“Okay, sweets, this soup will just simmer for a bit longer before it’s ready. And I’ve got some prescription toothpaste and mouthwash for you when you’re ready to brush your teeth.”
I smack my lips together. If my breath smells half as gross as my mouth feels, I’m in pretty rough shape. “After the soup,” I tell her.
She smiles sympathetically. “I must have dropped at least eight pounds when I had my wisdom teeth removed, so that’s something to look forward to.”
Somehow it always comes back to weight loss. But I’m too uncomfortable and groggy to engage with this right now. “I’ll be in my room.”
Back in my room, I search for a charging cord so that I can charge my phone and use it at the same time. I quickly scroll through my text messages. What could have possibly been so horrible that Amanda would call my mom and tell her to take my phone away?
The first text message exchange is between Willowdean and me.
ME: hey youuuuu
WILLOWDEAN: Millie? Hey
ME: what if there was an app that texted you every day to tell you something awesome about yourself but what if theapp was like real stuff like it knew you but not in a creepy robot way
WILLOWDEAN: That sounds awesome, but are you okay right now?
ME: I AM GRAND
ME: like if I were the app robot I would say Willowqueen, you have balls of steel and that makes you awesome have an awesome day love your awesome app robot
ME: so genius
WILLOWDEAN: Balls of steel? Am I being pranked? Did someone steal Millie’s phone?
ME: boop boop beep boop
ME: that’s robot for shhh good night
“Oh my God.” I clap a hand over my mouth. My cheeks burn with instant embarrassment.Balls of steel? I don’t think I’ve ever even said the wordballsout loud.
I’ve heard of this happening. People just totally out of it on painkillers and doing or saying ridiculous things. But I was so tired. I barely even remember coming home last night.
Still, I’m scared to dive into whatever other messes I might have gotten myself into. But it’s a car wreck. And I can’t look away. Plus I’ve got to get into damage-control mode at the very least. What if I said something rude or hurtful? Or accidentally told someone’s secret? Or my own secrets?
I scroll down to the next message. Amanda.
ME: my feelings ache
AMANDA: Huh?
ME: it’s like a stomachache, but with my heart and not the one in my body I mean the feelings heart. the heart-shaped heart not the fist-shaped heart
AMANDA: Millie?
ME: i want you to always feel like we can talk
AMANDA: I can’t believe I’m asking this, but are you drunk?
ME: I like you for always okay but I felt like a bad friend for not knowing that you’re asexual
ME: I had to have my wise teeth taken out but only the very smartest ones and that’s why i missed malik’s party, but it’s okay i told him i wouldn’t be there and that we should kiss for fun
AMANDA: OMG MILLIE WHERE ARE YOU
AMANDA: Throw your phone. Do it. Right now. Throw it as far as you can. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
