Chapter Fifteen
Layla
This day is a whole lot of suck right now. I’m trying to enjoy a big juicy burger because this is what I do when my days are crappy. I order a greasy burger with delicious bacon, melty cheese, fried onions, and all the most awesome fixings and stuff myself. Top it off with a chocolate shake and some fries, and my frown turns upside down. So to speak.
But of course, someone has to ruin even that! Stupid Tyler. What does he even want? Telling me my handwriting sucks and all that. Excuse me, I didn’t know we had to be perfect. At least there is one guy who doesn’t want to make me feel a thousand times worse.
Even that is sort of ridiculous. For all I know I could be talking to some twelve-year-old pretending to be my age. Or some thirty-year-old. Oh, God.
I pick up my burger and take a huge bite. The usual bursting-with-flavor taste is so bland and blah in my mouth. What’s happening to me?
The diner door swings open and my sister walks in holding Mark’s hand. Oh my God, she lied to me. That little sneaky brat lied to me. She said she had to do something at the library. I get out of my booth and march right over to her.
“You are such a liar,” I say.
Juliet turns, and her eyes are the size of saucers. She drops Mark’s hand and swallows. “He, um … He didn’t have a ride.”
“You know what Jul, I don’t know what shocks me more. You trying to hide the fact you’ve got a boyfriend, or you lying to me.”
She excuses herself with Mark, and pulls me away from him and the waitress. I snicker as she manhandles me around the diner. As soon as we’re closer to my booth she releases my arm with a huff. “Listen. It’s not like that at all. This is new, and Addy is super mad at me. I just … I just want to have what you guys have all had. Once. You know?”
“I get it. I’m not Addy, though. You could have told me. I’m happy for you. Seriously.”
She frowns. “I just didn’t want to rub it in your face. Because of he-who-shall-not-be-named.”
“Jul. You really need to quit with the Harry Potter references.”
She glowers at me. “That wasn’t. That’s you-know-who. Whatever.” She glances over at my table. “Are you here by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to be? I can sit with you. I think I saw Jared and Tyler here. Mark can hang out with them.”
“No. Go. I’m fine. Really. I’m done here anyway.”
She folds her arms. “Really? Looks like you barely touched your food.”
“I’m fine.”
She sighs. “All right, if you say so.”
Mark keeps glancing back at Juliet and I hug her quickly. “Your date is getting antsy.”
She looks back at Mark and then smiles at me. “I’ll be home later. We can talk if you want.”
I love my sister, but I’m not up for sharing my crummy day. Especially when she looks so happy.
In my room, I pore over my math homework while listening to some techno mesh-ups between hard rock and some new pop songs.
My phone vibrates next to my book. I pick it up and instantly smile.
R: Hey u. Miss me?
Me: Oh yeah. But I’ve got to get this math done.
R: Yeah. That’s my best subject. Need some help?
Me: It’s not the implications that’s hard its figuring out what the numbers are. And making sure my brain isn’t mixing them up.
R: I’m sorry. Maybe u can screen shot the problems. I can tell u what they say.
Me: Okay.
I move all things that may have my real name on it and then hold my phone steady. I snap a few pictures and send him some screen shots.
It takes him a little bit to reply. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent that. Did we just get way too personal? Crap. It wasn’t like he got a glimpse of my legs.
I chew on the end of my pen cap as I wait for him to reply. What if he thinks I’m really stupid? He’ll know just by looking at the problems I’m only in Algebra.
My phone vibrates.
R: R u doing all the problems on the page?
Me: Yes.
R: Cool. I’ll type them out 4 u. Ask if u want me 2 clarify what I send.
Me: Okay.
R texts me the first set of problems and with my voice app it reads it off perfectly as if someone like my sister was reading it to me. I feel awful and quite stupid. He probably thinks I’m the world’s biggest airhead ever.
R: Ready 4 the next 1?
Me: Yes, please. And thanks. I’m sorry for sounding like an idiot.
R: Hey now. U aren’t an idiot. I’m not dyslexic but I googled what it’s like 4 a person 2 have it. I’m sry.
Me: Thanks. Most people just think I’m stupid.
R: Those ppl r jerks.
“R” continues to patiently type out each problem to me. It’s honestly the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. It makes me swoon, and it also makes me a little sad. I kind of wish I knew a little more about him. Then I’m kind of glad he doesn’t know more about me. Especially since lately I’ve been feeling like a complete loser.
R: Well, I should let u get 2 solving. Have a good night.
Me: You too. Thanks again.