Cipher

Chapter 11: Puppies

Joslyn checked her phone again, rereading the text as if she were afraid it might have changed in the last five minutes. It hadn't. She allowed herself a small smile as she put the phone back in her pocket.

She couldn't decide what to do with her hair. And she didn't know why she cared. It wasn't like it was a date; they were going to a movie as a group. To top it all off, even as a text it was a very formal invite; though she wasn't sure Cipher was capable of anything less. Still, she fussed in the mirror for another minute until she was relatively happy with what she saw.

She grabbed her bag and keys as well as a hoodie since the AC was almost guaranteed to be blasting no matter where they went. With one last check, she pulled the front door shut behind her and hopped into her little truck. She wondered if her parents would even notice that she was gone. They had been so distracted since Jason had passed, she really didn't know what they heard when she talked to them anymore.

With a sigh, Joslyn shook the idea away as she pushed in the clutch and put the truck in gear. The theater wasn't one she'd been to before, but she remembered Isaac said that most of his friends weren't nearby. Maybe that was for the best. Tonight would be new. New place, new people, no reminders.

True to summer, it was still light out even though it was nearly seven. Joslyn found the group waiting outside the theater standing and sitting around in the shade of the buildings.

Cipher noticed her first. His hand shot up to wave her over. She couldn't help but smile and give him a small wave back. Though he didn't smile, he practically glowed with happiness, his dark eyes shining with excitement. Isaac nodded, acknowledging her as she approached.

"I am glad you found us," Cipher said as she joined the group. "This is Michael and Meg," he said gesturing to the boy and girl near Isaac. Michael was leaning against the wall while Meg popped up from her seat to greet her.

"You must be Joslyn!" Meg beamed. "Do you prefer Joss? My full name isn't Meg, but that's what I prefer."

Joslyn's eyebrows shot up as she glanced at Isaac for support. "Uh, either is fine."

"She's excitable, if you haven't noticed," Michael said without moving from his spot.

"Am not," Meg scowled at him, but she just looked like a kitten trying to be a tiger.

"Anyway," Isaac intervened. "We're just hanging out until everyone gets here."

"Santana texted that they were almost here," Meg said. "But you know David drives like a grandma so who knows how long it will be."

From the eyerolls and huffs of quiet laughter Joslyn could tell just how true that statement was. "So, we're just waiting for two more?"

"Three," Isaac corrected. "Shawn should be with them."

"Meg was just suggesting we go to the pet store while we wait," Cipher said.

His childish excitement over going to a pet shop was unexpected, but not entirely surprising. At school, it seemed he was all business, even though he was always asking strange questions. Which made her wonder.

"Cipher," Joslyn asked. "Have you ever seen a puppy before?"

He paused, Meg also looked at him curiously as he answered. "Of course," the marks along his cheeks flushed. "On television and the internet."

Even Michael looked a bit surprised.

"That settles it," Meg took his hand, leading him away. "We're going."

Cipher looked back to the group in confusion as he let himself be led in the direction Joss could only assume was the way to the pet store. She spared a glance at Isaac before following. This was so utterly absurd; she couldn't keep the smile from growing as they walked.