Page 33 of Emerald Moon
My heart is exploding
Without context, I wouldn’t know if that was good or bad.
Trust me
It’s a good exploding
Please send me more pictures of her when you can.They’re a nice treat during my work day.We only have fish in our pack.And one of them bites.A customer is coming.I’ll see you soon.
“See you soon?”Jo stared at the text and willed it to make sense.Cass had never ended her texts like that before.Did she mean it literally?They didn’t have plans to meet up, but Jo never was quite sure with Cass.
“Wil, what do you think ‘see you soon’ means?”Jo asked.
“Is that a trick question?”Wil chuckled, glancing over from where she was working on her laptop.
“Maybe?”
Another incoming message popped up.
I’ll bring you flowers from work.
Only if it’s okay to come over and see Dolly.And you.
Yeah!Sure, that’s fine!
“Cass is coming over?”Jo said, more questioning than telling.
Wil raised an eyebrow.
“Not like that!”Jo sputtered.“But also she’s bringing flowers from work?But she told me.So, it’s not a surprise.So, it’s nothing.I think.”
Whenever Jo attempted to sort how they felt about Cass into a tidy, labeled box, there was a reminder that Cass had maybe tried to kiss them that night in the tent.Jo couldn’t imagine outright asking what that had been, so they were stuck guessing based on how Cass acted and between all the “you’re cute” and “I’ll bring you flowers from work,” they weren’t sure how to sort her anymore.
“I need to make my side of the room less weird before she gets here,” they added in a sudden panic.
Wil turned back to her laptop.“She already knows you’re a huge nerd.No sense hiding it now.”
“You’re not wrong, but there’s knowing someone’s a nerd and, like, really knowing what type of nerd they are.I can at least hide the really sexual art and books.”
She snickered.“Don’t want anything suggestive around when Cass is here, hm?”
“It’s not like that!”Jo repeated.
“Then leave it out.”
Jo pointed towards two prints of half-naked anime men that were well on their way to doing dirty things with each other.“That!That doesn’t need to be out with new friends.That is the kind of thing you let other people see eventually, once you’re sure they’ll understand your brand of weird.”
She shrugged.“I say leave them up.Knowing Cass, she won’t comment on anything.And I say let your freak flag fly.”
They stared at the two prints on the wall.“She’s right, boys.I don’t really want to hide you.”Glancing back at Wil, they added, “So now what do I do?Just sit here in nervous silence until Cass gets here?”
“Sounds about right.”Wil shut her laptop and slipped it into her messenger bag.“I’ve got an art group meeting, so I’m out of here until later.”
“Wait, so you won’t be here when Cass is here?”
Wil shook her head.
Jo made a squeaking sound in the back of their throat and looked down at Dolly, who was now awake and starting to get up from their lap.“We’re really in for it now, girl.”
