How To Find Your Future

14 - Killing Me Or Making Out With Me?

Olivia

I'm sitting in my English class waiting for it to start when my phone buzzes. I scrunch my face as I pull my phone out of my hoodie's pocket. Who could be messaging me? Naomi's in class right now, Sasha is too, Nick would be working but he never texts me unless it's to ask me to cover for him. I doubt it would be him since he seemed fine yesterday. Mom also wouldn't text me since I'm at school and dad barely messages me for anything. Is it sad that I know those are the only people who would text me?

Unknown

Welp, I'm definitely not answering that. It's probably a link to some sketchy website that will steal all my info. I go to delete the message but the little preview catches my attention before I can.

Hey, It's Char...

Charlie? How'd he get my number? I swipe into the conversation instead of deleting it.

Hey, it's Charlie. I got your number from Naomi since I forgot to ask you for it

I shake my head. Thanks, Naomi. I add him as a contact before replying.

Hey, what's up?

There's a job fair after school. While we wait to hear about the showings I figured we could check it out?

This kind of sounds like he's asking me out, but he can't be. I know he isn't. I shake my head to get rid of the thought. It's all just part of finding a job for me. Nothing more.

What time?

I don't have to work today but I'm not sure if I'm really in the mood to walk around and check out jobs.

About 4

I'll think about it

The bell rings. I scramble to put my phone back in my pocket and pull out my book before my teacher yells at me.

***

I shove my books into my bag as kids around me push and shove their way through the halls. Naomi leans against the locker beside me. She glares at all the kids who pass by us.

"One of those days?" I ask.

She nods. "Does anyone in this school know how to not be annoying?"

I shake my head. "That would be too nice if they did."

She groans. "Moving onto a topic that might lift my spirits. Are you and Charlie going out?"

"No."

She rolls her eyes. "Not like that. I know you and Nick are already smooching faces."

My face goes hot. "No we're not!" But my voice is too high pitched when I say it.

She raises an eyebrow and wears that face that says she doesn't believe me. "Sure. Anyways, are you and Charlie going out to the job fair?"

"Oh." I shrug. "I haven't given it much thought."

"Well you better start. He's heading this way." She nods towards the opposite side of the hall.

I spin around and sure enough he's snaking his way through the crowd, his gaze brightens when he catches me watching.

I don't know whether to groan or grin. So I settle on waving. He slides up to me on the other side of my locker.

"So what's your decision?" he asks as he adjusts his grip on his backpack.

On one hand I know that I should go. It would give me the opportunity to see what's out there. Open my eyes to new jobs or close my eyes to previous ones. But on the other hand, I'm not sure I have the energy to walk around a boring job fair with old people talking about a job they only somewhat like.