"We've been over this. You're the best."
"No, you're the best."
"No way! You are."
"You."
"Ugh, whatever, you win. But I still think you're the best."
"I'll talk to you later cutie, get some sleep."
"You too! I love youuu!"
"You too."
The receiver clicks, and I lay back against my headboard, wondering how in the world I got so lucky. He's gorgeous, he's a sweetheart.. What did I do to deserve him?
I sit up, swinging my legs off the edge of my bed as the butterflies in my stomach make their departure. My mouth is suddenly dry, but talking for a few hours does do that to a girl.
The cell phone is abandoned on the bedspread as I sneak down to the kitchen, painfully aware that everyone in my house is asleep and that I'll be as good as dead if my mom finds out I'm not. It's easy to lose track of time when you're talking to Cody, and once in a while I exceed my family's "no phone after midnight" rule. This much is obvious, as the clock on the microwave reads three twenty-eight.
A drink of water and an aspirin later, I'm back in my bed, dreading the fact that my alarm will wake me up again in exactly two hours and thirteen minutes. I really do need to get a hold on my time management. Four years of high school, and I still haven't learned that I can't function on just two hours of sleep.
Just one more week, I comfort myself as I drift to sleep, one more week...
---
Death. Destruction. Horrid, horrid sunlight.
I guess I can't say I'm the brightest person within my awakening moments. I force myself to sit up, and take the movements mechanically as I stretch the stiffness from my muscles. One foot on the floor. Two feet on the floor. Now stand.
Dizzy with grogginess, I decide in a beat that today is a dressing up day.
I have a policy -- if I'm going to be tired in class, I'm at least going to be tired and look good. I'll make up for my lack of attentiveness with my effort in appearance.
One black dress, contact lenses, and a quick makeup routine later, I'm in the foyer.
"Mom! I can't be late today!" I shout impatiently as I hear the click of high heels from my parents' room gradually growing closer. Usually I would drive myself, but last month my car broke down, plus the fact that my mother is practically clinging to my side during this last week of high school.
"Pictures, Robyn! I told you I want a picture each morning of this last week." She ushers me towards the wall, and I don't bother arguing, despite the fact that even if we left now I'd only have twenty minutes at school before the bell signifying the beginning of first period.
Before long, my mother has snapped enough pictures to satisfy fifty normal mothers, and we're arriving in front of the large, prison-like structure that we apparently gain "essential knowledge for our future" within.
"Tell Cody I say hi! Have a good day sweetie," calls my mom as she circles the loop and disappears into the ocean of morning traffic that is the school parking lot from six to eight a.m.
The familiar hum of the building fills my ears as I enter, taking a moment to remember where I'm going. I run to meet Cody beneath the stairs as usual, and his blue eyes sparkle as he wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me up, mine around his neck. Pecking him on the nose, I ruffle my hands through his dark hair and he releases me, intertwining his hand with mine.
His eyes are what made me fall for him at first. When he's happy, they sparkle like the ocean as the sun hits it's individual waves. Nobody could make me happier.
"You look good today," he says with a smile as we walk toward my chemistry room.
"You look better," I retort, squeezing his hand.
Cassie catches up, grabbing my arm and hugging my waist. "Robynnn!!"
"Cassieeee!!" I reply with a similar squeal. "What's up home slice?"
"Home slice? You need help. Aren't you excited for tomorrow?" she says, with a speed that's entirely too energetic for seven forty five in the morning.
"I'm delivering a speech, so no, not really. Are you?" I peck Cody on the cheek after saying this, as he releases my hand and departs down the math hall.
"Ummm, yes. Last week isn't the last week without practicing the graduation ceremony!"
I chuckle again, "And you've definitely experienced the last week before."
Cassie scoffs, "Hello, my sister graduated last year. And my brother the year before. So yeah, you should say I've experienced a little bit. Besides, I have to give a speech too!"
"I believe you. I have to get to class! See you later Cass," I wave as she disappears through her classroom doorway.
--
"I'm sorry, I know you planned it for a while but I just can't make it. Really!" I grab Cody's hand and he pulls it back, sighing.
"Robyn, you said you'd be there! I know you're busy, but can't you just make one party on a Friday night? You said the same thing last time!"
"Calm down Cody, it's just a party. I'll make the next one! I just have a lot of homework."
Cody pauses for a moment, his jaw tensed and his eyes cold. Crap. After a few seconds, he relaxes visibly. "I guess you're right. Anyway, I should probably go."
"You aren't mad at me, are you?" I grab his hand again, and he doesn't pull back.
"No, you're right, I guess homework does come before social time anyway. I'll see you tomorrow."
Torn between pushing an apology and letting it go, I decide on the latter.
"Goodnight!"
As he walks down the sidewalk he turns back to wink at me with his butterfly-inducing eyes, and my heart melts all over again as I shut the door.
