“Not if you don’t want to,” he responds.
“Then I’ll wait.”
He nods slowly. “Is it cool if I take you to the bus stop tomorrow morning?”
“I need to be there early. You should rest,” I say.
“I insist, and if you say no, I will wait outside your home all night until morning.”
“Conner,” I hiss. Yet, I can see it. That look in Conner’s eyes fills with determination. So, with a sigh, I look away and say, “Seven. No earlier, okay.”
“Done.” He nudges his head towards the park ahead. “There’s no one there. Did you want to have a little fun before we head back?”
“Okay.”
He releases his hold and runs toward the park. “I’ll race you!”
“Conner!”
It isquiet inside my home when I enter. Mum is in the bathroom, and I hear the shower going before I head into my bedroom. I want to take a shower before bed, but I’ll have to wait.
Lying down on my bed, I raise my phone above my head and scroll through Conner’s text messages. My mind wanders momentarily as I think about how I should write this…and when.
Me: Ten things I like about you:
30
TEN REASONS
Rise Up [Imagine Dragons]
I sitoutside Mrs Crawford’s place at 6:30 a.m. She is up and lively, peeking through the curtain, likely wondering why I’m squatting on her last step with a sports bag I found stuffed underneath my slanted bed. I silently pray she doesn’t come out and start a conversation when Conner arrives, for that would be a lie easily undone.
Conner’s car is noticeable in daylight, and as he stops, I grab my bag and enter his car. As soon as I settle inside and close the door, I pause at what he’s wearing. Grey shirt and blue and grey flannel pyjama pants that leave little to the imagination.
“I was too lazy to get dressed. I’m going back to bed when I get home, anyway.”
“You shouldn’t have come, then,” I mutter as I clip the seatbelt across my chest.
“I wanted to see you off. I won’t be able to talk to you for two days. Where you’re going, there’s no reception.”
“How... The boys’ camping trip at the beginning of the year?”
“Yep.” He turns the music up, but I’m not in the mood to listen. Instead, I glance at my phone and the unsent text message. Biting my lower lip, I contemplate when I should send it or if I should—the thought of sending it while Conner is here sends a churning in my stomach.
“Are you okay?” he says. “Nervous?”
I blink out of my tormented thoughts, realising we are already at school. “Y-Yes,” I say. “I’m nervous about camping, but I know Samantha wouldn’t bail on me without a text.”
“Come on,” Conner says as he steps out, and I follow suit with my bag. Samantha is with her two other friends, and when she notices me, she waves me over.
There are two buses, and our year adviser is next to the bus that Samantha stands near. The girls outside the other bus glare at me, and I notice Sarah Jane. It’s hard not to remember her. She made a great first impression when she pushed me down the stairs.
Conner wraps his arm around my shoulders. Heat prickles my cheeks, but I don’t let it get to me too much. I know Conner isn’t doing it to stir their emotions. He’s doing it because he’s aware I’m uncomfortable and hopes his presence will deter them from taking any action.
“You made it!” Samantha clasps her hands together. “Hey, Conner.”
“Hey,” he replies with a nudge of his chin.