Page 36 of Heartthrobs Don't Date Wallflowers
Then the door to his room opened, and he walked in. My pulse quickened as I ducked out of sight, heart hammering in my chest. Slowly, I peeked out again. He was in workout clothes, a towel slung over his shoulder as he crossed the room. He tossed it onto the bed, flopping into his chair like it was no big deal. The glow from his phone lit up his face as he started scrolling, oblivious to me watching from my own window.
Was he texting someone? Probably. Someone important, maybe even someone he liked. Not that it was my business. My cheeks heated up as I forced myself to look away, but I couldn’t shake the itch of curiosity. Just a quick glance, one last time. I leaned forward, only for him to suddenly look up.
I dropped to the floor so fast I might as well have melted into it, my heart pounding in my throat. Did he see me? Or was I just being paranoid?I pressed my back against the wall, resisting the urge to sneak another peek. Nope. No more.
Eventually, I dared a tiny look, barely peeking over the windowsill. He was back to scrolling, completely absorbed in his phone, unaware of the ridiculous drama unfolding in my head. Crisis averted. I slumped against my bed, letting out a relieved sigh. Enough of that for one night. Maybe tomorrow, I’d figure out a way to say hi without looking like a total stalker… or maybe I’d just avoid him altogether.
Yeah, that sounded like the safer plan.
Just as I laid back down, my phone buzzed on my night stand. I practically slammed my hand down on it and slid it over to myself to read. I had a few texts from the group chat again but the most recent notification was a gif from Not Zesty, in response to a text I’d sent earlier. I reacted with a laughing emoji and a text came through from him less than ten seconds later.
Not Zesty
Why are you awake?
Ivy
Why are YOU?
I glanced at the clock—12:01 a.m. I didn’t realize how long I’d been watching Zach. I was gonna be exhausted at school tomorrow, but that was just my daily life right now.
Not Zesty
If you knew me
You’d know that I always work out at midnight.
Ivy
Well, if you knew me, you’d know that I’m a total night owl
It was really a shame that high school had to start so early in the morning because if I could just stay up till 3 a.m. every day, I’d be happier. Why not have school at a more reasonable hour? I’d rather get out at 5 p.m. than have to get up as early as I did.
Ivy
Why is midnight the best time to work out?
Not Zesty
I’m the only night owl in my house
So I get time alone
Sometimes it feels like whenever I’m awake, I have to be doing something
Why are you a night owl?
Ivy
Well my reason is boring next to yours
I just am
I’m the only one who’s up this late now that my sister is at boarding school so I don’t have anybodyto hang out with
But I like it anyway
Not Zesty
