*This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.*
“Come on, Alex, he really wants to meet you,” Angela pleaded as we walked out of the double doors into the fading afternoon sun. Not a cloud was in the sky, but all my books were in my book bag piled high. It would be, as usual, another long day at the library for us.
“I just don’t want to,” I said, probably for the dozenth time. At this point, Angela groaned and gripped my shoulders, stopping us just to the side of the stairs. Her piercing blue eyes glared into mine.
“How long are you going to avoid dating before you just do it? You read about it, you write about it, but you don’t actually see anyone,” Angela pointed out. I grimaced. You’re right, I thought.
“I can’t argue with that,” I admitted, rolling my eyes and turning towards the library, tightening up my backpack straps. Angela quickly caught up with me, waiting for me to continue. But I didn’t. What was there to say?
“I’ll tell him you don’t want to go,” Angela caved, frowning as she pulled out her cell phone to text Andrew back. I bit my lip as we came up to the library. A bitter guilty feeling twisted deep in my gut, but I ignored it. Dating was a distraction. I knew that. Mom told me all the time:
“If you date and get wrapped up in a boy, you won’t get into MIT like you want!”
For some reason, I totally believed her. Even though I knew worse things could deter me from MIT. Like other candidates being, you know, more qualified than I was.
Suddenly, someone bumped into me, knocking me off center. I heard a set of skateboard wheels come to a halt and a pair of arms gripped onto me as we both stumbled backwards, but didn’t fall over. Someone’s bright green eyes stared at me, and a stranger’s face was just inches from mine. Her minty breath just hovering above my lips. I gulped as she quickly pulled herself away, readjusting her maroon beanie and hugging her skateboard to her chest.
“Oh my goodness, I am so sorry,” her sweet velvet voice told me as she turned red. “I am still learning. I really should avoid where people are.”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, feeling fluttering in my stomach. She smiled shyly, opening her mouth to say something else, but she didn’t. Tugging her v-neck back to its original place, she headed off in the other direction, leaving Angela and I both puzzled.
“Who is that?” Angela asked me, like she forgot that I talk to all of three people at school, including her and my older brother, Riley. I shook my head, turning to take one more glance at her. At the same time, she had turned to check back with me once more, still blushing, but this time giving me a wide smile.
“I have no idea,” I thought, suddenly intrigued and feeling my palms get all clammy. Clearing my throat, I turned to Angela again, who was busy focused on her cell phone. “Should we get going?”
“Totally,” Angela agreed, looping her arm through mine as we headed off. “We have a lot of work to do today, Alexandra. A whole lot.”
“Oh yes we do,” I said quietly. Angela elbowed me once more, showing me her phone screen. Andrew had texted back a sad emoji, but I didn’t feel any regret. I didn’t even really care that I had let Andrew or Angela down. All I wanted to know was who that girl was and where she’d come from.
