A Beginner's Guide to the American West ✓

chapter twenty-seven

t w e n t y - s e v e n

*

As soon as we're back in our seats and I've hooked up my music again, one of my favourite Shovels and Rope songs filling the van, a text from Flo buzzes in my hand, and then a few more. Each new message interrupts the song and Sam gives me a look.

"Someone's popular."

"With my twelve-year-old sister," I say, switching on Do Not Disturb before I open Flo's messages. I must've just got signal, because a whole bunch of texts from her explode into my phone at once.

FLO: mum & dad are on a date night and pebs is at bea's and I HAVE NO FRIENDS!!!!

FLO: im staying with uncle kit and auntie bree

Like a lot of people in our lives, Uncle Kit and Auntie Bree aren't actually our uncle and aunt. Kit is Dad's cousin, so I guess he's our second cousin, but that's a lot less catchy and a lot more of a mouthful. Most of our parents' friends have become our unofficial aunts and uncles, half the town some kind of extended family.

FLO: they're supposed to be babysitting ME but im basically babysitting nia&jay. nia just made me read 4 stories

FLO: anyway they're sleeping now and uncle kit went to pick up a takeaway and auntie bree's in the bath and im bored and curious so i did some stalking

FLO: please don't be mad

I'm already apprehensive, the moment I see that message, and I wince as I scroll down.

FLO: first of all i found the fish's fb profile bc you guys are friends

FLO: you probably already stalked it bc why wouldn't you but anyway, looks like you are 100% arjuns type based on his ex ;) ;)

Her next text is a picture of Arjun with his arm around a girl I have to assume is Taylor, and I can't help but laugh because we couldn't be more different. She's tall and curvy, pale and freckled, with a shock of brunette curls flowing over her shoulders. The photo must be from some kind of fancy party because Arjun's dashing in a three-piece suit and Taylor looks incredible in a floor-length gown that hugs her hips and her boobs, which look ready to spill out of the dress's deep v-cut.

We couldn't be more different.

She's absolutely stunning, I can't deny her that, but any glimmer of attraction is dashed when I remember that she dumped Arjun for being boring. The girl clearly has no taste, or it was a lousy excuse because he's anything but, and that sours any possible appreciation.

I've never bought into the idea of having a type. The notion of choosing people based purely on looks is ridiculous: thousands of people could fill some arbitrary checklist that needs them to be tall and toned and dark-haired and blue-eyed, but that has nothing to do with them as a person. I've never been fussed about looks – clearly, considering my exes couldn't be more different: a short, chubby, brown girl and a tall, skinny white guy – when it's personality that matters.

And Arjun's personality has captured me. I'm ensnared in the trap of his jokes and his smiles and his laugh and his touch, every word he says and the way he says it.

I close the photo and see Flo's next message.

FLO: his info section doesn't say interested in women or anything like that. and i checked out the school he went to – it's A SUPER FANCY BOARDING SCHOOL!!! it looks fun. and he was head boy. he's CLEVER.