Page 9 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“If I’m dressed up in a cosplay then…”

“OOOH,” she interrupted in dawning awareness. Her eyes widened and Travis got really quiet on the other end of the phone line. “You meant really nerdy.”

“I did,” he whispered and sounded almost… ashamed. That hurt because she knew what it was like to be ashamed of wanting to be yourself. Everyone expected a certain image, and when you didn’t fit the mold, it was hard to get questioned ‘why’ you were the ‘weird one’ in the family.

“Then you’ll have to show me, and wow me with that mysterious mac-and-cheese-with-Ritz-crackers. Don’t cheap out and saltine me, because I’ll be able to tell the difference.”

“Are you sure?” Travis chuckled nervously.

“Wow me,” she smiled. “And you never know… maybe your ‘nerd’ matches mine?”

“I doubt it.”

“Why?”

“Because then you would be utterly perfect. How does Friday night sound?”

“Friday? Um, sorry. I’m kinda distracted, and my brain is still stumbling over the ‘perfect’ comment. Friday, as in six days from now, that kind of Friday?”

“Yes.”

“I’m free.”

“Perfect. Can I pick you up, or should I send a car?”

“Send a whaa-whaa? I’m sorry, did you say that you’d send a car? Like a legit-rich-witch-fancy-schmancy car?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled again. “Maybe I should send the car, so you see what a ‘legit-rich-witch-fancy-schmancy’ ride looks like…”

“I thought you were going to wow me with the mac-and-cheese? Does this mean you don’t spring for a chef, but you do for a car?”

“Oh gosh, Becca,” Travis was laughing again. “You are killing me – and I love it. I’ll see you Friday, okay? Can you text me your address?”

“Is this a stalker move?”

“Does my P, B, and J sandwich scream ‘stalker’ to you?”

“Naw, bruh – it says you’re a broke-broke, just like me.”

“I am,” he laughed. “I’m a broke-broke but with a little bit of bank that folds. Can we not discuss money, though?”

“I would hope that we didn’t – because that financial pendulum swings in two directions, buddy. You don’t tell me yours, and I won’t share mine.”

“Good. Let’s be normal, keep it that way, and I’ll come get you.”

“Send the car, let me live for a moment…”

“All right,” he chuckled. “See you Friday – and thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making a halfway decent day utterly fantastic. I needed the laugh and cannot wait to see you.”

“That’s me – completely laughable, into nerds, and likes pasta a little too much. Me in a nutshell.”

“Again – utterly perfect. Good night, Becca.”

“Night, Travis.”

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