Saturday morning comes around and I’m feeling really nervous. The weird thing is, it’s like a date sort of nervous. When I went out with Dylan Anthony, I used to feel like this. I was worried about kissing wrong and garlic breath. But none of that matters with Bradley. He’s a sweet guy, but I don’t like him like him. And as for Danny? No chance. I need to tell my head that.…
Dear Brain,
Just because there is now no chance of you going out with Danny, it does not mean that there will be tongues with Bradley Sanderson. It’s just going to be escalators and vlogging advice. Get over yourself. He’s got a girlfriend. Stop getting in a tizz. Stop creating a spiral of total doom and—
“Where are you going, and why are you talking to yourself?” Granddad stops me by the front door. His fingernails are full of mud.
“I’m meeting my new friend Bradley.” I tell him the truth. I don’t want to, though, as I know where it will lead.
“Oh!” Granddad is teasing me now. He winks and does a tiny jump. Actually, it’s more of a raise of his heels. That’s all he can manage. “A young man? Is this your boyfriend?”
Why do girls always have to go through this with family members whenever they mention a male?
“He’s JUST a friend!”
“Of course he is!” Granddad does his annoying wry smile.
“You realize you can actually be friends with a boy, Granddad? Just friends. You don’t have to marry them. You can just meet them and chat!”
Granddad harrumphs. The problem is, I do sound a bit lame. A boy is teaching me how to do stuff. I’m not particularly happy about this, and I’m certainly not letting Granddad know that. He still believes that men are the best natural teachers. He tells his own doctor what is wrong with him before she can explain. And he calls her “nurse,” even though she is a doctor.
But he’s letting me live in his house and use his shed, so I just smile and leave. This is not fighting for equality, but it is sensible.
That word again. Sorry. I can’t help it.
ARGH! Why am I so nervous?