Juliana

16. Just as friends, of course

"Oh my gosh, Robbie! I'm so glad we're finally video chatting! I haven't talked to you in an hour!"

"Yeah... What news do you have that's so important that you had to tell me over video chat?"

"I'm moving back to Star!!!" She bounced up and down. "Isn't that exciting? I told Mommy and Daddy how much I missed you, and since you're such a great guy, they talked with my grandparents. Long story short, I'm moving back to live with my grandparents! Aren't you excited?!"

"Actually, no. I think that this long distance thing is really helping us out. I feel us getting closer every day. The trust between us grows on a daily basis. Don't you like that?"

"Well, yes. But why should I accept that when I can now be with you twenty four hours a day, seven days a week? I already talked to the counselor by the way. She said that she'll be sure to make my schedule identical to yours. Same class periods and everything!"

"How much did you have to pay to make that happen?"

"Only a thousand dollars, but you're worth it." She smiled, and I nearly spit out the drink of water that I just taken.

"A thousand friggin' dollars?! Kylie... where'd you get that money? I thought y'all were poor..."

"I robbed the local bank. Don't worry though. I'm not dumb; I hired someone to do it for me and paid them off."

My eyes bugged out of my head. "That's insane! Look. I know this is way short, but I gotta go. I have to go work on homework."

"I'll see you tomorrow at midnight!"

"Yeah. Bye." I hung up on her before she could say anything else.

I sent Jules a text.

Me: you home so we can work on the project and putting the final touches on it?

Juliana: Yeah. Come on over! :D

I threw on some shoes and grabbed my wallet off my dresser. I ran down the stairs quickly.

"Tyla, where's Mom?"

My little sister looked up from her plate. "Laundry room. Why?"

"I'm leaving the house, and I just wanted to let her know that I won't be home for a while. Got Dalton's party tonight. Do you mind telling her for me? I don't really feel like walking across the house and down the steps."

"Lazy much? But sure. Whatever."

"Thanks, Ty. You're the best." I gave her a quick hug before grabbing the keys to my truck.

***

"Robbie. I'm still not a fan of this pink poster board." Juliana said as she glued things to the board. "I mean, it makes my eyes hurt."

"Trust me. It'll make us stand out." I used the ruler to flatten out one of the papers we had glued on. "Do you want to do the lettering, or do you want me to?"

"You."

"Do you want to strategically place the glitter then? And fair warning, I'll do the lettering, but I can't guarantee legibility."