Just Talk to Him! (IM5)

Chapter 21

July 23rd, 2013 - 7:10 p.m.

“Not dating?” Dalton scoffs. “Do I need to go over the definition of dating with you? Let’s see-”

“Officially!” Dana interrupts hastily, throwing his hands up. “I said, not officially.”

“Officially, a-bwuh-bwuh-bwuh,” Dalton mocks. “Seriously, I need a ‘No Girls Allowed’ sign in this room. Better yet, in every room. I’d get so much peace and quiet….”

“You’re mean. How am I supposed to room with Cole then? Or talk to you guys?”

“You don’t!” Dalton exclaims, grinning like it’s the best idea in the universe.

“But, I like you guys now! You’re my friends!” I whine, stretching out the last word.

“What are you, twelve?” Dalton retorts. “Or did you have sugar?”

“I had Disney!” I answer in a sing-song voice, twirling around like a fairy.

He brings his hand to his face. “Oh God save me.”

“Rude.” I skip away and down the hall, thinking Dalton is right and I’m being an absolute child. But my insides are buzzing and heating up too much for me to care. When I get back to my room, Cole still isn’t here yet and I close the door, then flop onto my bed. I hug a pillow, a grin splitting my face. All I can think about is Dana liking me, Dana enjoying my presence, Dalton considering me a good enough friend to poke fun at me, and this wonderful summer full of firsts and happiness. I push away the warnings of storms after sun and just lay there, smiling, giggling occasionally, rolling back and forth, and glowing in what feels better than anything I’ve ever felt before. Another first.

July 25th, 2013 - 10:00 a.m.

“We’re never going to actually date, right?” I ask Dana at breakfast. I phrase it like that, asking for confirmation, so I don’t get let down. More specifically, so he can’t laugh at me for assuming we ever had a chance.

With a mouth full of croissant, he makes a noise that sounds like “I don’t know.” I don’t laugh, just sit patiently, watching him until he can speak properly. “We have less than two weeks left. Long distance really isn’t my thing, and besides, you’re only fourteen.” Lowering his voice so the other boys can’t eavesdrop, he adds, “Just have fun with me for the time we have left. Does it really matter what happens afterward?”

“So no,” I conclude. “That makes sense.” I wish he wasn’t right, but he’s spot on and I stare down at my Frootloops, trying to absorb the bright colors. Dana doesn’t hear the disappointment in my voice as he starts joking with Gabe.

I swish my spoon in the cereal for a while, until Cole scolds me for letting it get soggy. Then I reluctantly finish it and join the boys in conversation. Their chatter and silliness quickly raises my spirits, but I start to inch my chair away from Dana’s whenever I see Cole give him a hard look.

At the end of breakfast, Dana glances at me strangely. He jokes, “When did you get so far away?” There is a full chair space between us.

July 26th, 2013 - 7:40 p.m.

“You know what’s my favorite thing you guys have done?” I blurt. “Disney Dudez. That Disney medley sounded much better than your other covers or original songs. Plus, those dance moves? They were so good, even I could probably do them.”

“Oh, ha ha,” Dana retorts. “We’ve been told that a million times.”

“Well, duh,” I answer. “IM5 really need to work on harmonization. I can hear fluctuation between y’all’s notes. Also, your lyrics are too cheesy.”