One fateful summer, fashionable, sweet, city-raised Fianna is stuck in the middle of nowhere- and happens to live next door to tough, hardworking, all-around country girl Jaycee.
One's gay. The other... well, she isn't sure anymore.
Ask her again at...
I rushed through dinner. Once my plate was clear, I jumped up from the table and piled my dishes into the sink.
"You got somewhere to be?" My grandma asked.
"Uh, yeah," I answered like it was a stupid question. Because technically, it was. But I have to remind them of my schedule any time they ask anyway. "Jaycee and I always hang out every Wednesday night."
"But this late in the day?" My dad questioned.
I don't have time to be interrogated.
"Yeah. It's the only time she's free."
My sister scoffed. "She was clearly free yesterday. And the day before that."
"So? We still have to meet at our place every Wednesday."
"Wait, you have a secret place?" Nicole repeated.
All three of them stared back at me.
I swallowed and nodded. Why can't I keep my mouth shut...
"Can I come?"
I had to think fast. "Next week, okay? Shawn might wanna come too, and I think she's already waiting on me," I said, inching toward the door. "Bye!" I practically yelled, shutting the door behind me.
I picked out an especially cute outfit that morning, it being a Wednesday and all. I chose a white cropped tee decorated with vintage Care Bears and high waisted mom-jeans. Lastly I added small silver hoops and off-white converse. Every time I showered, my hair would curl naturally, so I left the house with beach waves (and a vanilla scent).
One brisk walk (and jogging some of the way) later I came upon our little shack. Jay was nowhere to be seen. I pulled out my phone. The time was 7:29. I sent her a text.
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I gasped as I was struck with an idea. I ran up to the house, slipped through the crack in the door, and waited, hidden beside it.
The wood floor behind me creaked. "Boo."
I let out a scream at least twelve octaves higher than my normal voice. I had to refrain from reflexively smacking her into next week. Jay doubled over with laughter so hard there was no sound.
I tried to catch my breath through my anger, only slightly amused. Only slightly. "You suck, Jaycee!"
She managed to stand. "Don't act like you weren't gonna scare me. I saw you run in giggling to yourself!"
"That's different! I'm jumpy. I almost hit you. Did you hear how high my voice went?"
That only made her laugh more.
"You're such a mess. Look at you, you can't even breathe."
She continued to chuckle. "There is not a single animal around here for miles after that scream," she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Oh god, that was so worth it. I scared two different deer I thought were you."
