my last six months. And I just wanted another chance to be with her. Tomorrow will be cool, being out with her for the first time, but we’ll be surrounded by strangers in a dark club with loud music. Tonight I just want her all to myself.
Having seen her eat Enzo’s the first time, I knew she wouldn’t pass it up. So, at the risk of looking like a total fucking creep, I decided texting her this late was worth a shot. Would I hate pressing her against another wall and kissing my way down her body? No. But did I come here just for that? Also, no.
I came because I like talking to her, and I can’t get her out of my fucking head. This girl is like two ends of a spectrum. Like the first drag of a cigarette after a long, shitty day — she’s soothing but intoxicating. When I’m around her my body relaxes but my heart starts to race. When I’m not, there’s that withdrawal again. So here I am, acting totally out of character — quenching my most recent thirst.
Claire carries the pizza box to the coffee table and pats the spot on the couch next to her.
“Do you want to tell me where the plates are?”
She’s already mid-cheesepull when she mumbles out, “Don’t bother.” I watch her wrap the cheese around her tongue until it finally separates from itself. God, this girl’s amazing.
Sitting next to her, I grab a piece of plain for myself. I don’t mind Hawaiian but she looks like she’s about to put it back, so I’ll save those for her.
“So wuh you bah at tha mall?” Her cheeks are already full as she pops a piece of pineapple into her mouth that first went rogue onto her lap.
“I’m sorry, what?”
She chews her bite dramatically, swallows, and then licks her lips. She’s not trying to be sexy but goddamn if it isn’t the most seductive thing I’ve ever seen.
“What did you buy at the mall?” She takes another bite waiting for my answer.
“Jeans, a t-shirt, and these.” I put one foot on the coffee table next to the box. I realize I now have my dirty shoe on her table next to our food and quickly pull it back.
“I like them,” she says as she stands up. She comes back with a roll of paper towels and two beers. Handing one to me, she opens the other and takes a long sip. “But just when I was getting used to the boots.”
I wouldn’t have pinned her as a beer girl, but I’m not complaining. I crack mine open and take a sip before sitting it on the lid of the box. Somewhere deep in my chest, I feel a warmth spread to a very buried place, and it’s not from the alcohol. It’s a pair of shoes but it’s like her telling me she doesn’t mind the boots, is her telling me she’s accepting me for who I am.That’s because she doesn’t know the rest,I think.
“Oh, don’t worry, they aren’t going anywhere.”
She smiles and grabs another slice.
“So you never told me what you do. You know where I work.” I change subjects and shove the self-deprecating thought back down.Not all at once,I respond to myself. A reminder that I am opening up little by little. It’s easy to feel like I’m hiding all of my demons but I realize I don’t know much about her either. I guess this is how it starts.
“Well, for the last three years, I taught middle school English.” She sets her slice back in the box and pulls a pillow to her lap. “But they cut my position at the end of last school year. Budget cuts meant combining classes and combining classes meant needing fewer teachers. Unfortunately for me, the other English teacher had been there for almost a decade so," she raises her hand, "short end of the stick.”
“Shit, that sucks. They can’t just move you somewhere else?”
“There’s no need anywhere else in the district right now, and honestly,” she picks up her can, “I’m not sure I would have accepted another spot anyway.”
“Why’s that?”
She fidgets in her seat, pulling her legs up and then putting them back down. Finally, she settles with one on the floor and one beneath her, tucked under the other.
