Page 7 of You + Me – Against the World

“Man, you suck at this! Come on, Alma, beg me!”

I just stare at her blankly.

“It’s from your Romeo…”

“What are you on about, Clem?”

“Here. He was looking for you. And he gave me this.”

If no one is keeping you on a tight leash tonight,

we could start over. Give it a go. Meet me at the Sunset. 10 p.m.

V.

I reread the message at least a dozen times in my head, as much to decipher Vadim’s illegible handwriting as to make sure of its contents. It’s an invitation, scribbled in a hurry, in the style of a frustrated left-hander or possibly a first-grader, on a torn piece of paper. Is this a date? Not in a million years. That would make no sense; he hates me. A work meeting? But why would he want to meet at the Sunset Café, a loud, bustling place that’s always packed with college students? Maybe it’s some kind of challenge? He wants people to see me with him so that Tim doesn’t win.

But why fold this scrap of paper up so small, as if it held the most shameful of secrets? Is Vadim Arcadi ashamed to make a move? To give the rich girl another chance, after being publicly humiliated by her boyfriend?

I shift my weight from one foot to the other, nervous, confused, and unable to take my eyes off the message.

“So, what does it say?” Clémentine presses me, having already shown infinite patience.

“That he wants to work on our assignment with me.”

“That’s it? Then why all the mystery?”

“Tonight. At ten o’clock at the Sunset.”

“Ooh, now I’m interested! Are you going to go?”

“Tim and his parents are coming over for dinner,” I reply in a flat tone.

“Do they live there or what? The Wallaces have dinner at your place three times a week!”

“Almost. Mondays and Thursdays normally.”

“Cancel, Alma! Tell them you can’t this time!”

“Right, and that I’m meeting a stranger in a bar at ten at night to do my homework…”

“But that’s the truth! You’re going there to work, right?”

“Like they’d believe me.”

“Well, come up with another excuse!”

“Anyway, I’m not allowed to go out during the week. I don’t see how I can manage this.”

“We’ll find a way! We still have the whole afternoon.”

“Can you think while you walk? We’re going to be late for our next class.”

“Wait, I haven’t eaten anything since last night. I’m going to pass out if we don’t eat first!”

“I saw you devour two Twix bars at eleven. You still have some chocolate, right there.” I laugh, pointing to her upper lip.

“That’s not true. I shared them with Andrew! Well, he asked me for a little piece and ended up swallowing the whole bar in one go. That was disappointing behavior. I’ve got no interest in marrying him anymore.”