Cruel Summer- Caitlin Clark

12. I don't think I want to go to Des Moines anymore

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a little bit nervous." 

"There isn't anything to be worried about, Rory. Everyone loves you." 

"Aww, thank you, Caitlin."

We were in Caitlin's car, driving to Iowa City for Thanksgiving. My brother was going to fly to Des Moines so that he could meet us there.

"My parent's are a little bit strict, but hating you is like hating ice cream, or in your world, slurpees. It's just not possible." 

"Yeah." I say, taking a deep breath in. 

I noticed that Caitlin and I had gotten closer and closer by the day. I really wanted us to become more then just friends, but I am to scared to ask her. What if she doesn't like me like that, or something like that. 

"So, have you ever been to Des Moines before?"

"Nope." 

"Well, I love it so much. I know that you come from a pretty big city, so it is going to feel super big to you, but it is huge for me. Especially, after living in Iowa City." 

"I know! Iowa City is not very big, though. It is like half the size of my suburb." 

"That's crazy. What did you do in Boston."

"Wait!? You've never been to Boston!?" 

"Nope."

"That's crazy!!"

"I bet that you'll like Des Moines more than Boston." 

"No way!! I love Boston way to much!"

"Okay, well if you like Des Moines more, than we have to bet something!"

"Okay, fine. If I don't like Des Moines more, you have to come to Boston with me, so that I can show you why it is so much better!"

"Okay, bet! But I bet that you will really really really like Des Moines!"

"That isn't what we agreed to!"

"Ugh, you win!" 

"Anyways, are you excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Thanksgiving has always kind of been a big thing in my family. But I'm so glad that you decided to come with me!" 

As we pull up to Caitlin's house, her tone suddenly changed. 

"I need to talk to you about something really really important." 

"Um, okay." I say, laughing. 

"No, Rory. It's really really serious." 

"You're freaking me out." I say. 

"Okay, well like you know my younger brother, Colin. Right?"

"Um, yeah."

"Well, a couple of months ago, he filed for emancipation. Apparently he was like getting really crazy and stuff. Anyway, it is just getting super hard for my family because like, obvious reasons. I just wanted to let you know, that is why my parents only refer to having two children, and why I sometimes say that I don't have a younger brother. It is just more ethical, and it was his choice anyway." 

"Oh my gosh, Caitlin. I'm so so sorry."

"It's okay, it's what he wanted." 

"Everyone is okay now, but I just didn't want you to be confused if they refer to me as the youngest, or something like that." 

"Thank you so much for telling me." 

As we walked up to the door, I felt myself getting super nervous again. What if they don't like me? What if they don't think that I'm good enough?