Page 14 of June (New Orleans #6)

C aroline bit her lower lip while she stared down at her phone, hoping to get a reply soon.

“Are you just staring at that thing now?” Viv asked from her bed.

“Yes,” she replied honestly.

“Give the girl a minute to respond.”

“It’s been a minute. It’s been seven minutes, according to my phone. Do you think she had a bad time, so she’s not responding because she’s done already? One date, and she’s choosing Jill over me?”

“I think you’re looking at this the wrong way.”

“How should I be looking at it, then?”

“It’s not a competition.”

“Isn’t it, though? This Jill woman is already older than me. She’s twenty-six. I asked Enid about her not-so-casually over dinner. I couldn’t even order a beer at dinner tonight and asked her to go to the stupid on-campus theater because it’s cheaper.”

“You’ll be twenty-one soon, so that won’t matter much longer. And if she decides not to date you because you can’t order a drink at dinner, she ’s the one with the problem.” Viv sighed. “Anyway, don’t look at it like it’s you versus someone else. It’s just you and Enid trying to see if there’s something there.”

“There is something there. I feel it. And she does, too. I know it. I just feel like Jill is ahead of me somehow. They were kind of friends first, and Enid asked her out. She didn’t ask me out. I asked her . Tonight, we almost kissed, and I know we would have, but the stupid movie thing ended abruptly, and I realized that I wanted to kiss her at least a little because I wanted to catch up to Jill.”

“Just focus on the fact that there’s something between you two. Enid will have to figure out what she wants, but if you don’t like that she’s dating someone else at the same time, you need to tell her.”

“I don’t like it. I did tell her.”

“What did she say?”

“She told me to keep being honest with her about it,” Caroline replied. “We just met. I can’t tell her to stop seeing someone else.”

“You can , actually. She might end things with you, and that’s scary, but you have to look out for you first, Care.”

Caroline leaned over the bed and looked down at Viv.

“Are you taking care of you? We’re talking about my dating life.”

Viv smiled and said, “I’m kind of over you.”

Caroline lifted an eyebrow at her.

“I’m thinking about maybe asking someone else out, actually.”

“You are?” Caroline asked with curiosity, forgetting all about her phone and the message she’d yet to receive from Enid.

“Yeah. I don’t know. I’m not exactly looking forward to the possible rejection. I just dealt with that from you.”

“Sorry,” Caroline said.

“It is what it is,” Viv replied with a shoulder shrug.

“Who are you going to ask out?”

“I said I was thinking about it.”

“Well, who are you thinking about asking out, then?”

“I’d rather not say yet. I haven’t decided if I’ll do it. I don’t know if she likes me.”

“There are at least three out lesbians that I know of on this floor, one pansexual, two bisexuals, and a couple that I think might be questioning. I’ll figure it out.”

“Can you maybe not put too much thought into it? I don’t know if I’m going to do it yet, and I don’t need you snooping around and asking questions.”

“I wasn’t going to go all private detective,” Caroline said. “But I’m glad. I mean, I’m happy for you. You should be happy, Viv.”

“I am happy,” Viv replied.

“Yeah?”

“I think people who don’t get people like me assume we’re not happy, but I am. I’m perfectly content lying here and reading a book. I don’t always like my homework, but I love learning. I don’t need a million friends. I like having just one or two really good ones. I go to the campus things you think are lame because I think they’re fun. I’m meeting people like me, and it makes me feel less alone. I know what I want from my life, so I’m not spending time doing a lot of searching. There’s nothing wrong with searching, being social, or hating homework. I don’t judge people or assume they’re unhappy because they’re not like me, but I think when people see an introvert, they assume we’re missing out on the things they love, when we don’t love them to begin with.”

Caroline smiled as the blood rushed to her head from its position hanging upside down.

“You are a wise woman, Viv,” she said.

“Uh… Thanks,” Viv replied.

“How do I grow up like you?”

“We’re the same age.”

“No, you’re already twenty-one, so you’re in the future. Tell me where this wisdom comes from. I need some of it.”

“You have it. You just have a different kind,” Viv replied.

“No, I don’t.”

“What did you learn on your road trip?”

“Oh, God. So much. I had to change my own flat tire because I got one in the middle of nowhere, and there was no internet, so I had to just guess and hope I got it right until I got to the first mechanic I could find in the desert. I learned that I can be on my own and like myself and that I really liked art more than I thought I did or could. I learned a few things about sex, too, if I’m being honest. There’s more, but–”

Viv laughed and said, “See? I can’t change a flat tire.”

“It’s just changing a flat tire. It’s not that hard.”

“But you learned things about yourself, too. You went out by yourself on the open road and explored the world.” Viv held out the book she’d put down when Caroline had first looked down at her and added, “I’ve learned about the world through books. I don’t know what Las Vegas looks like in person. I’ve never gambled illegally there.”

“I did that once, and I didn’t win anything.”

“But you’ve done it, and you risked getting into trouble just to do it. I’ve never had the courage or guts to do anything. I have plans, and I’m happy with who I am, so that’s fine with me, and I’m young, so I’m still learning, but you’re wise, too, Caroline. It’s just different.”

“You’re even wise for recognizing that.”

Caroline’s phone pinged, so instantly, she shot back into her bed and grabbed it.

“God, you’re going to pull a muscle if you keep doing that,” Viv said, laughing.

Enid Becker : I had a great time, too. What are you doing right now?

“She wants to know what I’m doing right now.”

“Tell her you’re interrupting your roommate, who just wants to read her book and go to sleep,” Viv said.

Caroline laughed and replied, “It’s not even late.”

“I didn’t say I was going to read a page and fall asleep,” Viv countered.

Caroline thought about what to say to Enid. Then, she typed.

Enid Becker : I’m watching a movie with my family.

Caroline smiled and typed back.

Caroline Timothy : What movie?

Enid Becker : The Goonies .

Caroline Timothy : Never seen it.

Enid Becker : What?!

“Viv, have you ever seen The Goonies ?”

“Once. It was on TV. Why?”

“Enid’s watching it right now.”

Enid Becker : How have you never seen The Goonies ? My parents love it, and my brother and I have watched it at least a hundred times.

“I guess they watch it a lot. Should I see this movie?”

“It’s a classic,” Viv said.

“That’s not an answer.”

“Find it online and watch it right now, if you want. Just use headphones,” Viv suggested.

“Yeah, I can do that.” Caroline jumped down from her bed and grabbed her laptop. “Sorry, Timmy,” she said to the TV.

“You have got to stop apologizing to the TV,” Viv said.

“Nope,” Caroline replied as she climbed into bed, carrying Larry. “Why did we bunk our bed again?”

“Because we wanted more space in the room.”

“But we’re always in our beds.”

“Caroline?”

“Yeah?”

“Watch the movie and text Enid. I’m going to read my book,” Viv said.

“Yeah, okay.”

Caroline opened her computer and went to Netflix. She didn’t find the movie there, so she logged into her parents’ Amazon account to see if it was on Prime.

“Got it,” she said.

“Caroline…”

“Sorry…” Caroline whispered.

She picked up her phone and typed.

Caroline Timothy : Just found it online. I’ll watch it tonight.

The dots appeared, indicating that Enid was typing.

Enid Becker : Yeah? Cool. I was going to suggest we maybe watch it together, though.

Caroline slammed her laptop shut.

“Are you okay?” Viv asked.

“She wants us to watch it together.”

“Okay,” Viv replied.

“So, I shouldn’t watch it now, right?”

“Oh, my God. Caroline!” Viv laughed.

“I’m texting Jodie. She’ll know what to do.” Caroline went to text but stopped. “Wait. If I text her, she’s going to just come over here. Is that okay? I can tell her to stay in her room.”

“It’s fine,” Viv replied.

Caroline messaged Jodie and waited. Within seconds, she heard a door close down the hall due to the thin walls, and Viv stood up to walk over to her closet. Then, there was a knock at the door, which was locked. Viv unlocked it and opened it.

“Oh. Hey,” Jodie said to Viv, probably expecting Caroline to be the one to open the door.

“Hi,” Viv replied. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” Jodie said with a smile before she looked at Caroline. “So, Enid?”

“Yeah,” she replied. “We’re texting.”

“And you don’t know what to say?”

“I just want to call her, but I can’t because Viv is here, and that would be weird.”

“Is she still into you?” Jodie asked.

“She told me she’s good, but I’ve never talked to a girl while I’m in a room with someone else.”

“Oh. Use my room, then. My roommate is gone tonight. She’s sleeping over at her boyfriend’s. I’ll hang out in here with Viv until you’re done.”

“Really?” Caroline asked.

“Yeah. I left the door unlocked. Just don’t have phone sex in my bed or anything.”

“We haven’t even kissed, Jodie,” she said.

“So?”

“I need to see if she wants to talk first,” Caroline added and picked up her phone to type.

Caroline Timothy : Do you maybe want to talk?

Seconds later, she had her reply.

“She said yes.”

“Cool. Have fun,” Jodie told her as she climbed up to Caroline’s bed.

Caroline jumped down and hurried out of the room, passing Viv on her way back.

“Can’t talk. Gotta call.”

“What?” Viv asked, looking confused.

“Ask Jodie.”

“Um… Okay.”

Caroline opened Jodie’s door and closed it behind her, locking it for good measure. She found Enid in her contacts and pressed the screen.

“Hi,” Enid said.

“Hey. Did I interrupt the family movie night?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m good letting them finish it without me.”

“Are you alone or still there?”

“I’m in my room,” Enid replied. “And I’m kind of worried.”

“Worried? What about?”

“We just had our first date and said we’d go out again, but you asked for a call. Is this where you tell me that you’ve thought about it and decided against another date?”

“What? No,” Caroline said.

“No?”

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh,” Enid said, and she sounded like she was smiling now. “Wait. Are you alone?”

“I’m in Jodie’s room.”

“So, she can hear us?”

“No, Jodie is in my room with Viv. Her roommate is gone, so it’s just me in here right now.”

“You kicked her out of her room just to talk to me?”

“She offered,” Caroline said.

“That’s nice of her. I guess I’ll work on forgetting the fact that she’s, apparently, gotten you off before.”

Caroline laughed and replied, “Why do we always talk about the women I’ ve had sex with and not the ones you ’ve been with?”

“What do you want to know?” Enid asked.

Caroline thought about asking about Jill, but she had already told Enid that she wanted to know if and when they did that, and she trusted Enid to be honest with her.

“Nothing, really,” she replied. “I kind of don’t want to think about it.”

“No?”

“Do you like thinking about me with other women?”

“What? No,” Enid told her. “I’m glad you’re a talented artist, but I kind of wish I never would’ve seen Brooke, whatever her last name is, naked in your sketchbook.”

“I forgot it was there. Sorry,” she said and sat on the bottom bunk.

“Caroline?”

“Yeah?”

“I wanted to kiss you tonight.”

“I know. I wanted to kiss you, too,” she replied.

“Why didn’t we?”

“We got interrupted at the movie.”

“I wanted to kiss you then, too, yes, but that’s not what I meant. I meant at your door.”

“I know,” Caroline said.

“I got a cheek kiss instead,” Enid replied.

“I know.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” Caroline replied. “I didn’t want our first kiss to be at the door to my dorm room. Viv was in there, and she could’ve come out at any minute or heard us or something,” she lied.

“And she has a thing for you. Got it,” Enid said. “Sorry, I should’ve thought about that.”

“No, it’s okay. She just told me a few minutes ago that she’s over me, so that’s good.”

“She’s over you?”

“I guess so,” Caroline said. “She told me she was going to ask someone out. Well, she’s thinking about asking someone out, anyway.”

“That’s good,” Enid replied. “So, we’re still good to go on another date?”

“Definitely. We have to watch The Goonies together.”

Enid chuckled in response and said, “I still can’t believe you’ve never seen it.”

“You can see my reaction to it for the first time when we watch it.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Enid said. “Oh, hold on.”

Caroline waited, and it sounded like Enid was talking to someone on her side of the phone.

“Sorry. My brother wants to talk to me about something. Can we talk later?”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes. He just needs help talking to girls,” Enid replied and laughed.

“God, Enid! Shut up!”

“Is that him?” Caroline asked through her laughter.

“Yes, it is. Little EJ here likes a girl and wants to ask her out.”

“Enid! It’s Elijah now.”

“Can I text you later?” Enid asked her.

“Anytime you want,” she replied with a smile.

When they hung up, Caroline stared at her phone, and her smile didn’t waiver. Then, she stood up and headed back to her own room, where she found Jodie asleep in her bed.

“I guess she’s sleeping over tonight, huh?” she said to Viv.

“I guess so,” Viv replied.