Page 159 of Invisible String
“I’m scared to lose her. What if tomorrow she or I have to go to a new home? I don’t want to lose my only best friend and you, too.”
Drake’s eyes soften. He knows how it goes. His hand rests on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “How about we don’t think of all this shit we go through and live in the moment? I worry about not seeing my girl too. For right now, you go out there and show me your dancing moves.” He laughs, but there’s pain and cracking in it.
The pulsating rhythm of a song titled,“This is What You Came For”booms through the speakers, sending vibrations through the walls of the building. Multicolored lights flicker and dance across the floor, creating a kaleidoscope of hues that brightens the room.
“Let’s dance to this one,” Sol says, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she tugs at my hand, leading me onto the dance floor. It’s crowded with a lively mix of kids, parents, and teachers, all caught up in the music’s infectious beat. I had hoped for something upbeat, yet it seems our first dance will be to a slow, melodic tune that drifts over the crowd, wrapping us in its gentle embrace.
Sol likes to dance like she’s in some show. I twirl her around like she taught me. Her giggles are all I hear out of the volume of noise. My cheeks hurt at the smile that doesn’t leave my lips.
After the three dances, I relax and dance the whole night with Sol. We eat snacks, pizza, soda, and desserts. It’s the best time I’ve had in a long time, where I let go of all the heartaches I’ve endured.
Today isthe last day of school, and it’s summer break. On the way home, Sol was quiet. She talked a little, and I didn’t press it. She was not acting her usual bossy, chatting self. Once we got off the bus, I ran home to the room, kicked off my shoes, and threw myself on the bed. It’s so hot outside that the air conditioner in the house feels good. “We are officially going to be six graders.” My voice is high with excitement.
Sol shut the door behind her, kicking off her shoes. “We should go for a swim.” She wipes sweat off her face. We hear water splashing, and we look out the window that faces the fenced-in pool. Drake and his girlfriend are splashing each other. He grabs her, then pins her to the wall, and kisses her stupidly. His hands are all over like a hungry animal. I scrunch my nose and glance at Sol. She’s watching them, too. Her hands go into his shorts. I shut the curtain so fast and push Sol out of the way.
“It seems everyone is dating these days.” She watches me with an odd glint in her eye, one I haven’t seen before.
“Like who?” The floorboard squeaks where the loose board of candies is. Taking out the Reese’s, I pop one in my mouth and pass her one. “We need to stock up,” I say with a mouthful.
“Gracy and Kyle, Dan and Stephanie, Sean and Neomi. They’re all dating. Boyfriend and girlfriend.”
I don’t know where she’s going with this. I pop another candy. Mrs. Sara would freak if we spoiled our dinner.
“Well?” She stands up. Her flowered shirt rides up, showing her stomach.
Popping a red hot in my mouth, I ask. “Well, what?”
“Aren’t you going to ask?”
Girls are so confusing. They’re like jigsaw puzzles.
“You want some?” I pass her a Twizzler. “Sorry, came home hungry.”
She stomps her foot. “Not that. Aren’t you going to ask me to be your girlfriend?”
The candy goes downthe wrong tube, and I start choking. Is she trying to kill me? I swear I’ll be dead by the time I hit puberty. She smacks my back and then runs to the nightstand to retrieve a water bottle.
Finally, I gasp for air. My face is hot.
“Are you okay? Should I call Mrs. Sara at work?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine.” My voice comes out raspy.
She wants me to ask her to be my girlfriend. Blood rushes to my head, and I feel dizzy. Maybe I’m exaggerating it. She’s my best friend. Nothing’s going to change.
“Will you be my girlfriend?” I’m sure my face is burning up. I can feel it.
“Yes.” She grins. “It’s going to be the best summer ever. Just think, next month’s your birthday, and you’ll be twelve with a girlfriend.” She winks. “And mine in August.”
My lips curve into a smile. This summer is going to be amazing. “Should we go swimming?”
We both change into our swimsuits. When she asked why I swim with a shirt, I finally told her. Like always, Sol doesn’t judge me. She never has. She said it’s fine. You can barely see the belt mark my dad and Jason left, and where a guy threw a glass bottle on my back years ago, it left a scar.
Two weeks into summer, we sit in the treehouse drinking pink lemonade. We brought some snacks and card games. We play until we get bored.
“Sunshine, as boyfriend and girlfriend, what should we do?” I ask her. It’s been on the tip of my tongue.
She hums, thinking. “Well, we can hold hands,” she says, extending her hand. Mine intertwines with hers. “And sit next to one another. And kiss.” Her cheeks go red.
