Suprising (thatcherjoe)

Chapter 7

I'm seated in between Joe and Zoe. I'm happy it's set up this way. I would hate to be next to anyone else. That'd be Awkward. Zoe is seated next to a boy with brown hair, with the front "quiff" black, and a funny voice. It's sort of high pitched. But as the night goes on I quite like it. Next to Joe is a tall boy with blonde hair. He has an accent that I'm not sure of. I learn his name is Caspar lee. I guess he's from South Africa..? I'm not entirely sure, this is only what I pieced together since I'm too shy to ask directly. Caspar is very flirty. Especially to me. Joe says it's a compliment. To not take it personally. The other youtubers are Louise (SprinkleOfGlitter), Tyler Oakley, Jack and Finn Harries, and Connor Franta. They are really funny and nice. I'm mostly quiet through the dinner, not an awkward quiet though. I was laughing with everyone else. But once in a while I would say a sarcastic comment or a witty comeback and everyone would die laughing. It makes me sad that everyone is leaving. None of the youtubers are on the East side of America, if they even LIVE in America. So I hug everyone goodbye. Which is strange because I'm never comfortable with people enough that I hug them on the first day I meet them. I even hug Caspar. He kisses the top of my head which makes me laugh a little. Zoe hugs me for a long time. She tells me to stay in touch. She gives me her skype. I give her mine. Joe drops Zoe off first. I don't know why he wouldn't just say goodbye at the restaurant like everyone else and drop me off. I stay in the back seat because Joe and Zoe's hotel is only down the street from UVM. He parks in his usual spot and I grab my bag to leave when he jumps out of the car and open the door for me. I'm surprised, no one has ever opened a door for me, and I smile at him as I get out.

•••••

"Well, thank you Joe."

"Why are you thanking me?" He asks with one if his exaggerated confused faces that makes me laugh. "Thank you for coming to dinner with me." He says. I smile. "I'm going to miss you." He says to me. I smile a sad smile. "I'm going to miss you too." I hug him. He pulls away and kisses my forehead. It wasn't silly like when Caspar did it. It was a sad goodbye kiss. I pull him back into a hug with my arms around his neck. "Next time you come to America, you call me. Promise?" I ask him while were still hugging. "I don't have your number." He says. I open my bag and pull out a pen. "Hand." I put my hand open signaling for Joe to put his hand in mine. I write my number on his palm. I know I could just ask for his phone, but this seems more personal. I kiss his cheek. We're just friends, but even after these three days, we are great friends. He smiles at me and I turn away. I glance behind me one more time and he is watching me. He waves and turns to his car. He gets in and pulls away.

•••••

My phone vibrates when I walk into my dorm. "Still miss you" an unknown number texts me. I smile to myself. He is so cute. Why does he have to leave? Why does Zoe? Why do all these newfound friends have to leave? I shower and get into bed. It's 10:45 when I got home. So I didn't fall asleep until 11:30. I have class at 11. So I'm lucky that I will have a good amount of sleep.

•••••

"Hey!!!! Guess what?!? Guess what?!?!" Mackenzie says excitedly to me on the phone after class.

"What! What!!?" I fake enthusiasm.

"I'm going to Europe!!!!!!!!" Mackenzie practically screams in my ear. What?

"You are not!" I say in disbelief. "I totally am! This summer!! And guess what?!" "W-what?" I manage. My mind is racing with both good and bad thoughts. "Your coming!" "What?" I sputter. What does she mean I'm coming. "I talked to your parents and they thought it was a good idea. We are going to fly there the day after this school year ends for you, we're renting a van and were going to be road tripping all of Europe. We're going to start off in Great Britain since it's a island so we will stay 2 weeks there. I figure that's the only time we have to be structured. Everywhere else we can stay more or less than we originally planned. We just have to be home in 10 weeks. Sorry. I'm telling you all this in a rush. You might not even want to go. So... Do you want to go?" It's a lot to take in. Who's paying? What will happen while I'm gone? But then.... Joe. Zoe. All the other youtubers. That's 2 weeks with them!! "Mackenzie. I'm going to start packing now."