Page 74 of Woke Up Like This
She checks herself out in the mirror, running a hand through her hair. “Sorry! It’s just—I soundbadass, aside from the fact that I moved back to Maplewood. That’s kinda disappointing.”
“To be fair, you were badass.”
“So you think this was all in your head?”
“What else could it be?”
She drums her fingers on the steering wheel. “What if it was like, one of those psychic premonitions of the future? Or—ohmigosh! You know the thirdSpidermanmovie? With the multiverse? What if it was something like that? Wait, actually, I watched a documentary on the theory behind parallel universes. This is proof. Your brain should be studied. For science!”
I shoot her a skeptical look. “Do you really think any of that stuff is true?”
She shrugs, chewing the inside of her cheek in contemplation. “I believe there’s a lot in this world we can’t explain.”
“I don’t know. It was probably just a very vivid dream.”
She hums, grabbing a gummy bear from the bag stuffed in the cup holder. It reminds me of when Renner and I bought candy the night we kissed in the rain. “But now that you mention it, J. T. was acting weird last night when we were decorating for prom,” she notes.
“Weird how?”
“He was super quiet. Didn’t really seem up for chatting, which was fine, because I had my true crime podcast. But obviously J. T. not talking isn’t normal.”
“Did you know it was the anniversary of his little sister’s death yesterday?”
Nori lowers her head. “Oh no. I forgot about that. That would explain it.” We sit in silence for a few moments before she speaks again. “But can we please discuss the fact that you saw J. T.’s adult penis. How big are we talking? On a scale of pen-cap micro to forearm ginormous? Tell me everything,” she asks, fascinated.
I shake my head as she pulls the Volvo back onto the road. “First, there is no human penis in the world the size of a forearm. At least I hope not. Unless it’s the forearm of a baby or a very tiny person.” I shake the image out of my head. “Anyway, the point is, I kind of ... liked it?”
She chokes. “His penis? Or him?”
I shrug. “Both?”
“I ... yeah. That’s some weird shit. I kinda figured you’d have castrated him. But that’s growth. I’m proud of you.”
I can tell my face is turning red, so I cover it with my hands. “Never, ever bring this up ever again. You will go to your grave with this information,” I warn.
“You know I’m a vault.”
“Good, because I’m not telling anyone else about this. Not even Kassie. She’ll just tell Renner, possibly in front of everyone. Keeping secrets isn’t exactly her forte.”
“You should tell J. T.,” she decides, waving at him as we pull up into the parking lot.
He’s in one of his smedium T-shirts again, forearms on display, though less veiny than they were peeking out of his dress shirt as an adult. He gives me a salute and a half smile, which is new. Then again, since I texted about my scholarship news, we’ve been going back and forth, mostly about the Senior Sleepover logistics. But still.
I snort. “He’s the last person I’m telling.”
“Why, though? It’s possible he experienced the same thing.”
“Nori, be serious. I can’t just casually ask him if he slipped into the future and was about to marry me. That’s way too much ammo. He’ll make fun of me for eternity.”
She unfastens her seat belt, sneaking one last glance at Renner through the window. “We have one week of high school left. You’re not ever going to see him again. What’s the worst he can do?”
THIRTY-ONE
Idecide not to tell Renner a thing. I’m still not convinced it was anything but a deranged figment of my overactive imagination. And frankly, peace of mind isn’t worth my reputation. Besides, the Senior Sleepover is far too hectic to broach the topic.
Who knew having all four hundred seniors stuffed into the B gym would be complete and utter chaos? Well, I guess I should have known. Maybe this is why it was such a challenge to find chaperones.
Kassie and Ollie are nowhere to be seen, yet again. Renner texted Ollie, but he hasn’t responded. This leaves me, Nori, Renner, and some of the more helpful teachers to set up the photo booth, the movie projector, all the games and snacks, and order the pizzas.
