Nothing Between Us (Revised Edition)

Chapter Two

There's nothing more exciting than receiving a box in the mail. Specifically, a box with Jace's return address on it. We exchanged addresses a while back, but I don't recall Jace telling me he'd be sending anything. The brown box is covered in little doodles of faces and books, and worms wearing glasses. I didn't know he could draw.

I grin to myself as I carry the box toward the spare room, which my mom has allowed me to turn into a workspace. My bookshelves, my laptop and PC, and my camera equipment are all set up. I just need a pair of scissors.

"Mom!" I shout, setting the box down in front of the shelves. "Did you take my scissors?"

I like keeping my own office supplies. There's a drawer in the kitchen with all the household things, but everything in this room was purchased by me with my own allowance money. And yet, Mom is always taking my stuff!

"I thought I put them back!" she yells from somewhere else in the two-and-a-half bedroom apartment.

I look at my desk at the giant, purple pen holder.

"You did not!"

I sit cross-legged on the floor and watch the door, waiting. A bit later, Mom enters, scissors in hand with an apologetic smile.

"There are three pairs of scissors in the kitchen drawer," I say, as calmly as I can. "These are mine and a staple in my book unboxing videos. If they are not where I leave them, my brain goes nutty. Also, I hope you didn't use them on something other than paper. They are not for fabrics."

"I was slicing through the tape on a box of tampons," she counters, placing the handle in my waiting hand. "I have new fabric scissors in my kit."

I arch an eyebrow, "Okay. You got a free pass... this time."

"What'd you get this time?" Mom asks, sitting in my desk chair as I stick the pointy part of the blade into the tape.

"It's a box from Jace, and no; I do not know what it is."

"Oh, that boy you've been talking to online?"

I sigh, "There's only one person I know named Jace, Mom."

I rise from the floor to go to where my camera tripod is set up in front of the window. Normally, I will kick Mom out while I film a video, but I don't mind her being present. She's helped hold cue cards for me during tag videos.

"I'm not sure if Jace wants me making a public video about this," I say, pulling out my phone and tapping the messaging app. "But filming my organic reactions makes it more fun."

I type him a quick message and set the device on my desk.

"Do you have an inkling of what he may have sent you?" Mom asks, turning the chair as her gaze follows me back to my spot on the floor.

"Well, it must be book-related," I reply, taking a deep breath before smiling at the camera. "This is a video for Jason, from Jason's Book Adventures. I have received quite a mysterious package in the mail today and I have no memory of us discussing any reading club titles or book exchanges, so... I'm going to be unboxing this for you. Note to Editor Izzy: Add new channel intro in post."

I raise the box and smile for what I hope will be a thumbnail. Mom snickers and I bat a hand in the air, miming the motion of swatting at her.

"It's cute!" she says in her defense. "I can leave if you want."

"Yeah, that would be best," I reply, rolling my eyes.

Mom continues laughing as she leaves, closing the door behind her. I exhale in relief and turn back to the camera lens.

"Edit out Mom in post," I say, clearing my throat. "Let's get cracking."

With the box nestled in my lap, I purse my lips as I open the top flaps which are also covered in bookish doodles.

"I love the artwork," I say, tapping each of the doodles. "Personalization wins you many points..."

I gasp when I see what's inside.

"You did not!"

I pick up a book from the stack and gawk at the cover.

"Okay," I look at the camera with my mouth open. "I remember mentioning this book a while back and my desire to have a copy once it released. I was not hinting that I wanted someone else to get it for me. And I know you know that."

I proceed to bring out book after book, each one adding to my surprise. There are no words to describe the feeling in my chest other than warm and fuzzy. Does this mean what I think it means?

When my mom gave me the "Boy Talk" she told me that boys show their interests in different ways.

"Some boys will tease you while others lavish you with gifts," she'd said on my thirteenth birthday. "You're old enough to know about boys and it's possible you already have a group of admirers. So if a boy likes you, and you like him too, you better talk to me."

I get off the floor, leaving the stack of books in front of the shelf, and I go to turn off my camera.

"Mom," I say, going to the door and opening it. "Can you come back for a second?"

The bedroom door across from me opens. Mom, wearing her light-up glasses and a needle held in her lips, looks at me as if I have announced a fire.

"What's up?" she asks, taking the needle from her mouth and sticking it into the ball in her hand.

"If a boy sends you a box of your favorite thing in the world, it's a romantic gesture, right?"

I cross one arm over my chest, propping the other as I stick my thumbnail between my teeth. The last time I brought up anything to do with a boy, it didn't go anywhere. He's been ghosting me and pretends to not see me in the halls at school.

"I can be," she replies as her eyes light up. "But then, you both like books. You did say its a common thing for bookworms to do, to send each other books."

"Yes," I say, nodding my head. "But this is a box of books from my wishlist. A wishlist I only shared in video form, a few months ago. A month before that, I exchanged addresses with Jason. Only Jason."

"I think that he likes you. Are any of the books ones you wanted more than others?"

I smile, "My top 3 are in there."

Mom mirrors my smiles while reaching her hand toward me, and pokes my rib. I flinch back and push her hands away.

"You're not going to give me a speech about me having met him online?" I ask, self-conscious as I pull my shirt down.

"No speech," she replies, shaking her head. "I just wonder if you'll make plans to meet him in person soon?"

"I would like to meet him in person, someday."

"Okay; is there anything else you want to know or say?"

I shake my head and back into my mini-office, closing the door before me. Pressing my forehead against the wood surface, I grin to myself. If Jason does like me, I know my time is well-spent. I'm not an expert at flirting, but I try to be as honest as possible with everything I tell him. Of course, I have not said a word about liking him or anything like that.

My phone starts ringing and I hurry to grab it. To my surprise, Jason is calling me. We've exchanged messages for a long time, but phone calls have not become part of the regime.

"Hello," I squeak, but then I clear my throat. "Hi, sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" he chuckles; I've heard his voice before, but only when he's speaking to a general audience.

"I had a frog in my throat and cleared it in a very unladylike manner."

"Is that what that was? Well, you're forgiven... Listen, I'm calling for two reasons. The first is your unboxing video. Do with it as you will. The second, my mom and I are going to be in your area in a few weeks and... I was wondering if you would like to meet somewhere?"

All I want to do is shout "Yes!" But I contain myself as a smile takes over my face.