Page 11 of Cloudless
TROUBLE
LILA
Lila
Sullivan. My last name is Sullivan.
Kam
Hi, Sunshine.
Sullivan like Sully from Monsters Inc.?
Lila
Kam
Top secret. Got it.
My lips are sealed.
Lila
So, no middle name?
Kam
My mom isn’t a big fan of middle names, so no.
What’s your middle name?
Lila
Do you always send more than one text in a row?
Kam
No.
You didn’t answer my question.
Lila
Mae
Kam
Lila Mae Sullivan
I like it.
Lila
That’s good, cause there’s not really much I can do about it
So, I’ve got to know the story about watermelons.
And mustard…
And socks…
And hamsters…
Kam
Now who’s the one sending more than one text at once?
Lila
Just tell me the stories, Stryker.
Kam
Fineeeeee
Short versions only…
I tripped and fell on a watermelon when I was in 4th grade. We were at a cookout for my hockey team. Broke my arm and got a nasty black eye. I had to sit out for almost half of that season. I’ve had beef with them ever since.
Mustard is obvious. No one should like mustard.
Socks, well, they just suck. They’re hot and restrictive. I wear them inside out, otherwise the seams drive me nuts.
Wyatt had a hamster when we were in 1st grade. Took a chunk out of my finger one night. Never again.
Lila
I would have beef with watermelons, too, if I were you. I won’t hold the mustard thing against you. It definitely sucks. I am, however, a huge sock fan. Specifically, any type of fuzzy socks.
Kam
*Adds to Christmas present spreadsheet*
Lila
You have a Christmas present spreadsheet?
Kam
Doesn’t everyone?
Lila
What else is on your Christmas present spreadsheet?
Kam
Well, it’s set up by category…
MONDAY 6:15 PM
Lila
So, how did you also get a 23 in your phone number?
Kam
Total happy accident.
Lila
Was that a Bob Ross reference?
Kam
Maybe…
Lila
I approve.
MONDAY 9:47 PM
Kam
Did you get your paper done yet?
Lila
Yep! Just hit send on the email, actually! Thanks for your reassurance about Professor Patterson earlier. It makes me feel better knowing you had that class last semester.
Kam
Good! I hoped you would finish soon.
Lila
And why is that?
Kam
Would it be weird if I told you I was just looking forward to continuing our conversation, or would you rather I lied and said I’m just glad you don’t have to deal with that project anymore?
Lila
Honesty. Always, honesty.
Kam
Well, in that case, I’m glad you’re done, cause I was looking forward to you asking me more questions.
Lila
Well, in that case…How did you convince the guys to help with your resume?
Kam
I told Mace I wouldn’t help with the dishes for a month. I just bribed Dax with some chocolate. Wyatt did it with no coercion, but he rolled his eyes and grumbled about it the entire time.
Lila
And why did you feel the need to list that you have a safe SUV?
Kam
I figured if Jasper and Posey were with me, you would want to know they were in a safe vehicle.
Lila
That’s…really sweet, Kam.
Kam
Sweet is my middle name
Lila
You don’t have a middle name…
Kam
If I did, I bet it would be Sweet…
Lila
Yeah, or Trouble.
Kam
That’s not so bad either…
Lila
TUESDAY 8:31 AM
Lila
Quick, Lucky Charms or Captain Crunch?
Kam
Good morning to you too, Sunshine.
Lila
Morning, Trouble. Don’t avoid my question.
Kam
What’s your favorite color?
Lila
Light pink…what does that have to do with picking a cereal?
Kam
Nothing. I just wanted to know what your favorite color is.
Lucky Charms. Definitely the Lucky Charms.
WEDNESDAY 9:26 AM
Kam
Don’t fall asleep over there.
Lila
If Professor Mills didn’t sound so bored, I wouldn’t be so bored.
Kam
Have you worked through my resume yet?
Lila
Still working on it.
Kam
The suspense is killing me…
Lila
Just be patient, Trouble.
Kam
Easier said than done.
Lila
I’ll distract you with funny animal pictures.
*photo of a shark mixed with a horse*
It’s a shorse!
Kam
Okay, I’m listening…
THURSDAY 2:12 PM
Kam
Did you know that wombat poop is cube shaped?
Lila
Learn something new every day.
Kam
Wombat poop
Lila
That’s an ice cube…
Kam
***
Lila
You’re right. The ice cube is better.
THURSDAY 3:19 PM
Lila
Did you know, according to Jasper, a shrimp’s heart is in its head?
Kam
LOL
Ellie’s going to love that one. Everything makes so much sense now.
Lila
You can’t leave me hanging like that…
Kam
It all started when Ellie got bit by a shrimp on our trip to the aquarium in first grade…
FRIDAY 9:21 AM
Kam
Professor Mills is in rare form today…
Lila
Am I seeing that right? Did he just pick his nose?
Kam
And eat it?
Yes.
Yes, he did.
Can you distract me with more funny animal pictures?
Lila
I thought you’d never ask…
FRIDAY 10:46 PM
Kam
Hey, Sunshine?
Lila
Yes, Trouble.
Kam
Do I get to see you tomorrow?
Lila
Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Kam
Good.
Goodnight, Sunshine.
Sweet dreams.
Lila
Goodnight, Trouble. Sweet dreams.