raises an eyebrow, a smile spreading across his face. “Collins.” He reaches over to pat my knee. “Do you really think I’m just gonna pick you up from a mysterious place on campus dressed like a girl and drop you off at Danielle’s, no questions asked? I’m gonna need some dirt.”
“Drew, I have to—”
“Let’s go get breakfast. Jan’s?”
Jan’s is where we go to get our cheese and meat fix—it’s a tiny little diner downtown with sticky counters, plastic booths, and the best bacon in the entire world. Andrew and I go there way too often, usually on mornings after the vegans have served us leaves for dinner.
He turns the truck onto Pinewood, and we see a collection of tents being set up, strung with woolen mittens and colorful baubles. There are people milling about, signs advertising local beer and hot cider. “Look, the craft fair!” Andrew says, leaning over to get a better look. He pulls into an empty parking spot on the side of the road.
“Drew, the whole point of you coming to get me was to avoid the craft fair.” I pull my phone out of my bag and check the time again. It’s 8:24 already. “I really have to go back to Danielle’s.”
He clicks off his seat belt. “Just tell your mom we’re together. She won’t be mad.”
I glare at him. He glares back, mirroring my expression. Then he picks his phone up and starts typing in a number, bringing it up to his ear.
“No talking on the phone while you’re driving,” I say, reaching a hand out to grab it from him.
“We’re parked.”
“So?” I don’t care if he talks to my mom. I just care about being seen in this outfit. I’m trying to avoid the general public until I can find a less ridiculous pair of shoes. I lean back in my seat and fold my arms over my chest, narrowing my eyes as he talks.
“Hey, Karen,” he says into the phone, his voice all cheery smiles. “Everything’s great . . . I’m with her right now actually . . . Yup, earliest she’s ever woken up I think. A new record. We’re just getting some breakfast . . . Yeah, no problem. See you later!” He ends the call and turns to me. “See? She loves me.” He opens the car door. “Let’s go.”
I grab his arm to stop him. “Wait! I can’t go out there dressed like this. It’s obscene.”
“You’re being dramatic,” he says. “You look normal. Like, my aunt Mildred would wear what you’re wearing to church.”
“You don’t have an aunt Mildred,” I say.
“Fine,” he says, relenting. “I have a sweatshirt in the back.” He reaches behind me and rummages around, pulling out a navy blue Prescott hoodie. It smells like campfire. I grab it from him and pull it on eagerly, covering up my stomach.
“Okay, now can we go?”
“Just Jan’s,” I say. “No craft fair.”
“Just Jan’s.”
He jumps out of the car for real this time, and I follow him out, stumbling a little in the sequined heels. Just as I right myself, I feel my phone vibrate. There’s a text from Dean.
Why’d you sneak out?
I feel warmth flood through me, relieved he’s contacted me. I pause for a minute, trying to think of something to say in response. What would Danielle say?
Had to be somewhere
There. Appropriately aloof. He texts back a minute later.
Nice. See you at work. Last night was fun
Andrew waits impatiently as I put away my phone. I feel a goofy smile spread across my face, and I can see him trying to figure it out.
We head down the sidewalk toward Jan’s, me about five paces behind him because his legs are so much longer than mine,