Serendipity

I like talking to you

After the whole 'poopy shoe' incident (there was a whole lot of questions I'll probably never have answers to), the rest of the day was mostly uneventful.

The principal (yes, the principal) issued Tim a new pair of shoes since it's against dress code to not have something on your feet, and sent some unlucky janitors to clean up the mess.

I hung out with Tai as the bus kids all left while we waited for our parents to pick us up.

Well, actually, Tai bikes home, but he's nice enough to wait with me while my forgetful Dad comes.

I swear, I had to text him every five minutes before school ended to make sure he wouldn't forget to pick me up (I learned my lesson in second grade).

And now I sit on my bed, staring at my phone. Correction- staring at Timothy's name on my screen.

I know I'm the only one who can initiate a conversation, since he gave me his number. Less of an exchange and more of a gift.

Well, that's what I'd call it.

Finally, after psyching myself up for about five minutes...

I go to the bathroom.

I know, I know.

But my face keeps getting hot, so I find it necessary to splash some water on my face.

But, when I trudge back into my room, I find that nothing has changed. Of course. Why would it?

I sigh and pick up my phone, then take a deep breath before pressing 'text'.

|Hey - sent

I watch it go from 'sent' to 'delivered' to 'read'.

Ding!

My heart flutters at the sound.

Timothy |Hey yourself

Timothy |...Is this Sydney?

|Yeah - read

|This is Timothy, right? - read

Timothy |Poopy shoe

|... Yeah it's Timothy - read

I lean back and grin. He's such a dork.

Timothy |So, what's up? Do ya miss me already?

|Shut up - read

Timothy |You do, don't you? :)

|I guess you don't need two working kneecaps tomorrow - read

Timothy |Damn, okay

Timothy |unless you're into that...?

|Kneecaps? - read

Timothy |right, right

Timothy |...so

Timothy |project?

Right. The project. I'd almost let myself forget.

|Yeah - read

|The project - read

Timothy |hey we should just call maybe cuz it's easier

Timothy |lol I'm lazy asf and typing is too much work

|Sure - read

|You call me? - delivered

Right after I send that text, I see Timothy's name on my screen, and my phone vibrates urgently.

Grateful it isn't a video call, I swipe answer.

"Hello?" We both say at the same time.

"Ah, hey there," Tim greets cheerfully.

"Hey."

"What's up?"

"Not much. You?"

"Not much," he laughs. "I'm just eating some dinner."

"Wait, are you calling me at the table or something? I can let you go-"

"No, no, I'm eating in my room."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"What're you having?"

"Uhh.... chips."

I snort. "That's healthy."

"I agree."

"What kind?"

"Uhh...lays. Cheesy ones."

"Oo, those are good."

"I know, right? I'd give you one, but it's a phone call."

I smile. "I'd take it, but it's a phone call."

"Too bad we can't just hang out in real life," He sighs. "You know, outside of school."

"Maybe we can."

"Really?"

"Yeah. My parents would be thrilled if I brought someone over."

"That's perfect! Should we try for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"I mean, I'll have to ask, but I'm pretty sure we can."

There's some silence.

"Hey," Tim says quietly. "I like talking to you."

My stomach flips. Does he not know what he's saying?

"Yeah. I like talking to you, too."