GLOW

CHAPTER 19

I dart into Vivia's room and flop down on her bed that afternoon, beaming. "Guess what?!?"

She barely looks up from her phone and mumbles, "What?"

"I HAVE A BOYFRIEND NOW!!" I roll off the bed and sprint out of her bedroom. I can hear her footsteps behind me as, cackling, I jump onto my own bed. A second later, she yanks back the covers and sits down on the bed.

"Alright, little sis. You'd better give me this guy's physical description, full name, date of birth, all social media accounts, and social security number. Understood?"

I pout. "You're spoiling it, Vivia."

"I'm your big sister, Esme! I need to know these things."

"Full name is Cyreone James Brown. Physical description... hmm." I purse my lips, thinking. "Short dreads, African-American, about six-two, six-three, lean, brown eyes, some tattoos. I don't know his birthday, although I probably should, he has no social media, and seriously, when would a social security number ever come up in an everyday conversation?"

She rolls her eyes. "I was kidding about the social security number." She clears her throat and adds, "I just need a few more things."

"Are you going to put this in the newspaper or something?"

"Don't give me ideas," she says, pointing at me. "When's your first date?"

"Tomorrow at six, Shakespeare's Pizza. If you follow us there or tell Mom and Dad about it before I do, I will dump paint all over your bookshelf."

She jumps to her feet. "You wouldn't dare."

I shrug. "If I'm provoked..." I leave it hanging.

"Fine." She slumps back on the bed, hair in her face. "I won't go. I wasn't planning on it anyway."

I cross my arms. "Riiiiiight."

"Dinnertime!" Mom cries from downstairs.

I jump up and stop at the threshold of my room to give Vivia a smile and a friendly reminder. "Remember the paint."

"Yeah, yeah. Have fun."

I slide on my butt down the stairs and jump to my feet at the dining room table. "Hi, Mom and Dad and Lyra. I have an announcement."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Dad chuckles.

I take a deep breath and look at Vivia, who's coming down the stairs. She gives me an unobtrusive thumbs-up and a smile. I turn back to the table.

"I have a date today."

Dad jumps up and slams his hands down on the table. "What?!"

I step back, startled. "A date with a boy from my school."

Vivia clears her throat and says importantly, "Name - Cyreone James Brown. Physical description - short black dreads, African-American, six feet, two inches, lean, brown eyes, tattooed. No social media, birthday and social security number unknown. Any other questions?"

I look at her with a mixture of annoyance and relief. "He's super nice and very trustworthy, I promise. So...can I go?"

Mom puts a hand on Dad's shoulder, and he sits back down. "Of course, Esme. I'm proud of you. When and where is it?"

"Six o'clock, Shakespeare's Pizza, the one a block away. I was planning on walking there."

Mom glances at Dad and he grumbles, "I'll drive you, but I'm meeting this Cyreone James Brown. Alright?"

I roll my eyes. "Fine, Dad." I pull out my phone and text Cereal,

Me: Is it okay if my dad meets you before the date tonight? He's driving me in.

In a few seconds, I get a reply.

Cereal: Sure, as long as he doesn't bite my head off.

I glance up. "He says it's fine, but don't bite his head off, okay, Dad?"

He nods, smiling, and says, "I won't. Let go."