Page 39 of The Infiniteness of Yesterday
Me: What are your plans this weekend? Would you want to go to the beach?
Willa: Well, I have plans with Harlow and my friend Meredith.
Fuck my stupid heart for skipping a beat at Harlow’s name. Harlow isn’t the reason I wanted to get into contact with Willa, but my heart doesn’t seem to realize that. Willa seems nice and like she might need a friend. Despite my raging crush on her sister, that’s not why I’m doing this.
Me: Oh, well maybe some other time then.
A few minutes pass before my phone vibrates on my chest with another text.
Willa: Why don’t you join us? I know they wouldn’t mind.
Me: Are you sure?
Willa: Yeah. It’ll be fun.
I think it over for a second before replying.
Me: Cool. I will then. Where should I meet you?
Willa: How about Cool Beans Saturday at 11? We usually stop there and then head to the beach.
Me: Sounds great. See you then.
Parking my car a block away, I hop out and walk the rest of the way to the coffee shop. I’ve been here plenty of times before so I know right where it is. T.J.’s parents own the shop and a time or two the both of us have helped out when they’ve been understaffed.
Walking in, I spot the three girls, the two blonds—Harlow and Willa—and a redhead who goes to my school, but we haven’t shared any classes as far as I know so I could be wrong. One of the downfalls of having a school that houses over two thousand students. Talk about a crowd.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” I apologize as I approach their table. “I had to help my mom. Let me grab a coffee.” I tap my knuckles against the table.
“Hopefully they don’t burn your coffee,” Harlow quips.
She’s never letting me live down the cookie disaster.
“They probably know better than I do what they’re doing,” I volley.
Joining the line, I wave at Jess, one of the girls who works there. “The usual?”
“Yep.” I hand my card over to pay and in no time, she’s passing me my drink. “Thanks.”
She flashes a smile, ready to take the order of the person behind me.
Rejoining the girls at the table, I take the only empty seat available beside Willa. I don’t miss the triumphant smile Harlow sends Willa’s way and hunch my shoulders.
Leaning back, I play with the straw in my drink trying to play it cool. “My best friend’s parents own this place.” Willa gives me a blank look, her light brows furrowed together. “You met him,” I explain. “T.J.,” I add by way of clarification, and she nods in remembrance.
“Oh, right.” She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, looking across the table at her sister and her friend. “We love this place. We come here a lot.”
There’s a shyness to Willa, like she doesn’t quite know how to interact with someone outside of her normal circle.
“Should we go to the beach now?” I look at each girl, gauging their reaction to my proposal. “Hi, I’m Spencer.” I extend my hand to the redhead, realizing I’ve been rude and haven’t introduced myself to her.
She gets a coy smile that normally might intrigue me if it weren’t for my growing crush on the girl beside her. “I’m Meredith.” She slides her tongue along her lips.
I give Willa a curious look and her lips tick with the threat of a smile.
They agree to go to the beach and since it’s barely a mile walk, we leave our cars at the coffee shop.
Walking along the sidewalk, Willa stays beside me. “Are you ready for graduation?”
