Page 112 of Daydream

tell her you’re letting an arty guy rail you and see what she says

HALLE JACOBS

Would rather die

HALLE JACOBS

Putting my phone down

HALLE JACOBS

Pray for me

CAMI WALKER

i’ll ask my granny to light a candle for you

CAMI WALKER

it’s the middle of the night in ireland though so you’ll have to wait

POPPY GRANT

I have a Dolly Parton candle will that work

HALLE JACOBS

I think so because this can’t get worse

Tucking my phone away, I start trying to mentally run through all the things in the house I would have hidden if I hadn’t been blindsided. Laundry on the guest room bed, litter tray that needs to be cleaned, various books decorating every surface. Oh God. There are condoms in the bathroom. Apparently it can get worse.

It’s like someone lit a fire under me as I spring from my seat.

“Honey, where are you going in such a rush?” Mom asks, freezing me on the spot.

“I need the bathroom, sorry. Be right back.”

I’m practically an Olympian the way I sprint up the stairs. Maybe I was wrong, maybe Grayson didn’t get all the sporty genes. When I throw myself through the bathroom door, the offending black box is staring back at me. I think if it could talk it would tell me to grow up, but it doesn’t stop me grabbing it to hide from my parents.

What I don’t expect to find is that the box is empty.

HENRY TURNER

Did we use all the condoms in my bathroom?

Are you hitting on me?

I’m being serious.

No, made a pretty big dent though.

We can try harder next time.

The box is empty.

Weird. Maybe Mrs. Astor doesn’t want me to hook up with you.

I have some. Come over and I’ll show you.

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