what we do best

part eleven

"No, it's ridiculous. They should have ended up together and those are facts," Tristan shrugs, waving his fork around for emphasis on the fact that his favorite TV show characters did not, in fact, end up together.

"But that's so cliché! It adds mystery, it makes you care about the characters," I point out. Tris frowns, kicking me under the lunch table.

"I'm a hopeless romantic, and you know it," Tris sighs and makes movie-style dreamy eyes.

"I know," I say, tapping the toe of my shoe against his. Tris straightens his posture and looks me in the eyes.

"So, listen," Tristan starts. "My moms want to take me and Josh and Addie upstate for Memorial Day weekend."

"But we were going to go to that concert in the park. I already got the tickets and everything," I'm more sad than mad. It's not his fault.

"I know. I tried to tell them that, but they said it was a 'family vacation' before summer starts. It's so last minute and I'm mad about it, too," Tris reaches across the table to take my hand.

"Hey, it's okay. You'll have service, right? I'll text you and stuff. It's only three days," I run my thumb over his knuckles.

"But I'll miss your face," Tris smiles sweetly.

"I'll send you pictures," I reassure him. "And we only have about a month left of school. Then we have the whole summer."

"You're too good to me."

"I'm not nearly enough."

+++

Walking in the front door, something is different. The house feels cleaner, more organized. Only one beer bottle is visible and is resting atop a coaster. My father emerges from down the hall, in a suit and tie.

He's neatly shaven and showered. "Hello, Oliver."

"Where are you going?" I ask, tentative. My hands clutch my keys, just in case.

"Job interview. Those government checks aren't going to last much longer," He says, adjusting his collar.

"Oh. Good luck," I tell him before disappearing into my room. I think I might've even seen him smile out of the corner of my eye.

+++

O: u will never guess what happened

T: Tell me everything

O: my dad went for a job interview. and he was nice to me

T: That's good! Things are getting better?

O: hope so. im gonna show zoey titanic for the first time tonight

T: She's only nine! Don't scar her!

O: draw me like one of ur french girls

T: Later 😉 Just kidding, go have fun. I love you

O: I love you more

T: I love you moistest

T: MOSTEST

+++

Texting Tristan makes me miss him more. Is this what loving someone is like? Missing them if you're not at their side 24/7?

Dad has job interviews all weekend. Sometimes he'll bring us home takeout, and we'll eat like a family.

Zoey is over the moon.

+++

T: I'm home! Come over in an hour?

O: finally. see u then