Page 123 of The Friend Scheme
“Have you decided what your favorite band is yet?” I ask.
“Maybe? I’ve been thinking about it, and I really like Marshmello. I saw him at a festival Bri dragged me to, and that was fun, and I do work out to him. I listen to him the most, so he’s probably my number one right now.”
I open the notes app on my phone.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Writing a note about him, so I don’t forget. I only know his big songs.”
“Nice. I can message you his best songs, if you want. And you can do the same for me with the Killers.”
“Yes, please!”
“Cool.” He runs his fingers along the edge of his menu.
The silence gets awkward.
Is this going badly? It feels a little like it is. I get the impression he’s still pretty put out that I don’t trust him. It makes talking about music and things seem silly and pointless.
I never thought I’d think that.
We chat for a while, keeping it light, and soon, the server returns and places two delicious-looking cheeseburgers, along with a plate of waffle fries, down in front of us. I lift my burger and take a bite. It’ssogood.
We eat in silence for a few minutes.
“Okay,” says Jason. “What’s going on?”
I lower my burger. “What do you mean?”
“You seem like you’re in your head, even more than normal. Are you not happy this is a date?”
“What? No, not at all. I mean, I’m very happy this is a date. Are you happy this is a date?”
“Yeah, I guess. It’s just not what I thought it’d be.”
I wipe my mouth. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you don’t trust me; I didn’t realize that. I’ll be honest, that hurts.”
I could lie. But it’s Jason. He’s the one guy I’m supposed to be totally honest with.
“I get that. And I’m really sorry. I just really don’t want to be stupid. My whole family looks down on me. They think I’m stupidand weak. I really don’t want to prove them right by giving up my secrets to a Donovan.”
“Is that all I am now?”
I glance around, and see that nobody is within earshot.
We have privacy.
We can talk.
“No,” I say. “Of course not.”
“I just… I want to get to know you, you know? Like, who you really are.”
He stares at me for a second.
“Is that okay?” he asks.
