Page 44 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
I finish up my homework and browse social media. But that just makes me feel even lonelier because everyone’s posting how great and busy their lives are. How not lonely they are.
I lower my phone on the coffee table and open Netflix. Maybe I can find a good show to binge.
But after a few minutes, I shut it. I’m not in the mood for a show. I’m not in the mood for anything, really.
I lie back on the sofa with my arms folded and stare at the ceiling. This is pathetic. I’m bored on the weekend. I could try to reach out to some of my theater friends, but I’m not really that close to anyone. I’m sure they have plans, anyway.
So I just sit here with nothing to do and no one to talk to.
Except…
Before my brain knows what my hands are doing, I reach for my phone and click on Eric’s name. My thumbs move over the screen as I type a text.
Me: So Netflix is kind of sucking right now.
As soon as the text is out there in the world, I groan and smash the back of my head against the sofa. Why did I text him? We don’t have a text relationship. We don’t have any relationship, actually. Just castmates. Bandmates.
Maybe he won’t see the text?
I groan again when I see him typing.
Eric: Is it?
Me: I can’t find anything good.
Eric: Hmm, that’s a tough one.
Katie: Lol, so tough. Almost as tough as my math homework.
Eric: Right? I never thought of myself as dumb, but I felt like the stupidest person on the planet when I tried to do my homework.
Katie: I think they do that on purpose. Make us feel dumb so they could feel smart.
Eric: I think you’re on to something there. It’s a conspiracy.
I smile as I take in his words. I usually feel a little…nervous around him. But now I’m so relaxed and comfortable.
Eric: I’d offer to study with you, but that would be a bad idea. Even Ethan can’t stand studying with me. Says I’m really annoying.
Katie: So maybe we can do something else instead of studying.
I was so caught up in the texting that I wasn’t paying attention to what I wrote. Holy…did I just tell him that I want to hang out with him? What if he doesn’t want to? What if he has plans, or worse, what if he’ll feel obligated to say yes?
Why am I obsessing over this?
Eric: What did you have in mind?
My heart is beating so fast it makes my hands shake. I can barely hold my phone.
Katie: No, sorry. You probably have plans.
Eric: Not really. Ethan’s hanging out with his friends.
Katie: Phoenix has a family thing.
Eric: Ah, I see.
We’re both quiet.
