Famous in a Small Town(21)
“Well, apparently Dash and Brit aren’t happening, so half of it would already be null.”
“What about the us half?”
It was very quiet now, aside from the voiceover of the commercial playing on screen, and the squawk of some little kids a few rows in front of us, fighting over a pack of Sour Patch Kids.
“You … seem really nice,” August said after a moment.
“Oh, great. That’s a great start,” I said, and smiled because sometimes that’s all you really can do—just smile because if something is going to suck, it might as well be funny. “Never mind.”
“No, I mean … it’s not you, you’re—” He paused. “I just. I’m not trying to start any kind of … us … stuff. With anyone.”
“It’s fine.” I opened the Twizzlers I had brought and pulled one out, telling myself that I felt absolutely no steady, sinking feeling inside. It was all very chill and unaffecting. “I always used to bite the ends off these and make straws—did you ever do that?”
He shook his head, and it was quiet once more. The smaller kid in front had succeeded in wresting the candy away from his brother.
When August spoke again, his voice was odd. Higher, and maybe the slightest bit unsure. “I could use a friend, though.” When I looked over at him, his eyes were fixed on the movie screen. “If you were … okay with that. That would be cool. Probably.”
I nodded, after a beat. “I could do that.” I took a bite of Twizzler and chewed, watching the corner of his mouth tick up when I added, “Probably.”
thirteen
Sophie:
Did you like Ravi first or did he like you first?
Or was it mutual liking?
Ciara:
Mutual liking, I think
Sophie:
That’s lucky
Ciara:
Oh yeah?
Sophie:
Yeah
Right?
Like what are the chances?
Ciara: Uhhhhh pretty high?
I’M AMAZING REMEMBER
Or have you forgotten in my absence?
Sophie:
Lolol yeah
I just mean it seems like a lot of stuff has to like Line up
In order for you and the person you like to both like each other at the same time And the same amount
Ciara:
Maybe it’s not always the same amount at first Maybe someone grows to meet the other I don’t know though
I’m not an expert
I just got lucky with Ravi Sophie:
Not really
Ciara:
Heyyy!
Sophie:
I just mean he’s the lucky one Ciara:
Bawwwww
Sophie: We should go to the Movie Dome when you’re back Ciara:
Don’t you wonder why they called it that?
It’s not like there’s imax or anything Nothing about that place is domed Sophie:
What would you call it?
Ciara:
The Movie Pit
Sophie:
That’s so much better
Ciara:
What can I say, it’s a gift
fourteen
People got together at Jake Weaver’s house on Thursday night. It was outside of town, and I had to borrow my dad’s car to get us there, seeing as we now surpassed carpool capacity in the Cutlass.
“Now where are we going?” Dad said when I asked, looking up from his paper. He and my mom did crossword puzzles like they were an Olympic sport.
“I am going to Jake Weaver’s house.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do we know Jake Weaver?”
“He’s from school.”
“Oh, from school. That clears it up. Take my keys. And my debit card too, let’s give Jake Weaver from school free rein over our bank account.”
I laughed. “You know his mom. She has the bakeshop? By Dr. Aniz?”
“Oh, Sally?”
“I guess?”
“Sammy.” He snapped his fingers. “Patty. Patty Weaver. Oh yeah. She makes a great lemon tart.”
“I heard she also makes responsible children.”
My dad grinned. “Be careful on the road.”
I jumped up and went for the keys by the door.
“Soph?” he called as I started out.
“Super careful!” I said, looking back. He nodded and returned to his crossword.
“‘Nine letters, cryptid,’” he murmured.
Brit and Flora met me outside, Flora in even more improbable shoes than last time. They made her almost as tall as Brit, which I knew Brit hated.
Height is the only thing I have over her, she said once. She’s cuter and nicer and smarter and people like her more and her hair is shinier. If I can’t be taller, I have nothing.
You definitely run faster than her.
That doesn’t count. I run faster than everyone.
I texted August—because we did that more often now, texting casually, like friends—and he emerged from the Conlins’ house, two doors down, and gave us a wave.
“So is this a permanent thing?” Brit said as he approached. “We’re officially adopting him now?”
“I think he’s nice,” Flora said.
“Shocking,” Brit replied, and got in the front seat.