Proceed With Caution

Chapter 8

The next day at school, Carrie followed me to my locker to get my calculus textbook.

"So, mija, how was your date with Justin?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively as I shut my locker. Carrie blushed.

"Oh, it was so romantic! He took me to see a scary movie and I got scared so he put his arm around me and held me close! And he kissed me on the cheek before he left!" she squealed. I smiled encouragingly.

"Cool! So, are you seeing him again?"

"Yes! He's gonna text me about it soon, I think." she said and smiled widely, twirling her hair with her finger.

"That's sweet. Sounds like he's a nice guy. Maybe I judged him too quickly," I said.

"I think I really like him. He makes my heart beat fast when he looks at me, and I feel like light shines down on us from the heavens above." Carrie mooned, a lovesick look glazing over her eyes.

"Oh gosh, don't start with this now." I said jokingly. She laughed.

"I'm just saying, when you really like someone you'll feel all these things. And you'll feel that nothing makes sense, but nothing has to make sense. And then-"

"Alright, Doctor Matthews. Calm your ass down." I said, cutting her off. Sometimes she liked to intentionally go on some lovey-dovey spiel like that just to annoy me.

"No, I'm serious! Don't you feel that way when you're with Connor?" she asked.

"Well, I guess. But I don't say it out loud. It sounds daft." I answered.

"Where's Connor, by the way?" Carrie said. I shrugged.

"I don't know, but we probably should be going to the hall soon," I said.

Just as Carrie and I were about to walk down the corridor to the hall, I saw a figure sprinting towards us.

"Angelbabycakes!" it yelled. Of course it was Connor, because no one else could come up with such a mawkish nickname.

When he reached me, he grabbed me in a tight hug. I leaned my head against his chest and hugged him back.

"Well, isn't someone eager." I said.

"Angie, I bought you something." he said, waving a paper bag in front of my face. I groaned.

"Dude, thank you, but you know I don't like it when you give me gifts. I'll feel eternally indebted to you."

"Well, this one's special!" he exclaimed. He handed me the paper bag. I reached inside, and pulled out a red heart-shaped tin box. I peeled the tape off the sides of it and removed the cover.

"Chocolate?! Oh my gosh, you're the best! Muchas gracias!" I screamed and hugged him again. He laughed and patted my back.

"Aww! That's so sweet!" Carrie gushed, clasping her hands together.

"Um, I got the coffee-flavoured ones and the ones with alcohol. I know they're your favourites," Connor muttered shyly.

"Did I mention that you're the best?" I said, smiling. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and I wrapped mine snugly around his waist. We stayed in each other's arms for a good minute, and as I got more and more lost in his embrace, the chattering of the school diminuendoed.

Suddenly, someone cleared their throat loudly, yanking me back to reality. The mass of students stopped what they were doing and quietened down. I wondered what all the fuss was about.