I Deposited Money, He Withdrew My Heart

Chapter 7

'Pick me up byatch!'

I text Amy early in the morning, because one - I don't want to walk. I had no sleep last night at all thanks to Julian's little message in my phone. Reason number two? I need Amy's expert advice as to what to do.

'FDSHLREIH IT'S EARLY MOLE!! WHY'D YA TEXT ME?! ... also, fine. See you at 8 xo'

I slowly get myself ready for school, my mum and dad not even noticing my less than average enthusiasm for life in general. Amy texts me, too lazy to get out of her car. I run outside and get into the cute as a button VW Polo.

"What's the deal babe?" she asks as soon as I'm in.

I kind of just stare blankly at her. "Just drive to coffee," I manage to get out.

We go to work and get coffee, then we're back in the car.

"If you spill anything on Marco's interior, I'll cry," Amy says with a serious look. Yes, her car's name is Marco Polo. Original. "Right, so spill the beans."

"Julian gave me his number," I spit out quickly.

Amy literally slams on her brakes and nearly kills us. Some guy honks furiously and drives around us while screaming abusive words. She doesn't seem to hear him.

"Julian De Vizio gave you his number?" she repeats, her brown eyes wide.

"Yeah, in a note on my phone," I explain.

"Have you messaged him yet?" she asks instantly.

"Uh, no," I reply as though it's so obvious.

"Well do it!" she screeches.

"Ok, so here's where you come in," I start, giving her a look that tells her to calm the farm. "I like Will," I say simply. "Julian's cute, and really nice, but I like Will."

Amy seems to realise she's stopped in the middle of the road and pulls over before turning to me. "Will has a girlfriend," she says slowly, like she's talking to someone who doesn't speak English.

"I know," I say, sounding a little whiney. "But-"

"No buts," Amy says gently, then giggles at the word 'buts'. "Will has a girlfriend. You can't spend your whole life hoping someone will eventually become single for you. Trust me." She pouts at me. "You said yourself, Julian is cute and nice." She shrugs. "So what's stopping you? Apart from Will."

I sigh, spinning my coffee cup around in my hands. "I don't know. If I'm not a hundred percent on this, doesn't that mean I shouldn't do it?" I ask, trying to get myself out of this.

"No!" Amy snaps immediately. "Will is clouding your vision. It wouldn't matter if Ryan Gosling came up and asked to marry you, you'd still say no until you get over Will."

I know she's right. I know that no one will ever compare to Will if I keep comparing them to him. Will has Ellise, and they're perfect together. Maybe Julian and I can eventually have what they have. Who knows? But I won't know if I don't try.

"So when do I text him?" I ask, giving her a hesitant smile.

She just squeals in response and starts driving to school. Some help she is.

"Now," Amy says when we sit down for lunch, and I look at her weirdly. "Text him now," she says, sounding annoyed that it takes me so long to catch on to these things.

"What do I say?" I ask dumbly.

Amy looks at me like I'm crazy. "What would you normally say?" She laughs.

Normally? There is no normally for me? This is like a first basically. I construct a message to Julian's number.

'Hey! It's Jocelyn :)'

I show it to Amy then start to question it. "Does that look too happy? There's an exclamation point and a smiley face. He might think I'm super keen," I start rambling.

Amy's hand comes up and holds my mouth closed, while her other one grabs my arm and drags me along for five minutes until we're behind the sports stadium. We get some weird looks.

"Dude what the heck?" I ask her when she releases my mouth and arm.

She simply holds up her finger to silence me and taps a few keys on my phone, then hands it to me. I look at it weirdly, and it takes me a second to realise she's calling Julian. I freak out immediately and press the end button, even though I'm pretty sure I just heard him answer.

"Why would you do that?!" I shriek at her.

"Cause I knew you'd be penissy!" she says with an eye roll.

"Penissy?" I ask, confused.

"Yeah, people say pussy like it's weak and scared. But vajayjay's are better than penises. Anyway! Focus!" She snaps her fingers in my face.

And at that moment, my phone starts ringing, and of course it's Julian.

"What do I do?" I yell, wanting to cry like a little girl.

"Answer it dipshit!" Amy snaps.

Gosh darn it! I hit the answer button and bring my phone up to my ear. "Hello?" I squeak, and Amy gives me a look of pure amusement.

"Hey, uh, I just had a missed call from this number?" Julian asks, sounding really confused.

Ah, here goes nothing. "Uh, yeah, um, it's Jocelyn. Sorry, my phone must be playing up," I say lamely.

"Oh hey Jocelyn!" Julian replies, brightening up immediately.

"Hey," I reply shyly. "So... I opted to call you... maybe? Definitely. Since I did it." Oh shut up Jocelyn. Seriously shut up.

Amy's having a field day watching me struggle, and she's fighting back fits of laughter. I flip her off and lean against the wall of the indoor sports stadium.

Julian just laughs. "So did you have fun last night?" he asks.

"Yeah, it was awesome. You guys were great." I quickly remember what day it is. "You'll be fine tonight," I say confidently.

"I'm still nervous as anything," Julian replies. Quiet for a second then he says, "How about if we get through I take you out this weekend? Like Friday night?"

My eyes are probably bulging out of my head right now. "Ok," is my genius reply.

"Awesome. Well I gotta go to rehearsals for tonight," he says, and I hear muffled noises in the background. "But I'll think of something and let you know."

"Sounds good," I say, not sounding confident in the slightest. "Talk to you later."

"Bye Joc," he says, and the call is terminated.

I glare at Amy. "I have a date with Julian this Friday night."

"Weeeeeee!" she squeals, jumping on me. "I am a miracle worker."

Is she? I think about how sweet and gorgeous Julian was last night. I think about his blue eyes, their corners crinkling up the slightest every time he would let out his carefree laugh.

"Ok, yeah, you're a miracle worker," I admit, because I'm really excited.

In three days, I will be on a date with Julian De Vizio.