“It was great, but…” Riley got quiet. “Be cool, okay?” Her anise scent flared with anxiety.
“Of course.”
“Hiro and I kissed last night. I… I really like him,” she confessed.
“I’m glad. Will you be okay working with him for the internship program?” It was only four weeks, but four weeks could be a very long time with someone you’re awkward with.
“Fuck yeah.” She nodded.
“Okay. What do you want to do right now, then? We’re going to the mall with Spencer tomorrow.” I was looking forward to it.
“We can go to a different mall. Go get manicures, have bubble tea, maybe look for clothes for the party? If you’d like to buy me some work-appropriate clothing, I won’t be sad.” She grinned as she set the navigation on her phone.
“Is there a movie theatre there? That new rom-com you were talking about opens today,” I stated.
“Yes. They have enormous screens there, and nice chairs, but they don’t bring you food,” she replied.
I nodded. “Sounds great.”
We drove to the mall and got our movie tickets and then went to get manicures. Riley had already made us appointments. I texted the group chat and sent them my location.
Me
Riley and I are having a girls' trip to the mall.
Spencer
Be safe. Family dinner tonight still?
Brennan
Yes. Riley and Jett are cooking.
Me
I still have work to do, so we’ll be home in time.
Wes
I have a few things to do, but if you’d like, I can join you?
I looked at Riley. “Wes wants to join us.”
She shook her head and texted.
Riley
It’s girls’ day, fuckers. No boys allowed. I’ll be home in time to cook.
“Someone might just show up,” I said to her as we went to the food court to get bubble tea. I’d been to this mall before with Evan and Riley to buy things for the PIIP conference.
“I know. It’s so fucking annoying,” Riley huffed. “Possessive shitheads.”
“Yeah, but they’re our possessive shitheads.”I added our manicure and movie times to the chat.
We sipped our bubble teas and had our manicures. I got hot pink, Riley got dark green. Riley filled me in on all the gossip from the dance and some end-of-school drama.
After we finished and I paid, she dragged me off to a popular teenage store.
