White Noise

10

"So you never answered my question this morning about how your date went last night," Caroline said as she pulled out of the school parking lot, barely stopping at the stop sign.

"That wasn't a full stop," I commented, and I didn't need to look at her to know that she was scowling.

"They call it a California roll for a reason."

"Yeah, well a 'California roll' isn't going to get you a pass on your driving test next Thursday," I scolded mildly.

It was crazy to think that in less than a week she'd be sixteen. She still seemed like the little six year old knocking on my door in the middle of the night, wanting to cuddle.

"I know," she barked, her tone laced with annoyance. "Stop changing the subject. How did your date go?"

Thankfully, Caroline was already in her room when I had gotten home last night. I was glowing with giddiness and the last thing I wanted was for her to see me smiling like a deranged idiot. Plus, I knew that I wouldn't have been able to hold it in if she asked me anything. I'm sure I would've told her everything. This morning, I had managed to avoid any of her questions about it and luckily she wasn't that persistent because she was tired. But now, I knew I was trapped.

"It wasn't a date," I replied as calmly as I could. Just thinking about last night, his lips on mine, his breath, his smile...my heart was lurching out of my chest and I squeezed my hands together to keep myself from shivering.

"Stop being annoying," she insisted. "What's his name?"

"You don't know him," I said. "There's a stop light up here."

"Yeah I got that. I'm not blind," she scoffed. "What grade is he in?"

"He's a senior."

She stayed silent for a moment and stopped at the red light before turning to study me. "I don't know him? Don't tell me he's one of those nerdy guys who sits in the library with no friends."

I glared at her. "Don't be mean. But no, he's not."

"Then how do I not know him?" God, she could be so arrogant sometimes. Like she actually knew every guy in the senior class.

"He doesn't go to Whitewood," I confessed. The light had changed a few seconds ago and she was still staring at me. "It's green."

Her head snapped back to the road and she accelerated into the intersection. "Then where does he go? Oh God, don't tell me he goes to Buckley."

I stared out my window, not responding.

"Oh my god! Kate! Are you serious?" she yelled dramatically, taking my silence as a yes. "All the guys at that school are pricks. How are you, of all people, dating one?"

"We're not dating," I replied. "We went on one date. That's it."

"You've been texting him non stop for like a week. That's more than just a one date situation."

"How do you know I've been texting him?" I asked defensively.

"You're joking right?" she said, glancing at me for a moment with a pointed look. "You smile at your phone more than I think I've ever seen you smile in your entire life."

I felt my face heat up but I huffed in an attempt to disagree. "I do not."

"I want to meet this kid," she said strongly. "See what his deal is."