“I liked the dress you wore to homecoming,” Saylor says. I almost flinch. She was all over Rhys that night. I’m shocked she even noticed I was there.
“Thanks. My grandma used to pinch my thighs and tell me to cover up. Gave me a little complex about wearing anything too short.”
“Well, that sucks. And now you’re hot.”
“I guess.” I laugh. “I should probably take you home. There’s no way your mom thinks you’ve been out walking around this whole time.”
“That’s true. Let’s go.”
We pull out of the parking lot. I remember the way to her house, which I don’t take as any sort of sign. A few minutes later I stop in front. I’ve never been inside, and if her mom’s home, I don’t think I should go inside today.
“Well, this has been fun,” I say. “Get out.”
“I’m going.” She laughs. “And now to tell my parents we’re doing the bingo together.”
“Yeah, ’cause you bullied me. Just tell your mom I felt bad because of your arm and invited you to do the bingo with me. My mom is always telling me to be super nice,” I say. Saylor looks back at me, smiling and shaking her head.
“What?”
“I think you are nice. You’re just hiding it up in all that goth.”
“I’m not goth!” I only raise my voice a little, but Saylor knows she got me. She bites her lips, holding in her laugh.
“Well, you are nice, even if you don’t want anyone to know.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
“So, when do we start?” She does that happy little bounce again.
“You’re enjoying this too much.”
“I like plans!”
“Well, I have something tomorrow—”
“Oh right, you have your skate Sundays.”
Of course she knows. She knows Jake and Axel, and she hangs with Jake when she’s with Bethany. But still, it’s kinda weird that she knows certain things about me.
“We can start on Monday, if that works for you. I’ll have to talk to my dad about changing the board a bit and stuff. I guess I have to pick you up.”
“I can have my mom drop me off,” Saylor says.
“Okay.”
“Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you on Monday.”
“See you on Monday,” I say, positive I have no clue what I’ve really just agreed to.
“Oh, and I’ll start looking up tattoo profiles tonight. My mom is deep in the family content world, so I need to see what actual cool people are doing, but I promise I’ll figure it out. Help you come up with a good professional username and everything. Mrs.Yeun will be like ‘oh my god, Heaven is so mature and professional.’ You’ll see.”
“Thanks.” I swallow a fresh lump in my throat. I really hope Saylor can help me, but I’m not so sure.
“Hey, it’s the least I can do for the gay cake,” she says, and before I know what’s happening she leans over and kisses me on the cheek. It’s over super quickly, but my cheek is still burning where she lightly pressed her lips. “Sorry.” She laughed. “My friends and I are very—”
“It’s fine. I know. You and your friends tongue kiss goodbye and grab each other’s butts to say hello. I’ve seen it,” Isay. I know my whole face and neck are deep red. “But I don’t think bingo is gonna work if you’re all over me all summer.”
“It’s called affection. But I’ll keep my platonic love languages to myself.”