You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Nine: Summer

Brandi and I don't see the boys again for the rest of the week, and honestly, I'm okay with that.

Gary, Jake, and Tommy are fun.

Randy?

Randy can stay far away from me.

By Friday, Brandi is officially losing it.

"Tim keeps texting me," she groans, flopping backward onto her bed. "But every time I ask if he wants to hang out, he has some excuse. Do you think he likes me?"

I'm spending the night at Brandi's house because her older sister is finally taking us to the Block later.

The Block is exactly what it sounds like—a single stretch of road where everyone parks along both sides with a grassy median down the middle. Music blasts from open car windows, people cruise up and down, and everyone walks around pretending they aren't there to see who else showed up.

Basically, it's the place teenagers go in our tiny town when they want to be seen... or get into trouble.

I've never been before. Until now, Brandi's sister said we were too young.

"Bran, I don't know," I admit. "You know I'm terrible at this boy stuff. But if Tim doesn't like you, he's seriously missing out."

She throws a pillow at me.

"Why can't you just say, 'Yes, Brandi, he totally likes you'?"

"Because I don't know!"

"But it would make me feel better."

I laugh.

"Fine. Yes, Brandi. I think he likes you."

"There. Was that so hard?"

I roll my eyes, smiling.

We finish getting dressed in comfortable silence, both caught up in our own thoughts, when my phone buzzes.

The screen lights up with one letter.

T.

A grin spreads across my face before I can stop it.

He hasn't texted since I left Baltimore.

Just seeing his initial makes my stomach flip.

You're such a geek, Tia.

You noticed too? I answer Athena silently.

More like a complete ditz.

Brandi notices my smile immediately.

"'T?' Who's T?"

"My cousin's friend from Baltimore," I say, trying to sound casual. "Steve forgot his phone at the house."

It isn't exactly a lie.

I tuck my phone against my leg before she can peek at the screen.

Some things belong to me.

To Torri and me.

Brandi shrugs and disappears into the bathroom to finish her makeup.

The second the door shuts, I unlock my phone.

Thinking about our kisses. Closet door's cracked tonight. You mind? —T

Heat rushes to my cheeks.

I bite my lip, smiling like an idiot.

Then I type back.

Not at all. I'm getting ready to head out. Leave the door cracked whenever you're thinking about me. —Tia