The Babysitter

The Lake House

Sammy

I feel dazed and for a moment try to reconcile my thoughts. But instead of fighting, I surrender to the confusion. Did that really happen? The tension in my cheeks draws up into a high and tight smile. The following day's pass without notice. I am consumed.

Friday can't come soon enough. Mitch's party and I hope Drew and I can meet up. He isn't sure if he can get away but said he will let me know. Charlie and I pass each other multiple times a day through the week but neither one of us say anything. It's fine though. If she is gonna do her, then I'm gonna do me.

Mitch stops me at lunch.

"Hey, Sam," he says, "question."

"What's up, Mitch?" I say.

"Don't forget, party tomorrow, make sure you and Charlie come." He says and then I realize he has a thing for Charlie.

"Me and Charlie?" I say.

"Yup," he says.

"What's your snap? Just in case we get lost," I say. He gives me his snap code. "Thanks. We'll be there," I say.

"Sweet," he says.

All this time, out of all the choices in PHS, he picks Charlie. I gave her that nick-name in 2nd grade because she had a tomboy haircut. I guess it stuck.

Drew had gone silent for a few days and the silence was murder. I need to get his attention again. I go for a jog after school for some recreational distraction. I want to text him but know I can't. I can't be that clingy, obsessive girl, Drew wouldn't like it. I down my veggie shake then climb into the shower. My body is sore and I feel sick. I hope nothing is wrong with us and I try not to worry. I almost text him but stop myself. Don't be clingy. I have to play hard-to-get. After all, the thrill of the hunt is in the chase.

I climb out of the shower and notice my ruby colored skin. I didn't realize you could get 3rd-degree burns in the shower but all the feeling in my body had been temporarily suspended. I look at myself in the mirror and notice bruising along my neck. I wrap myself in a towel then take a selfie and snap it to Drew with the caption, "Look what you did."

"Hot," he snaps back. "Now drop the towel and cover yourself with your hand."

I do it and send the pic. "Like this?" I text.

"WOWZER!" He texts. "You're so hot, babe."

I snap him a few more tasteful shots as I start my post-shower. 

"When are we gonna play again?" He text.

"You want too??" I text back.

"OF COURSE! You're smoking hot!" He text.

"Just tell me when and where you want me," I text.

We snap back and forth exchanging sexual innuendo banter for a while then he goes silent again. I don't know why he keeps doing it but it's maddening. Then I see the username m.allstar.duke in my snap contacts. I forgot Mitch had given it to me. I pull my bra strap off my shoulder and rest my weight one leg, jetting out my hip. I take the photo and write, "Hey sexy boi." I don't send it though. Mitch isn't bad looking for sure but I was never attracted to boys. I could just say it was to the wrong person. I send it. Why the hell not?

I lay in bed thinking about Drew and wish there wasn't this unspoken barrier between us. But there isn't much I can do about it. My phone dings and I check it.

"Did you mean to snap that?" Mitch text.

"You like?" I text but Mitch never replies. After a little while, I snap him again but it says User Unavailable. He blocked me. Who does that? I put my phone to sleep and close my eyes.