I flopped down on my bed, feeling disappointed. I should have known! Of course Caleb would be popular with all the other girls! Every guy Sara introduces me to is usually like that; I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Every time I do, I watch them crash back to the ground again. My body tenses with anger at myself.
"Virginia!" My mother called, "Dinner's ready!"
I didn't want dinner, I wanted to stay in my room. And think about Caleb.
Stop Virginia! I scolded myself, stop thinking about him!
But the thought of just sitting with him and talking, just being near him wouldn't leave my mind. Virginia, you barely met him. Stop.
At dinner I didn't say much. But Trinity, my younger sister, wouldn't shut up. I was okay with it. She kept my mom occupied, and she was pretty funny, taking my mind off Caleb for a few seconds every time she cracked a joke or pulled a face.
"Where's dad?" I asked.
"Oh, he's working late tonight."
I scooped up the last of my lasagna and put my plate in the sink.
"Thanks for dinner, mom," I said through a full mouth.
"Oh you're welcome," she replied.
I walked, no practically ran back upstairs so I could be alone with my thoughts.
Why couldn't I get Caleb off my mind? I barely even talked to him.
I busied myself with homework, struggling on not thinking about him, and before I knew it, the clock read eleven. My eyes suddenly felt heavy, and I quickly got ready for bed. Just as I reached over to turn off my light, Trinity burst into my room.
"What?!"
Trinity suppressed a smile and gently closed the door.
"What?" I repeated.
"Vi, you were distracted at dinner!"
"No I was no- okay maybe I was."
Trinity giggled. "And there's only one reason why you could be distracted, Virginia Wright!"
I rolled my eyes and flopped down, pretending to act annoyed. Trinity ran to my bed and sat down cross-legged.
"So, what's his name?!"
Turning on my back, I involuntarily smiled at her.
"Telllll meee!"
"Caleb," I whispered, "but I don't even know if I like him!"
Trinity smiled big. "Oh yes you do!"
"No I don't!" But she was already out the door.
I sighed and flipped onto my side. Maybe tomorrow I could actually talk to him.
Without all the girls.
Yeah, right.
•••
"Erm, Sara?"
"Yeah?"
We were sitting in science, supposed to be working on a worksheet about rat genes, but the day had just begun and Caleb was still on my mind. Even though I didn't want him to be.
"Where are we gonna sit today at lunch?"
Sara didn't look surprised by the question. In fact, I realized she was smirking. "Oh we're gonna eat lunch with Caleb today, but he said he'll make it so it's just us three. He noticed how nervous you were with other people around."
I forced a laugh. At least he had noticed me.
"He's claustrophobic anyway," Sara added.
I thought about it, then laughed in amazement. "How could he have just moved from here, and already be popular?"
Sara smiled. "Well, I guess it's because he's not your average boy."
I waited, then said, "Where is he from anyway?"
"Oh, Arizona."
The rest of the morning went by all too quickly, and before I know it, I am sitting down next to Sara, and across from Caleb. I breathe in. Smile. Try to act normal.
Only when lunch was over, and still more girls were pestering him, did I realize I was acting normal without trying.
I couldn't stop grinning the rest of the day.
•••
That night, at dinner, I willed myself to pay attention. My dad was working late again, so it was up to my sister to keep mom occupied so I wouldn't have to answer any questions. I didn't wanna let something slip. I tried not to let my focus vanish as Trinity explained about how her friend was pressuring her to leave her other friend.
As soon as I had cleared my plate, I went upstairs to work on my homework. It was easy, and I was done within an hour. I listened to some music and wrote poetry as a treat to myself.
Again, just as I was about to turn out the light, Trinity sneaked into my room.
"What now?" I groaned.
"Did you see him today?"
I blushed. "Yes actually, I did."
"And?!"
"And we sat at lunch and talked. Nothing special. It's only the second day Trinity. I don't know if I like him or not."
Trinity was about to protest, but she silenced herself as my phone buzzed. Who would be texting me at this time of night?
The screen showed an unknown number. My fingers automatically clicked the open button. It wouldn't open. I pressed it harder, and the screen finally showed the text after about four seconds. (We're poor, I have a crappy phone, deal with it.)
The text read:
Hey Virginia, it's Caleb.
I looked up at Trinity. "It's him."
Trinity bounced on the balls of her feet. "Well, you may not know if you like him or not, but I'm pretty sure he likes you!" And she was gone.
I rolled my eyes.
And something clicked.
How did he get my number?
