The Mishap

Chapter Eight

I can’t sleep when I get home. Case’s words keep repeating themselves in my mind. He must have just been joking around to get me riled up. If he really had a crush on me back then I would feel like an idiot. But I guess it would only be par for the course. It seems like I haven’t been noticing a lot with family and friends lately.
Maybe I’m being punished for lying, having to be around Case all day tomorrow. If it wasn’t for him thinking that I’m dating his sister, it would almost be like a date. My chest tightens at that thought. Great, now I’m not going to sleep at all.
Deciding to get up, I pace my room, thinking back to my high school days. A thought hits me and I go to my vanity, drawing out the secret bottom. 
“Aha!” I cry as I pull out my old diary. 
It’s been years since I’ve written in it. Flipping through the pages brings back warm and fuzzy feelings. I read multiple entries when I come across the ones following my senior prom. I want to skim past those horrible days but Case’s name catches my eye. 
“Corbin told everyone that he took my virginity at prom. But that’s not the worst part. Case got suspended for sticking up for me. He wouldn’t tell me what happened, but Brandi did. I guess he beat up Corbin for telling everyone and calling me names.”
I stop reading and stare at the wall. I didn’t believe Case at first… but now. I reread the entry again. Did Case honestly have a crush on me back then? But that would mean my feelings weren’t one-sided.

The next thing I know, I’m waking up to my phone ringing and the smell of glue and glitter permeating my nostrils. Sitting up, my diary falls from my face and onto my lap. I groggily grab my phone to hear Case’s voice.
“Hey. Just wanted to check that today is still good for you.”
“Huh?” I sleepily reply and check my clock. It’s 9:30 a.m.
“Shopping...remember?”
“Oh! Oh, yeah. No, I’m good. I’ll be ready momentarily.”
“You’re still in bed aren’t you?” I hear Case sigh sarcastically.
“Me?” I say as I get out of bed and start rummaging through my closet. “I was just resting my eyes.” It’s technically not a lie.
“Right. Do you need more time? I can make a detour.” 
“No, you don’t have to do that. I’ll be ready.”
Luckily, Case did make a detour, otherwise I would have made him wait. My heart stutters when I see him pull into my parent's driveway and wave to me. I give a small wave back before hurrying over and crawling into the passenger side.
“Hey, Lizard. How’s it going?”
“I’ve told you not to call me that.” I put on a fake grumpy face and look up at him but quickly avert my eyes when they meet his.
“Eh. You like it.”
“As if.” I grouch.
“Here.” He hands me a cup from my favorite coffee shop and I instinctively snuggle down in the passenger seat, wrapping my hands around the beverage.
Case lets out a short laugh at my actions. “You’re like Golum and the coffee is your precious.”
I tilt my head and then nod. “About right.”
“So where to, oh faithful guide?” Case jokes as he pulls out of the driveway and backs onto the road.
Brandi is big on fashion, but Case hates shopping. So I suggest the best compromise. “Let’s go to the mall. It will be a one-stop shop that way.”
“As you wish, my lady.” He winks and I think my heart stops. Why does he have to be so gorgeous?
It’s been quiet in the car for some time. I can’t stop my leg from shaking as I contemplate what things would be like right now if I hadn’t lied for Brandi. 
I start to think about some of my other diary entries I ended up reading last night and accidentally laugh out loud at one.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. I found my old diary last night and some good memories popped up. Remember at Brandi and your 15th birthday party when we all got in a cake fight?”
“And we all had to change into our pajamas early because we wrecked our clothes?” He smiles as he flicks his gaze over to me before looking back at the road.
“Yeah, that was fun.”
“I almost told you how I felt that day.” He laughs.
“What?”
“We were alone in the kitchen, getting water or something, I don’t remember. Anyway, I almost told you I liked you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
I’m surprised when Case turns pink and clears his throat. “Loose pajamas and hormonal teenage boys don’t mix.”
“Oh… OH!” I say, suddenly getting it and feeling heat rise in my own cheeks.
Awkwardly, we are silent for the rest of the drive. I’m glad he can’t hear my thoughts because they are running amuck and won’t shut up.