Detour

38: Late Calls

"I literally missed you girl. I want to see you, and hang out with you but—" Her loud sigh came through the call. "Classes are going on, vacation is so far away. How's school anyway? Here, it gets boring and making my head hurt. I got a new crush this year, you won't believe how he got this perfect biceps when he's only in music club, and he's only in first year..."

Astrid called later this day when I'm currently at the supermarket to buy supplies I need in my flat. I hurriedly went here after school because 1) I'm too tired to change clothes and come back here, 2) It's not crowded at this hour, and 3) I just got my allowance from my amazing mom.

I check the dairy section and get some butter for my toast. "First year? I thought you like older guys?" I made sure I wore my earphones before I replied to Astrid.

"Yeah, well, I guess change is constant—Like you, looking like a guy the first time I saw you in Amsterdam, yet now you look like a goddess in Greek mythology."

Goddess? In Greek mythology? Trust Astrid when it comes to similes and metaphors. I'm about to retort back but never got to for some reasons.

She laughed in her own sentence. "Talking about change, have you changed your mind about my brother lately? Did you now realize how pesky he actually was?"

Now it's my turn to laugh. "He was actually witty, As—aside from pesky."

I heard her "Witty monster" before letting out a chortle. "How's it going you two? Do you have problems with him so far? You know we can kick his ass."

"We're great, you can kick his ass though for not texting me today." I went to the veggies section and get myself a lettuce and some tomatoes. "I just...missed hanging out with him. Kinda worried about the distance between us, you know, things can change fast—I don't know, should I be worried?" I didn't worry about spilling out to Astrid about anything. Everything felt natural and comfortable with her. I'm glad people like this exists in my life. I thought I'd isolate myself forever when Harry and I got separated.

"Growing up with him, I'd say he's more a worrier himself. I don't know if that characteristics of him changed but it felt really nice knowing someone truly cares for you. He'd wake up in the middle of the night and go downstairs to pour me some milk because he found out I can't sleep..."

I suddenly remember his receipt on the car floor. I didn't expect he'd actually write on it to remind me to text him I went home safe.

"So, I think you've got nothing to worry about him at all. Knowing him, he's just as crazy as other people when they meet an extraordinary girl like you Jess. I'm having a bet whether you two can last forever." She broke into a laughter with no hints of ending. "Just kidding, I know you guys can work it out even if it's hard."

"Gee, thanks. We haven't even started..." I grimace inwardly.

"That's right, start slow—and don't worry about Cole getting a rival. A rival is good." She laughed again. I think Astrid is beginning to hit her head with that first year guy.

"If you only know, nobody's got a rival. Even in my youngest years."

"Oh, I totally doubt it!"

"Now I don't even know what you're talking about." I shake my head, my lips curving. "It's way too impossible for someone to like me. Since then, I've been hanging out with my brother's friends and nobody ever came up to me and confessed—no."

Fuck.

My words caught in the air when I remember once again the memories of the first guy who almost ruined my high school life.