Page 18 of The First Time

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Piper: What?

Kit: That I want to text you.

Piper: So you are. But maybe you're only texting to prove it. This doesn't mean you want to. Or that you'll do it again tomorrow.

Kit: You a lawyer in training?

Piper: No.

Kit: You sure?

Piper: I'm only a college freshman, but I'm pretty sure I won't end up in law school.

Kit: Why not?

Piper: Why?

Kit: Fair enough. Do you know?

Piper: Huh?

Kit: What you'll end up doing.

Piper: Not yet.

Kit: You have time.

Piper: If you say so.

Kit: I remember being nineteen. Felt like I couldn't grow up and have my own life fast enough.

Piper: Yes, you're jaded now that you're an old man at 26.

Kit: It's a lot older than 19.

Piper: It's seven years older than 19.

Kit: That's almost half your life.

Piper: What's it like, knowing everything? Does it get exhausting?

When he doesn't reply immediately, I cringe. Was that too harsh? Kit seemed up for teasing yesterday, but that might have been a one time thing.

He might not actually want a friendship with me.

I refill my water to force myself to step away from my phone.

My heartbeat picks up as I pick it back up.

Kit: I should ask you. Is it a burden?

My lips curl into a smile. He's teasing back.

It's strange. I've known Kit for three years now. He's always been cordial, but we haven't had much in the way of meaningful one-on-one interaction. He never struck me as the playful, teasing type.

He's more intense and secretive.

And troubled.