Reading the Music

Chemistry

Oh my goodness, you will never guess what I just heard!   6:48pm

I look up from my chemistry paper and grab my phone. I read the text my best friend, Camille, sent me and reply.

What is it?   6:49pm

I know who likes you!   6:49pm

I pause. Do I really even want to know? I don't like anyone, but I am curious.

Who is it?   6:50pm

Ethan!!! <3   6:50pm

You've got to be kidding me. He's sweet and all that, but I definitely could not see myself dating him.

Oh.   6:51pm

That's too bad.   6:51pm

What do you mean that's too bad?! That's wonderful!! You haven't dated anyone since you were a sophomore!   6:52pm

It's true I guess, but I don't really care. I've lived through junior year without going on a single date, so I don't see why I can't do that this year too. Besides, we're already halfway through it. Right as I'm about to tell her to forget he ever said that, I feel the phone vibrate.

Hey Gracie. 6:54pm

I stare at it. I text Ethan all the time, but now that I know he likes me, it could be awkward.

Hey Ethan, what's up?   6:55pm

Not much. Just trying to finish this stupid Science paper. Have you started it yet?   6:55pm

Yeah, but I have no idea where I'm going with it.   6:55pm

How about this you weirdo. 6:55pm

I cringe from forgetting to reply to her.

What now?   6:56pm

He told me he likes you.   6:56pm

I know.   6:57pm

He told me he's liked you for months.   6:58pm

And I totally think you guys would be cute together.   6:58pm

So, being the good friend that I am, I'll make a deal with you. (;   6:59pm

Haha same. 6:59pm

Okay. This had better be a good deal, because when she mentions what a good friend she is, it rarely is something I enjoy. As close as I am to Ethan, if the deal includes me dating him, I'm not going to enjoy it.

Ok, shoot Camille.   7:01pm

Hey Gracie?   7:01pm

Yes?   7:02pm

Maybe we could get together and work on the project. I know a good bakery that's quiet enough to concentrate in, and I can pick you up and take you home.   7:04pm

Oh dear. I guess he's had enough waiting. I pause, not sure if I should go or not. Before I can find an excuse not to go, the phone buzzes again.

You go on a date with Ethan. Just one, I promise! You like him as a friend, so maybe you will like him romantically if you try. There's nothing to lose, and you haven't gone on a date for long enough.   7:05pm

You've got to be kidding me. I guess she does have a point, and I do have to get this science paper over with. It's all I have left for homework, and it's barely a date.

I am up for that Ethan. When do you plan on picking me up?   7:07pm

Is 7:30 ok?   7:08pm

I jolt back and look at myself in the mirror, then lean over to see down the hall where my parents are watching a movie.

Sure that's fine.   7:08pm

Ok sweet. See you then!   7:08pm

Camille, you have a deal.   7:09pm

Yay I love you! Give him a chance Gracie.   7:09

I get up too quickly and I am light headed as I grip onto my chair. I get out of my paint stained sweatpants and slip into a pair of skinny jeans. My plain red shirt will do just fine. I put my hair in a bun and pop on some lip gloss. I'm not going to go the extra mile for him, but I need to look acceptable by society's standards. I tell my parents where I'm going and get my folder, phone, and a ten dollar bill.

I go into my brother's room and he tells me about his day and I tell him about mine until I hear a knock on the door. I say goodnight to my brother and head out. I get to the front door and pause before opening it. I am embarrassed to say my heart skips a beat and I wonder why I'm worried. I pull open the door and there he is.

"Hey."

He's wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, but he has the hood up so I can't see his light blond hair. I smile at his awkward stance and reply,

"Hi. Are you ready to go?"

He nods and leads me to the car. He opens the door for me and off we go.

***

Camille, I think it's safe to say I hate you.   10:22pm

Uh oh.   10:24pm

It either went bad or surprisingly good.   10:24pm

If the first option, I had no part in this.   10:24pm

If the latter, then I most definitely helped and it was all my idea!   10:25pm

I laugh to myself. I slip into some pajamas and put my finished science paper in my backpack and throw away the now empty cup that once held hot chocolate Ethan had insisted on buying for me. The night had gone well. After we finished the homework and a muffin each, he bought me my favorite strudel and hot chocolate and we walked over to the nearest park and went on the swings for a bit and just talked.

Idk what to say.   10:26pm

Well, say something!   10:27pm

I enjoyed it. He is a good friend, and that's all I ever thought of him as but it's kind of nice to think more broadly.   10:27pm

Yes!   10:27pm

As I  smile and begin to tell him about our little "date", I realize that maybe I could give him a chance.