Page 57 of Hate You, Maybe
“Will do.”
As he crosses the porch, I aim my fingers at him. “Pew-pew!”
“All right.” He hoists a brow, then trots down the stairs.
I watch him jog off toward the mess hall. When he’s out of earshot, I look at Loren and moan. “Uggggh. Please tell me I did not just shoot finger guns at Dexter Michaels.”
“You did not just shoot finger guns at Dexter Michaels.”
“Liar.”
“Yes. I am.”
“What is even happening to me?”
“I think you’re opening up a little, and that scares you. You’re freaking out and acting all weird because you haven’t felt like this before. And maybe that’s what you’ve been hiding from all along.”
“What?”
She bites down her lip. “Feelings for?—”
“Don’t say it.”
“—Dex.”
“You know, you haven’t been a very good listener this morning,” I say.
“Maybe not, but I am a good friend, and I love you, and we’re going to get through this.”
“Get through what?”
She flashes me a smile. “Your crush on Dexter.”
“I don’t have a crush on him. I can’t have a crush on him. I have to stay strong. He’s probably only being nice to me because he thinks I’ll cave and let him have the FRIG. But he’s wrong. Dead wrong.”
She guffaws. “Okay, Sheriff. Calm down. Everything’s gonna be okay.”
“You think so?”
“Just tighten up that ponytail, put on your big girl cargo pants, and remember who you are.”
“I am Sayla Kroft!”
“Yeah, girl,” she hoots. “The finger gun-toting baddie of Stony Peak High!”
“Ummm … I think my catchphrase is gonna need some work.”
We spend another minute or so cackling over other ridiculous nicknames for me. Then I end the call with just enough time to grab a clipboard in case I need it for any activities after breakfast.
As I shove my phone in my pocket, my stomach grumbles just thinking about the pancakes.
Wait, no. That’s my phone vibrating. A text from my mother.
Mom
Hey baby. You busy?
I’m not really feeling a text exchange with her, especially not after all that love talk with Loren, but I guess now is as good a time as any to respond since I’ll be busy the rest of the day with retreat stuff.
