Whatever secret Courtney had was eating me up from the inside. My imagination ran wild.
In the meantime, I had other things I needed to start—namely, registering for the online English classes to graduate early, and the online permit class.
Lan took me to the grocery store the following afternoon, where I was able to buy a Visa gift card and load the cash I had gotten from the returned shoes onto it. I created a login for the online high school and driver's school, making a commitment to myself to spend my extra time studying between work and school.
The first night I was up until two in the morning. I expected the driver's class to teach me loads of things I didn't know about driving, but instead it droned on and on about distracted driving, and even though it was an important topic, it wasn't teaching me anything I didn't already know. I let the video play and answered questions now and again when they popped up.
Courtney checked on me a couple of times and asked what I was doing. I kept the laptop screen out of her view and paused the video when she popped in. She didn't suspect anything when I told her I was working on my regular homework. The only interruptions I took were when my friends texted me.
Peyton: Do you put your toilet paper over or under?
Me: Over. You?
Peyton: Under! How do you feel about cars driving people around without a driver?
Me: That would freak me tf out.
Peyton: Why?
Me: What if there was a malfunction? Those sensors that read how far away other cars are, or where a cliff is, can only be accurate if they're clean. Suppose mud splattered on it and the next thing you know you're hitting a tree, or a person on a bike.
Peyton: Good point but I sort of thought it would be safer. A computer can eliminate mistakes like not running a red light or driving drunk.
Me: I suppose
Peyton: Do you believe in soulmates?
I hadn't given much thought to it before. I'm sure a lot of people thought it was superstitious, but I had more of a tendency to believe that there was a special someone for everyone.
Me: Yes.
Peyton: Me too. Can I ask you something?
Me: Anything.
Peyton: How often do you think about me?
I curled my toes.
Me: Honestly, all the time.
I scrunched my nose as I hit send.
Peyton: Ever since I saw you in the office the other day, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind.
My heart exploded from his confession.
Peyton: What are you doing?
Me: Studying. You?
Peyton: Thinking about you
Peyton: over here
Peyton: with meI smiled, picking up my phone and falling back onto my pillow.
Me: What are we doing?
Peyton: You mean like in my imagination?
Me: Yes. You said you're thinking of me. What are we doing on our virtual date?
Peyton: We're cuddled on my couch watching a movie.
A warm feeling blossomed in my chest.
YOU ARE READING
Courtney's Secrets (The Clandestine Series)
Tajemnica / ThrillerFrom actual events. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. This is Mystery #1 in the Clandestine Series. The books do not need to be read in order. Sixteen year old Deja dreams of the day she can get away from her abusive and overbearing m...