Page 20 of The Other Side of Together

I bark a laugh.“Is that, like, some obnoxious pun?”

She shrugs and smiles.

“Could youbeany more cryptic?”

She shrugs again.

“Ah—you can. Awesome.”I dig into my Oreos. It hasn’t been four and a half minutes, but I need a distraction.

“Are you going to tell me the answer to your joke?”

I look up, shaking my head, my mouth stuffed with Oreos. “Nope. You have to earn it.”

“How?”

“Let me consult Buddha.” I slide my hand across the table, palm up, and she places him in my hand. “He knows how to work things out peaceably. He’s a great listener; I’ve told him everything. And he told me some pretty interesting things about you.”

“Like?”

“Nope. Confidentiality, you know? He’s totally trustworthy—something about religious convictions.”

She eases back in her chair. “How exactly do you talk to him? Just curious.”

“Hold on.” I hold up my finger and lean toward him. “He needs to tell me something. It’ll only take a minute.” I rub his belly and put my ear near him, laughing and shaking my head like he said something hilarious. I whisper in his ear, then listen to his reply. “I know, man, I know, but since you’re a statue, guess you’ll have to be okay with it.”

Mei tilts her head. “Okay with what?”

“You know…eating Oreos. Together. You. Me.” I wag my finger between us. “Hangin’.”

She stares at me while sirens blare outside, then smiles. “Tell me more about what ‘hangin’ with you requires so I can make the decision for myself.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s pretty grueling, actually.” Slouching in my chair, I lean my head back. “No one’s ever survived it. Then again, no girl’s attempted.”

“No one?” Her eye darts away, but not before I read it loud and clear. “How is that possible?”

“Ha!” I jump out of my seat, leaning across the table.“I saw it. Dude—I’m getting good at this Eye Language translation thing, and it’s only been twenty minutes. And you’re only talking with one eye.” I settle back into my seat and sigh. “Ahead of the curve, right where I like to be.” I devour another Oreo. “I’m flattered, but I’ve made it possible for eighteen years.”

“Why? There are a million girls who like you.”

I frown at her. “Uh…I think your estimations are a little high, and even if they were accurate, there are approximately zero that I’ve liked back. Except…” I play with my spoon, lift it, twist it, watch it. “I don’t know…” I stare at my Oreos, then glance up at her. “Think I might like you.” The words run out of my mouth like prisoners set free, not looking back.

A smile lights her face, and she sets down the peas.“You don’t even know me.”

I rub my palms on my shorts and lean into the table. “I know I like your smile. Really like it, actually. And your notes. Especially your extremely symmetrical handwriting.” I glance at her, gripping my knees under the table. “You have big, gorgeous mostly brown eyes with a shimmer of green. It’s like…” I scan the living room behind her, remembering a day in Astoria, Oregon. “It’s kinda like sitting in a forest, looking up.”

She presses her lips together, trapping a smile and pink floods her cheeks.

I hold on to her gaze as the words swing out of me. “Reminds me of one of my favorite places. Like…you’re kinda a favorite place. And…I like you. And…everything else. Including your choice of Wednesday night company.”

She grins but looks past me to the framed artwork above the table. “You’re not brave enough to like me.”

“Why’s that?”

She shrugs, smiling at the table again before looking back at me. “So…what if I think I might like you, too? What are my chances?”

I hold her eyes, then lean forward and pull the Sharpie from my pocket, grabbing her wrist. I pull her arm toward me across the table and write100%,snap the lid on the Sharpie, and sit back. Dad just can’t know. Betrayal and guilt tango through my chest and leave a trail of hot lava no amount of Tums could touch. But I don’t wanna fix it if it means resisting Mei. Why can’t I have my motorcycleandher? Ifshe’s even available. We can like each other. Just can’t do anything until I graduate. Forget the car. Motorcycle’s barely worth it now.

She reads the number. “Really?”

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