Across the Maps

Chapter 24

"He is not hot," Cole rolls his eyes. "Girls," he mutters.

"Well," I say. "For one thing, you're a guy so obviously you wouldn't like him and I can think what I want to think about guys and I think that guy," I say pointing to the screen that shows Dylan O'Brian, "is hot."

"Whatever. I guess he's okay, but I'm way hotter," he smirks.

I let out a small laugh. "Well you do have self esteem and confidence."

"I'm only stating facts. I'm way hotter than him," he says the last word with fake disgust and I laugh.

"Yeah...sure. You just think what you want to think."

After we finish the movie, we head to Cole's room and hang out until it's late.
"It's past midnight," I sigh. "I should probably go get some rest."

"Yeah," he yawns. "Me too."

I stand up and start to head out of the room. "Night."

"Night," I hear him say just before I close my door.

I quickly change, brush my teeth, comb my hair and put it into a high messy bun, and get into bed, instantly falling asleep.

The rest of the week flies in a flash. Monday and Tuesday school is cancelled because of bad weather and the Thursday and Friday zoom by lightning speed.

Most of it goes well, except for Science. We get partnered up to do a project and I get this girl named Katani. She has light brown hair, large gray eyes, and pale porcelain skin.

"Um...hey," I say awkwardly. It's already halfway into the year and the only person I hang out with is Cole, and sometimes Jeremy.

"Hi," she smiles. "I'm Katani."

"I'm Wimberly." I reply. "So what are we going to do for the project?"

"Well," she says and then starts to explain her idea.

"That's a great idea," I squeal, excited. "We should hang out again to work on it."

"Your house or mine?" I question. "I don't care."

"Um urs,"she exclaims.

"Okay," I smile. "Come over on Saturday at one. Here's my address." I scribble my address on a crumpled piece of paper and hand it to her. She shoves it in her back pocket and the treads away.

Before I know it, it's Saturday. I quickly jump into the shower and then change into jeans, a light purple shirt with white lettering, and white converse. I slip into a warm gray jacket right as the doorbell rings.

I bolt downstairs and open the door. It's Katani. "Hey," I smile. "Come in." I open the door and she steps inside, taking in our huge front room.

"Hey," she greets. "Your house is huge."

"Um...thanks," I say. "Let's go to my room."

We stride upstairs and into my room. For a little while we research our project but then decide to take a break.

"This is seriously a great idea," I compliment, looking at the picture on my laptop.

"Uh thanks," she smiles. Just as she is about to say something more, someone knocks on my door.

"Come in," I yell and the door opens.

It's Cole. He wears a light gray shirt and jeans with rips in them. His hair is disheveled and he looks absolutely perfect.

"Hey Cole," I greet.

"Hey," he replies striding across the room and plopping down on my bed.

I turn to find Katani staring at him, her eyes large and mesmerized. She watches every move he makes and smiles. "Hi Cole," her voice is higher and girlier than before.

And that's when I knew. That's when I found out. Katani likes Cole.