Chapter 21 The Long Hot Shower
The Long Hot Shower
Iwait outside the drama room hoping to catch PJ before class starts. It’s not long before he strolls up, arm in arm with Suzi.
“Hey, you two,” I say.
PJ throws a big smile my way, but Suzi scowls. She lets go of PJ and dramatically crosses her arms across her chest. I ignore her antics and hand PJ the note with a shy smile. He carefully unfolds the paper and scans the simple response I wrote. He grins and gives me a thumbs-up.
“Gross! I’m going to barf,” Suzi says as she mimics sticking her finger down her throat and retching.
PJ gives a nervous cough and looks between me and Suzi. I continue to ignore her.
“PJ, can I give you a ride home after class?”
He bites his lip and takes a deep breath. “Sorry, Simon. Suzi and I are walking home together. But I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight for our second date.”
“Oh, of course,” I say. “I understand. Sorry, Suzi.”
“You already took away our Friday night together, and now you want to prevent him from walking home with me too?” Suzi says. She crosses her arms across her chest again and glares at me.
“I’m not trying to monopolize all of PJ’s time,” I plead.
PJ and I stand there speechless. The air is thick and heavy between us. Fortunately, the bell rings, and Tillie calls us into class. We head inside, nothing resolved.
I have a hard time concentrating during class.
I need a minute alone with PJ to understand how he is feeling about the ever-growing tension between me and Suzi.
But the moment never presents itself. It seems to me Tillie is doing her best to keep us separated during class, and I swear at one point she gives me a little wink as if to say, Happy you two are dating, but not during my class.
When the bell signals the end of class—and the day—I stay in my seat and watch PJ and Suzi get up to leave. Suzi quickly walks out the door, and PJ follows, but he turns around at the last minute and mouths sorry with a wave goodbye. I smile and wave back. I gather my things and head out as well.
Driving home after school, I can hardly contain my excitement for tonight.
Maybe I’m seeing everything through rose-colored glasses since PJ held his hand out to me, but it all seems less bad now.
I refuse to let the fear of dying at 11:22 and the alien in my stomach—not even Suzi—get me down these days.
I make a pit stop at the grocery store to pick up our stash for movie night.
So much has changed in such a short period of time.
I started this school year with two friends, two moms, and one dad.
Juggling my free time was super easy. Nobody was ever left out except for Dad, occasionally.
Now, in addition to all of them, I have a real-life boyfriend and three new friends: Hector, Paul, and Latica.
Maybe even the whole GSA. Shit…things are about to get complicated.
Someone’s feelings are bound to get hurt, but PJ will have to come first. Ugh, I don’t want to think about this now.
I want one thing on my mind—my date with PJ tonight.
PJ is picking me up at 6:00 p.m. and we are going to his favorite restaurant for dinner.
I have no idea what it is, but I can’t wait.
Will PJ and I have our first kiss tonight?
I want it to happen, but I’m conflicted.
Sometimes, the thought of kissing PJ gets me warm all over and aroused.
Very aroused. Other times, the alien gets restless and tries to claw its way out of my stomach.
It’s uncomfortable, and it makes me want to run away.
I prefer the arousal, obviously, but I have no control over which feelings surface.
I arrive home and no one’s there, so I jump in my shower and make the water extra hot.
Having my own bathroom is a perk of our new apartment.
I use my favorite soap that I save for special occasions.
It’s from last summer’s Renaissance Festival, and it smells like smoke and sandalwood.
I want to smell good for PJ. I want to smell…
manly. I picture kissing PJ as he tells me he likes how I smell.
A tingling sensation takes over me, not the alien, so I take advantage of the alone time in the hot, steamy shower and slide the soap lower, between my legs.
I don’t know how long I was in the shower, but by the time I emerge the entire bathroom and bedroom are as steamy as a locker room.
PJ never told me if we are going to a casual place for dinner or somewhere fancier.
Should I dress nicer than my usual shorts and T-shirt?
I err on the side of caution and choose khaki pants paired with a midnight-blue button-down, both clean.
I’m satisfied with my clothing choices and the way my hair looks (PJ likes my curls), but it’s later than I thought.
I run out of my bedroom and bump straight into Carole who is standing in the hallway holding a Chinese takeout menu.
“Well, that was a long shower. What were you doing in there? On second thought, don’t answer that.
There are some things moms don’t need to know!
Your mom promises to be home for dinner and the movie tonight.
Do you want your usual? Hot and sour soup with a double order of egg rolls.
Or is this the night you break tradition? ”
“Um, yeah, I’m breaking tradition tonight.”
“Whoa, stop the presses,” Carole says. “I can’t believe it! I bet your new choice will include cashew nuts. Am I right? I bet I’m right.”
“No, Carole, I’m going out to dinner with a friend. Is that okay? I’ll be back in time for the movie, I promise.”
“Oh, okay. Your mom might be disappointed, but it’s fine with me.
Hmm, I guess this explains why you’re dressed so nicely.
Who is this friend? And what is that smell?
Are you wearing cologne? No! Shut the front door!
You’ve got a date. Oh my God, I have to call Lindsey and tell her.
She is going to freak out. She has been looking forward to this day forever. ”
I put my finger up to my lips and make a sh sound. Carole jumps up and down silently and puts her hand over her mouth.
“Calm down,” I say. “Don’t get too excited, it’s just dinner.”
Unable to contain her excitement, she fans herself with the takeout menu. “Will this friend be joining us for movie night by any chance?”
“Maybe,” I say. “If you and Mom promise not to freak out and make a big deal about it.”
Carole pulls me into a big bear hug and doesn’t let go. “You smell very nice,” she whispers in my ear. “Where has the time gone? You’re growing up so fast.”
She pulls away and wipes a tear from her cheek. She disappears into her bedroom and comes back with cash in her hand.
“Hold out your hand,” she says. She counts three crisp twenty-dollar bills into my palm. “Just in case you need it.”
She walks me to the front door, gives me another hug, and looks me in the eye.
“Be polite, be respectful. Don’t talk about yourself too much. Listen more than you talk. Ask questions and have a great time. I can’t wait to meet her!”
I’m shell-shocked as she pushes me out the front door.