Page 50 of Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling

I think—Ihope—this all means that Delilah might like me, too. Or that she’s at least on her way there! Just the thought of that makes my whole body feel like it’s full of helium and I’m about to float up to the sky like a freed birthday balloon.

“So, it seems like congratulations are in order.” Yobani slides in next to me. Greg’s right behind him. “Yeah, I’m really glad you changed your mind, Reg. It’s too big of an opportunity to let pass you by.”

“Are you— Wait... I’m confused. Is this about Delilah? Because I still think it’s a little too early for congrats.”

“No!” Yobani slaps my arm like I’m messing with him.

“I mean, that is great if you’ve made progress with her, though. We know that’s important to—”

“What’simportantis that Reggie finally came to his senses and told motherfucking Darren Lumb that he is going to be onRole With It!”

The guy in front of us with a bushy beard and a “Magneto Was Right” shirt turns around and smiles. “Oh, I love that show.”

“Of course you do! And my buddy Reggie here is about to rock it—”

“Arghhh!” My brain’s rushing to catch up with what’s happening. All I know is Yobani needs to not finish that sentence out loud to some random guy inRWI’s very devoted fanbase. Thankfully my strangled scream seems to freak out the bearded eavesdropper enough to make him put his palms up and turn around.

Yobani whips around to look at me. “Dude, what the—”

“I’m not doing the show,” I whisper.

“What was that?” Greg asks, leaning in.

“I’m not doing the show,” I repeat, probably even quieter.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE NOT DOING THE SHOW?!” Yobani shouts, not getting the very clear message about volume. TheRWIfanboy is definitely listening in, so I get out of line and the guys follow me over to the corner where all the Archie Comics are displayed.

“How did you—I mean...whydo you even think that?” I ask. “Like, I don’t get it. I told you it was out of the question.”

“Because I heard you bragging about it to your girl!” Yobani says, all exasperated.

“You were spying on us?”

“No, I wasn’t spying on you.” Yobani rolls his eyes. “I was going to find Eddie to tell him about that dude taking extra copies so I could get him, like, banned from Free Comic Book Day forever. And I just happened to be on the other side of the shelf when you were monologuing about pushing past your fear or some shit.”

“You were trying to snitch?” I ask, hoping a distraction will do the trick.

But Yobani waves that off. “The snitching rules don’t apply when it comes to Free Comic Book Day. You know that, bro.”

“It’s true,” Greg chimes in.

“So, anyway, I heard what you told Delilah, and I was so glad that you came around. But now I’m real confused as to why you’resaying all this isn’t happening. Why did you tell her you were taking Darren’s offer if you’re... not?”

Yobani and Greg both cross their arms and stare me down. I’m caught.

“I just wanted her...”

How do I explain this without sounding like a total loser?

“I wanted her to think I was... I don’t know, cool. And, like, secure in who I am. I didn’t want her to know how scared I am of being, like, out there with my interests and my opinions. Because I am scared, you know? If I’m onRole With It, everyone is going to know who I am. My trolls... my brother and his friends, you know what I’m saying?”

Yobani nods and twists his lips to the side. I know he gets it, even if he would probably take the jump anyway.

“But what about getting past this fear? Like you told her?” Greg asks.

“I want to do that... but I don’t think I actually can.”

We’re all quiet for a bit—me because I’m embarrassed, and them... I’m not sure what they’re thinking about me.