The Soundtrack of My Life

"You and Me"

JANUARY 2008

I was home sick yet again. I don't know what was going on with my body, but every single day I have felt sick to my stomach and dizzy. My sinuses have been out of whack and I'm just so tired all the time. Plus, this cough I've had has been going on for a while too. I had an appointment with our family doctor earlier this week, and she sent us to a clinic to get my blood tested. We're just waiting for the results. I hope we get some answers; I'm really tired of being sick. At this point, I just want to be in school. There's nothing good on TV at this time and I'm missing out on hanging out with my friends. 

My phone vibrated twice on the couch arm next to me. I expected it to be my mom checking in on me since I was home alone, but it wasn't. 

My heart leapt once I saw his name pop up. Where r u?

Home sick. I typed slowly. I didn't want him to think I was as excited as I was to have him text me. 

Again? He texted back instantly. 

Yup. I replied, but instantly regretted it. The conversation was probably going to be over now since I didn't sound interested at all. I sat there with my phone open, waiting for a text, but minutes went by and nothing came. I sighed and put my phone down and started flipping through channels again.

Emanuel, Manny for short, was Wyatt's best friend. One day, Wyatt had said that he was tired of being the only guy in our group, so Manny started sitting with us at the lunch table. The two boys  sat across from each other at the end of the table every day. Us girls filled the rest of the table, and mostly ignored them for the most part. But it was nice having another member in our group. I didn't know much about Manny, but once we found out we were in the same science class, we talked a little more before and after class. 

Manny had "Bad Boy" written all over him. He always smelled spicy; his Axe Body Spray freshly put on from his locker after lunch. His black hair was just long enough to cover his brown eyes in an emo swoop. It looked better when he got to wear beanies after school, but it definitely made him more mysterious. He was the typical cool boy who played the bass guitar, hung out with the older crowd, and had cool parents that let him do whatever he wanted. He had asked me for my phone number soon after Wyatt and I broke up, but I never thought he'd text me. 

My phone buzzed and I snatched it quickly. He had responded. Class is boring w/out u. 

That one made me smile. What r u doing in class?

Watching sum boring movie. 

It's probs better than what's on TV. I joked. 

Haha. True. When r u coming back?

My heart leapt again. 2morrow. 

OK. Can I ask u sumthin?

Now my heart was really fluttering. Yes.

Multiple minutes went by and I couldn't stand it. He left me on such a cliffhanger and I couldn't focus on anything. I checked the time for the hundredth time, watching every number change for twenty minutes. 

His name popped up and I eagerly opened his message, Sry. Phone got taken away. 

That's ok. I didn't want to mention what he wanted to ask me, but it was killing me to not know. 

But he didn't forget, Do u like me?

I sat there for a moment, afraid to answer. But I typed out the three letters, Yes.

Another couple minutes went by before he responded, Good. I like u 2. 

"Ohmygod!" I yelled. I didn't know why; he was one of the cool kids, and I was just a band geek. Guys like him only like girls like me in the movies. Was this real life? Or was the cold medicine really messing with my brain?

Really?  I typed back. 

Yes. I think ur v pretty. And funny. He sent with a smiley face. 

This made me smile in real life. I think ur cute and funny 2. 

Then a text that made me squeal in excitement came across my phone screen, Do u want 2 b my girlfriend?

Yes! I sent back in a rush. 

Cool. C u 2morrow?  

C u 2morrow. I replied, shakily. 

I couldn't believe it. Bad boy, cute boy, Manny wanted me, Penelope, the chubby band geek, to be his girlfriend? I stood up from the couch and twirled to the kitchen. It was a bad idea, but I didn't care. I got a second chance at love just now, and I wanted to feel better so I could enjoy it. I downed some more medicine and made my way back to the couch to lie down. A nap was in my near future; I wanted to be nice and rested so I could actually go to school tomorrow. I texted Eloise to call me once she got home, then pulled the blanket up to my chin. The fatigue hit me hard, and I fell asleep thinking about how warm Manny's hand will feel in mine.