Page 21 of The Love Interest
“So you shut me out? Why is that better?”
I fan a hand through my hair. I imagine Craike staring at me, judging my performance. “I can’t explain it, but I was a kid, and writing to you reminded me of how much I wished I was sitting next to you. I tried to make other friends, but that didn’t work; I never clicked with anyone as much as I clicked with you. I resented them for that. And I knew if we kept messaging the pain would get worse. So I was a coward and I stopped. I’m sorry, Juliet, and if I could go back, know that I would message you every single day.”
She looks down at her black dress shoes, and her hair falls over her face. Her hands, which are dotted with freckles, are shaking. Why is that happening? What am I doing wrong?
I slide an inch toward her. “But I’m here now, Juliet, and if there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, I’ll do it.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
She smiles a sheepish smile. “Well, thereisone thing. Later on in the term.” She rolls her eyes and chuckles. “No, it’s stupid. Forget I said anything.”
“I said I’d do anything, Juliet. I meant it.”
Two little bursts of pink light up her cheeks.
“Well, for my art project, I need to do a, um, portrait. And I need a subject. And, well, there aren’t a lot of guys willing to pose for me, because it has to be, um, you know.”
I gulp a hard swallow and raise both eyebrows. “How naked are we talking?”
She tilts her head back and laughs. “Oh God… only shirtless. I can look up pictures online for the rest of you and…” She laughs again. “I know I sound kinda weird right now, but I promise I’m not. I’m like, ‘Hi Caden, I haven’t seen you in ages, now come into my house and strip for me.’ Sorry. Forget I said anything.”
I shake my head. “I said anything, so I’ll do it. It just means I need to stay away from the cafeteria.” I pat my stomach. “I need to make sure I keep this figure. And I was looking forward to letting myself go. But it would be my pleasure to do this for you, Juliet.”
“Thanks, Caden. Really.”
The bell rings. She skips back to her friends, leaving me alone on the bench. I watch her go. So that’s the only girl I can ever be with. She’s pretty, and she seems nice. It could be so much worse. I guess I got lucky.
How’d I do?
Kaylee’s laughter sounds in my mind.
She invited you to her house to get naked. You’ve got this in the bag.
It’s what I suspected, but hearing it confirmed makes me grin. I look back at Juliet. She’s back with Natalie, who is leaning toward her, trying to get her attention. From across the courtyard Juliet raises a hand and waves at me. I smile and wave back.
Dyl’s a dead man.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
I’m on my way to the Starbucks down the street from the school when a drop of rain hits the back of my neck. I frown and look up. The day has turned south, and the air is thick and muggy, the sky filled with gray clouds. Rain splatters against the road. I tuck my hands into my pockets and shuffle-jog the rest of the way, treading carefully to make sure I don’t fall on the slippery ground.
I reach the store and swing the door open. As part of my “cultural education” at the LIC I was shown pictures of Starbucks, but I’ve never actually been inside one. This store matches the ones I was shown in the classes, with wooden walls, a shiny counter, and a chalkboard displaying the menu. It smells like syrup, coffee beans, and whipped cream, and I breathe it all in. Now I know why they’re so popular. The very air of this place is delicious.
Only two tables are occupied, one by an elderly couple who are both sipping cappuccinos, the other by a stern-looking guy in a sharp suit who is sipping from a to-go cup while he checks his phone.
A buff black guy, maybe early thirties, in a too-tight black shirt and green apron makes his way around the counter. His smile is wide and his eyes light up with it, making me feel like he’s genuinely pleased to see me even though we’ve never met. Looks like I’m not the only one here who can act.
“Are you Caden?”
I nod. “Yep.”
“Good, good. I’m Levi, the manager here. Your mom told me a lot about you and I’m happy to have you on the team.” He claps his hands together. “So, did you bring your uniform?”
I raise my backpack slightly.
