Page 3 of I Wanna Text You Up

“Only halfway? Are you sure? I mean youdidclimb through his bedroom window last year in an attempt to steal a babygoat.”

“But,” she begins to argue, “he’s also friends with Zach, and he’s the looniest of usall.”

“Goodpoint.”

“Don’t worry ladies, you just sit there and cry and whatever else it is you’re doing. I’ll just handleallthese heavy boxesmyself.”

“We will!” Delia tells a passing Zach, his arms stacked full again. “Anyway, back to the roommate search—if you’re sure that’s what youwant.”

I ponder this a moment. Part of me wants to try having the apartment to myself, but Iwillget bored and lonely. I’ll succumb to bothering Delia in a heartbeat, and I don’t want to be that desperate friend who needs reassurance when the other one gets aboyfriend.

No. I need a new roomie to keep me sane, andentertained.

“I am,” I tellher.

She claps her hands together. “Okay, then let’s get to work. I’m going to help make you this flyer before Ileave.”

“Leave?” I balk. “I thought you weren’t going until tomorrow? Tonight is supposed to be our last pizza party and sleepover before you ditch me for the prettyboy.”

“Chill.” She holds her hand out. “We’re still having the slumber party, but I want to get started on this now. We want to make sure it’s perfectlyZoe.”

“What does that meanexactly?”

“You know,” she saysflippantly.

I cross my arms over my chest, smirking at her. “No, Delia, I don’t. Tell me exactly who Zoeis.”

“A little edgy. A little sarcastic. Crass. Adorable.” She winks at me and I laugh. “I don’t know. You’re…you. Whoever your new roomie is better like making breakfast to DMX and not be alarmed when you hole up in your room for days on end because you’re in the middle of aproject.”

“Do you think we really need to include allthat?”

She shrugs. “Probably not. It does make you sound a bitcrazy.”

“I feel like I need to make a list. Let me grab mynotebook.”

I push myself off the couch and make my way down the hall to my bedroom, pausing in front of Delia’s nearly empty one. There are only six boxes and her bed left. Other than that, it’sbare.

There’s a twinge in my heart, and I can feel the tears beginning to form. I try to quickly blink them away.I will not cry. I will not cry. I willnotcry,dammit!

“She’s going to miss you, youknow.”

I jump at the sudden sound and turn to glare at the intruder. “You’re a damn ninja,Zach.”

He grins. “Sorry.” He clearly isn’t. “I just wanted you to know that. I feel like I should apologize or feel bad about stealing her away, but Ican’t.”

I pat his shoulder. “And you shouldn’t. You two are great together. You deserve this happiness. I’m just annoyed you’re stealing my woman. You swooped right in and BAM! Now she’s leavingme.”

“She’ll still come around. I’ll make sure ofit.”

“You make it sound like you’re going to have to pry her from your side. I don’t think you’rethatgreat,Zach.”

One brow shoots up. “Oh, I beg todiffer.”

I laugh and push past him. “I’m glad to see your ego is still intact,” I say over my shoulder before turning into mybedroom.

“Hey, I’m just stating theobvious.”

I shake my head and grab my worn notebook off my bed before heading back to the living room. I take this thing with me everywhere, and it’s evident in the way the cover is beginning to fall off the spiral binding. Maybe it’s time I replaceit.

---