sleepy city [discontinued]

2 | iphone 6

london

I couldn't stop thinking of the boy in the bookstore and I couldn't believe he was slick enough to give me his number. I took a shower when I got home; it was late and the sky was set in a dim sunset. Before I decided to text him, I got everything I was supposed to get done finished, besides my hair. I was making all of these scenarios up while I finished my chores. One scenario was him asking to FaceTime me when my hair was in bantu knots. When I was finished with everything I went in my bedroom and kept the light dimmed. My younger brother and sister were upstairs with my younger cousin who was sleeping over, loud and watching television. My grandparents were in the living room, also watching tv. My dad checked out at 10. As soon as I was about to text him, my grandmother bust in.

"Goodnight, London." She smiled sweetly with her head poked through the door.

"Goodnight, Nana. Love you." I really wanted to tell her to stop cockblocking, especially during my spring break.

She closed the door behind her, and I dimmed the lights a little more. I kept my journal and my book by me just in case someone came in. I wanted to let them know that I was still up but reading instead of texting a legal, older guy who had features they wouldn't support. I put my Adidas t-shirt on as a night gown. I pulled the slip of paper out, saving the number with a contact name of "bookstore boy".

After what seemed like forever, I texted him. Then I waited. I locked my screen and stared at it. It vibrated on my white comforter.

"i didn't think you were going to text me."

I tried to wait at least one minute by finishing the chapter I was reading.

"yeah sorry, i wanted to wait until everyone was asleep."

After a few seconds if seeing him typing, I locked my screen again. His reply was almost instant. He said it was fine, a genuine smiley face emoji accompanying the message. I wondered if he really smiled. It made me recall a time where I saw him smile at the bookstore. His teeth were really white.

"so what's good?" he asked. "i saw you staring at me."

I laughed and tried not to say something stupid. I told him he was also staring, then he said he was doing it because I was.

"i'm jackson." I changed his contact name.

"london." I imagined us shaking hands at the store, us sharing a table.

I asked for his age, and I felt like such a little girl. He was 18, just as I suspected. When he asked me, I froze up only for a second, then I typed the two numbers and sent them.

"did you do anything big for your sweet sixteen?" I had just turned in December, and I'm almost finishing my sophomore year in high school.

"i didn't."

"aw." he said with a sad face, making me smile. "why not?"

"to me, 16 is just a number, and I only went shopping at H&M." That was my favorite store, and weeks earlier all I asked for was H&M gift cards from family and family friends.

"besides, i don't have a lot of friends anyway."

Jackson said he could relate because he was about to start college, but he was confused because I was in high school. He asked why. I cut them off because I had to improve my grades to get into a good college, make the soccer team, and for my mom to get me a new phone. I really only had one best friend and three others that I kept close. My best friend had the same strategy as I for our remaining years of high school.

"sometimes it be like that."

I couldn't tell if he was serious or trying to be funny. I sent the laughing emoji and I immediately felt stupid.

"you laugh at the things people usually don't laugh at."

Thanks for pointing that out, jeez. I make everything so awkward. I palmed my big, dumb forehead.

"i like that."

1am came and went, and was getting hungry. I brought my phone with me I the kitchen. I replied to a text quickly, then I heard my Dad's bedroom door open and close. I acted normal as possible as put my Kraft macaroni and cheese in the microwave. Dad asked why I had my phone this late. My phone buzzed.

I made a school related excuse, saying the buzzing was an email from a teacher giving details on an assignment we had to complete. He nodded and left the kitchen with some cold salami. My phone vibrated again, reminding me I had a text from Jackson. I brought the little cup of mac and cheese to my room and checked the message.

"facetime me, please?"

"why?" I asked.

"please? not gonna show anything, promise." I fixed my hair and moisturized my face, then I did.

The call said connecting... almost instantly. It connected and made the sound and now I could see his beautiful face, tattoo included.

"Blow a kiss for me." His voice was so deep, deep enough to give me the chills (but not in a bad way). I could tell he wasn't wearing a shirt. I blew a kiss with my lips pursed. He told me goodnight and I said it back. I read the conversation over a few times before going to sleep.

sleepy city updated every sat @10pm