13

august

Water drips off my hair and rolls down my chest as I plod across the sand, breath labored and neck bent, too tired to think.

I scoop up my things, ready to plod home and collapse in my bed, before my phone lights up and I change my mind, sitting down in the sand instead. It’s a text from a Massachusetts number, and there is only one person that could be.

Ella

Hey

I wipe my damp hands on my dry shirt.

Me

Hey yourself

It only takes a second for her to text back.

Ella

Not going to ask who this is? I could be some creep.

Me

Probably are. But I know who this is. You’re the only person I’ve given my number to.

Ella

Wow. Not sure if I’m flattered or if you’re a giant nerd. Didn’t you meet like fifty people today?

A smile creeps onto my face.

Me

Both? But the bigger question is, why do you like nerds so much?

I mean it as banter, but as always with her, I’m not sure if it lands. With most cases, all it takes is showing a little interest in the person’s life to get them to open up. People want to be noticed, as Tiny always says. But with Ella, that absolutely wouldn’t work. In fact the only thing that does seem to work is when I joke and instigate her the way I do Valentine.

Ella

Haha. I wouldn’t be so sure I do.

Me

Proof: you’re texting me.

Ella

Nah. That just means I’ve decided not to hate you. You’ve merely been promoted to a mild dislike.

I laugh and the sound surprises me. I didn’t think I could laugh right now.

Me

I’ll take it.

I wait a beat, but she doesn’t reply, and maybe it’s the emotional exhaustion combined with the swim or simply the dark cover of the beach that has me type:

Me

Random question . . . but

Do you ever freeze? Like from shock or indecision or anything?

Ella

Nope. I’m a Leo.

Me

Strong logic.

Ella

Laugh it up, but it’s true. You’re a Gemini and when something big or meaningful happens, the two sides of you argue about how to respond. Hence the freeze.

I pause, not because I think my reaction in the grocery store has anything to do with astrology but because it’s actually not a bad explanation for what happened with Kyle. Although why I’m talking to her about my personal life instead of my made-up Holden life is a mystery. I’m just going to chalk it up to it being a strange day.

She starts typing, stops, and starts again.

Ella

Anyway I’m not texting for me. Amber wants me to invite you to her party tomorrow.

This really isn’t my day.

I stare at my phone, my fingers hovering above the keys. If I respond affirmatively, she’ll think I like Amber. And if I reject the idea, Amber might try to oust me from any future invite I receive.

Second rule of engagement: Don’t flirt with the subject’s friends.

Me

Let me get back to you.