Dylan

Oh, Boy.

I wait, crouched on the floor on my tiptoes, hands hanging onto the edge of the table as I peer at my phone. Is Ethan going to call? Is he not? Is he supposed to? Am I supposed to want him to? Was what we said to each other count as a confession? If so, does that mean we're together now? 

My head spins with the questions firing and bouncing around the walls of my head. I don't think I've ever felt this way about anyone, ever. Felt this confusion, I mean. I poke the phone once and jump back a little as it skidded a bit on the table and brace myself. Nothing? I crawl back to it suspiciously. I poke it again and leap back, staring at it. Is it going to ring now? Then Flit lands on my head. 

In my current state of wound up tight unrest, her appearance was as if by magic and I jump three feet in the air in shock. 

"Flit!" I screech. "Ohmygod you scared me!" But she'd just made something apparent. In that rocket launch to my ceiling, I'd knocked into the table (ah, so that's why my side hurts) and it had flipped my phone over. I pick it up suspiciously. Oh no, don't tell me...

I press the Power button and lo and behold, I turn it on. That means it was off this entire time. Surely not? I do not recall even turning it off. 

I gape in disbelief as it slowly vibrates to life. I really can't be saved anymore. I'm beyond salvation. I peer at it and my heart almost stops at the number of text messages and missed calls. Who would dare disturb my slumber?

And then I stop breathing altogether when I realize that half of it was Dylan, and the other half of it was Ethan. I read through all of Dylan's messages quickly so that I can slowly enjoy Ethan's. 

"Meh," I say after reading Dylan's messages. Not important, I can read them later. Then I turn my attention to Ethan's messages. 

I had a nice time earlier

"Me too!" I squeal like a donkey, flapping my arms about my room and then leaping onto the bed to read the next message.

Can't wait to see you again

"He's stealing my words!" I accuse.

There's gonna be a festival in my town tonight

I scroll down avidly with increased impatience.

Lot's of good food

and games

Would you like to join me?

"YES BABY!" I screech at the top of my lungs and choke on my own saliva. I cough about half a lung before stumbling blindly to the kitchen to swallow a glass of water. Flit flits about my head in a flurry, the poor thing is so concerned.

Jeesh, you'd think this is my first crush. I ignore the fact that it is indeed my first crush and hurry to respond.

Hi! I had tons of fun as well! I'd love to go! Where is it!

I send it and wait excitedly, feeling like if I have a tail, it'd be a-waggin'. 

"Have you done your chores, Merissa?" 

I receive a bolt of lightning and gasp for breath. My eyes bug out at my mother who casually places her grocery bags on the kitchen table. She seems unaware that she nearly killed her only daughter!

"Mother," I groan. "Why do you do this to me?"

"'Mother'?" Joan laughs and shakes her head. "If you're done with your chores come and help me put away these things."

"Okay," I drag my feet then realize I can leverage this to my advantage. "If I help you do this can I have a favour?" 

"So you've learnt to haggle now that you've been to school?" she chuckles. "Let's hear it then."