Paper Airplane [s.m]

Seven

Shawn- hey I'm going to Central Park today, would you want to join me?

I've been talking to Shawn over text for about a week. Alex always gets super excited when I text him in school but none of my other friends know. It's not like he's a secret, I just haven't told them.

Roni- yeah of course.

Shawn- you can bring a friend too if you want.

That's better, it will feel more friendly if there's another person there. I quickly invite Alex, who happily accepts. He tells me to meet him at the park at noon, so I tell Alex to come over at 11:00.

When she arrives we walk to Central Park together and talk about random stuff.

"Well I know my mom speaks Japanese but my little brother is homeschool I think." I tell her.

"When did your mom have time to learn Japanese with a child like you?" She asks.

"Hey, I was a good kid." I tell her as the trees and rocks come into view. I see Shawn sitting on a rock. We walk up to him and he stands up to greet us. I feel like he's about to hug me until he stops him self and just smiles. Alex stands off to the side witnessing all the awkwardness.

"Hey Roni." He says.

"Hi Shawn. Oh this is my friend Alex." I say and point to her. She smiles and waves but stays silent.

"Well, shall we?" He says dismissing the awkward tension.

We start to walk and he tells me about this interview he did yesterday. The woman was really cringy and made bad puns but he talked about his new tour and his album.

"Wait so she seriously said that? Does this woman have no filter?" Alex asks.

"I don't know." He shakes his head and laughs.

"There you are!" Jade exclaims walking up to Alex. I'm confused and surprised and I don't know what to think.

"Well we're gonna get going." Alex says and kisses her cheek. I glare at her. This was her plan all along. Why does she not get that I have a boyfriend and I can not be flirty with Shawn?

"Oh bye?" Shawn says. He's just as confused as I am apparently. It'll be less awkward if he's aware of what she's doing so I lean over and tell him.

"She ships it." I whisper.

"She what?" He asks with wide eyes.

"She ships us, that was her plan, to leave us alone." I tell him.

"Oh." He says and looks down. He looks uncomfortable so I change the subject.

"How long are you staying in New York?" I ask. We've talked about it before but never discussed specific dates.

"I think the beginning of March." He says. I just nod my head and we continue to walk through the park.

"I have a question." I tell him.

"What is it?" He asks and looks over at me.

"We're friends right?" I ask. We've talked for only a week but I feel like we've developed a sort of friendship.

"Yeah of course." He tells me.

"So you'd want to come over for my birthday?" I ask.

"Yeah sure, when is it?" He says.

"Oh October 26." I tell him.

"That's next week, why did I not know until now?" He asks.

"I don't know it didn't come up in conversation." I say with a short laugh.

"You have to tell me these things ahead of time." He shakes his head and I laugh at him. "But yes, I'll be there." He smiles.

The rest of the day is spent laughing and walking around Central Park. He walks me home and drops me off in my apartment lobby. As the elevator goes up to my floor, I pull out my phone and check my messages. I have one from Daisy and two from Dylan. I answer Daisy first since I'm kind of irritated with Dylan right now.

Daisy- aunt June and I are going out to dinner, we assumed you'd be gone so just know that nobody is home.

I don't reply because I don't think it's necessary. It'll be nice to have the apartment to myself though. I check Dylan's messages next.

Dylan- hello.

Dylan- I think you should fly home for your birthday.

I can't help but get angry as I read the text. I have many reasons why I would not fly to Arizona for my birthday. I can't even think of one reason that I should. He's been ignoring me lately so I doubt he'd want to see me anyways. Also, it's not my home. My mom doesn't live there anymore. It's just a place where I used to live.

Roni- I can't I have plans for my birthday.

I think that's simple enough.

Dylan- fine then I'm flying to New York.

I read the message at least 5 times before I think of something to say. I'm so confused.

Roni- what?

Dylan- I'm your boyfriend and I want to see you.

Roni- okay? See you then?

There's no stopping him so I should just go along with it. Maybe we can talk through some stuff when he gets here anyways. He can tell me what's been bothering him lately. There has to be a reason why he's been weird lately.