Page 13 of Something Rad
“Wearetalking,” I smirk, reaching up to smooth a hand over her hair, but she pulls away suddenly from my touch. I drop my arm to my side, confusion swirling through me.
“No, Robbie,” Denise says, shaking her head. “We need toactuallytalk.”
I raise my brows, not sure what the difference is. “Okay, fine. What’s going on?”
Denise’s eyes land on the ground before slowly looking back up at me. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore, Robbie.”
A laugh works its way out of me. When Denise’s expression doesn’t change, I glance away, running a hand through my hair. “You’re serious?” I ask.
She nods.
I look around, convinced this must be a prank or that I’m going crazy. “Sweetheart, how can you be serious?” I laugh again, but there’s no humor in it.
She blows a breath out of her nose, crossing her arms again. “Because, you’renot, Robbie. Ever”
“I’m not…what?” I question.
“Serious!” Denise responds, throwing her hands in the air before placing them on her hips.
I tilt my head, looking at her for a long time. “What does that even mean?”
Denise stares back at me for a few moments before her shoulders drop and her expression softens. She takes a step forward, grabbing my hand. “Look, Robbie,” she says, “I like you. You know I do.”
“Yeah, I know you do. So what’s the problem?” I ask.
“Robbie, it’s our senior year.”
“Yeah, exactly, Denise,” I say. “It’soursenior year.”
“And what are your plans for next year?” she asks.
“What?” I question, leaning back. “My plans fornextyear?”
“Yes, Robbie,” she nods. “For college? For life?”
“Forlife?” I ask, shaking my head with a laugh. “Denise, come on–”
“I’m serious, Robbie.”
“Denise, you said it yourself,” I say. “It’s our senior year! Why can’t we just enjoy that? Enjoy the now?”
“Not everything’s about thenow, Robbie. I have a future to think about. You know I want to be a doctor.”
She does?
“You do?”
Denise shakes her head looking down at the ground. “Look, Robbie. I just don’t want to waste either of our time, okay? I just don’t see us going long term, so it’s better to just rip the bandage off now.”
“Come on. Time with you could never be wasted.” I take both of her hands in mine. “You know we’re great together.”
“I just think we’d be better as friends,” she says.
I shake my head. “Sweetheart…”
“Thanks for understanding,” Denise smiles, leaning forward to kiss my cheek.
“I don’t remember saying that.”
