Chapter 10 Sloane
Sloane
To text, or not to text, that is the question.
Arriving home yesterday, hungover and looking like garbage, I wasn’t surprised I got a raised eyebrow from my mom. It’s the first time she’s seen me this way, and I know she was disappointed. The reason she and my dad are so cool about me going to parties is the fact I never get wasted.
They may rethink their stance on it now. Especially Dad, who has always been the worrier. Mom takes things in stride and gives me more room to make mistakes.
This was one of those mistakes. I’m just pleased I was around friends and safe. Even though that was the case this time, bad things happen at parties, and I know better than to leave myself vulnerable like that. I’ve learned my lesson. I just had to convince my parents of that.
Anyway, Becca and I spent the afternoon vegging out on the couch watching movies. When she went home, Mom and Dad summoned me to the kitchen table. It’s where all our important talks happen.
It went a little something like this…
“Should we be worried, Sloane?” Mom asks softly.
“No. I’m sorry. It really was a one-off.
You know I don’t like drinking to excess.
” And I don’t. I enjoy the slight buzz of one or two drinks, but after that?
Nope. I don’t like feeling out of control.
My parents know I have a beer now and then.
Their attitude has always been chill. They’d rather know I’m having a drink than have me lie to them and get into trouble.
“Did something happen, honey?” Dad asks, his arm around the back of my mom’s chair.
Sighing, I try to figure out why I drank myself stupid. Eden. Well, not her. She didn’t drive me to drink or anything. I just placed high expectations on the night and when they didn’t pan out the way I wanted them to, I stupidly relieved my disappointment with tequila.
Do I want to tell my parents about it? Not particularly.
If I don’t, though, they’ll worry I’m spiraling and the likelihood of getting to go to another party will be zero.
However, I will probably skip the next one or two.
I doubt Eden will be coaxed into going again, and I’d rather spend some time with her.
I spend the next few minutes explaining what happened with Eden.
How she dislikes parties. That I found her alone outside, watching the stars.
How we stole party food and went to my assigned room.
The fact she didn’t want to spend the night watching TV together.
Lame, I know, to be so upset over something so small.
“So when I went back to the party, I went at it with a little too much enthusiasm. I swear I wasn’t drinking to get drunk, if that makes sense. It was more determination to have fun and not feel rejected.”
There, I admit it. Eden sending me away felt like a rejection.
Dumb.
Mom smiles kindly. “Sweetie, I don’t think Eden rejected you. I’m guessing she wanted you to have a good time. There aren’t many seventeen-year-olds who prefer a night in rather than a high school party. She probably thought you wanted to go back to your friends.”
“I know. I just really wanted to spend some time with her. I don’t care if it’s in front of a TV.”
Dad clears his throat. “Do…um, do we need to take you to a pharmacy or anything?”
Ew. “No, Dad. I will never be drunk enough to have sex with a boy. Yuck.”
Mom chuckles. “You can catch things from girls too, you know.”
This is horrifying. We’ve had the sex talk, no need to revisit it.
“Nothing happened. Well, Kiera kissed me. Twice. But I stopped it.”
Mom’s eyebrows raise. “Kiera, the soccer captain? Yeah, you’ve said she has a thing for you.”
I scrunch up my nose. “Not my type. Plus, she’s not a particularly nice person.”
Sure, she’s pretty, but she’s got a horrible attitude. I’m pretty sure she said something shitty to Eden this morning. I’ll need to have a sober chat with her. Make sure she knows the score.
“You said Eden was in the room you were supposed to sleep in?” Dad inquires.
Rolling my eyes, I laugh. “I didn’t have sex with anyone, Dad. Yes, Eden and I shared a room. She looked after me when Becca took me upstairs. Even made me breakfast. Total gentlewoman.”
I’ll leave out the part where she watched me throw up repeatedly.
He nods his approval. Mom smiles. “She sounds like a lovely young woman.”
“I…I asked her out on a date. This morning. I finally asked her.”
Mom hauls me into a hug. “Sloane, that’s fantastic.”
I can feel myself beaming. “I just figured I’d shoot my shot.”
“That’s my girl. So, when is it?” Dad asks. Is it weird they are both so invested in my dating life?
I deflate. “We didn’t set a time or place. Becca totally ruined the moment. Then we had to get home so…”
Mom grabs my face. “Text her!”
And that brings me to the present: me in my room staring at my phone like it might bite me.
I didn’t text her last night. When I woke up, I gnawed my lip so badly it bled.
It’s stupid. I’ve already done the hard part of asking her out.
I mean, she’s already agreed, so why can’t I just send her a message?
Ugh, I’m worried she’s changed her mind. Well, she’s bound to have thought about the party, and I wouldn’t blame her if it made her rethink the date. I was a fucking mess.
My internal torture is interrupted by Mom sticking her head around my door. She looks from me to my phone, which I’ve dropped to my chest in sheer frustration.
“Breakfast will be ready soon, honey. You have five minutes to text the girl. May I recommend going for a small hike or something?”
Then she’s gone.
Oh my god, I’m being so ridiculous.
Huffing out my frustration, I pick up my phone with renewed confidence.
I’ll ask her to go on a hike with me this afternoon.
If she has changed her mind about dating, it won’t have been a waste of time.
She will have done some exercise. Because no matter what happens between us, I’m determined to get her through this 5k.
I just really hope she hasn’t changed her mind.
You: 8:25 AM
Morning Eden. I hope you’re having a nice weekend. I wondered if you’re free this afternoon for a small hike?
Why am I being so formal?
Eden: 8:27 AM
A hike is a bit of a step up from walking Sloane!
I smile because she’s adorable. Of course, she’s focused on the exercise part of my message.
You: 8:30 AM
I said a small hike. It would be a great way to test your fitness level. Plus, there are some really beautiful spots around here. They might inspire some art. Win-win!
Eden: 8:31 AM
…
What does that mean? Typo? Maybe she’s figuring out a way to let me down easy.
Eden: 8:32 AM
Ugh, you’re gonna be the death of me, Bishop! Fine, I’ll do a hike. You better bring snacks. I’m wearing my boots too. Where and what time?
Letting out a squeal, I hold my phone so tight I swear I hear it strain under the pressure.
You: 8:33 AM
Noon. Come to my place and I’ll drive.
Eden: 8:34 AM
See you later.
Eden: 8:34 AM
?
She…she sent me a heart emoji. That’s a good sign, for sure.
Racing down the stairs, I slide into the kitchen Jerry Maguire-style. Yes, I know the movie. Mom and Dad have taught me well.
“She’s coming over later,” I pant.
“Okay. Should I make lunch?” Mom asks over her shoulder, chuckling at the sight of me looking all flustered.
“I was thinking we could have a picnic on the hike. That’s date territory, right?”
Mom winks. “That’s perfect, honey.”
The morning rushes by in a whirl of food prep and showering. I shave my legs, even though there’s no regrowth from the last time. It’s just part of my preparation routine, regardless of what clothes I’ll be wearing or what I’ll be doing.
Mom is a saint. There’s no other way to say it.
She’s made me a backpack full of delicious food and sparkling apple cider.
She said it was refreshing having to plan food that didn’t contain meat.
She’s going to lose her shit when I finally invite Eden around for dinner.
I’m betting she does a practice run through whatever vegetarian dish she cooks.
At twelve on the dot the doorbell chimes. My palms get sweaty quickly. Brushing down my clean shorts and t-shirt, I check my hair one last time. Okay, I’m ready.
Eden is slouched casually on the railing of our porch.
Did she get another haircut? She looks so effortlessly cool.
Her black hair is shorter, in an edgy modern mullet style.
Both sides of her head look freshly shaved.
Her bangs fall just past her eyebrow, which means she flicks it or blows it out of her eye every few minutes.
As usual, her upper body is swamped in a hoodie three sizes too big. It’s forest green with a rainbow decal. Her pants are tight and black, just how I like them on her.
Yum. Her butt looks great in them. As good as she looks, her clothes aren’t very practical for hiking.
“It’s the best I could do on short notice, Bishop!”
“I didn’t say anything, Sawyer,” I retort with a grin. She narrows her eyes playfully.
“Mmm, I still know what you were thinking.”
Shrugging, I lean against the door jamb. “You just might get warm, is all.”
“I’m wearing layers. Now, are we going?”
Mom decides that’s the perfect time to step out holding my backpack. I specifically told her not to do this, but I can’t exactly get mad after all the help and advice she’s given me leading up to today.
“Eden, it’s lovely to meet you.”
Eden immediately stands up straight and shoves out her hand. God, she’s sweet. Mom smiles and takes her hand, giving it a firm shake.
“How are you, Mrs. Bishop?”
“I’m very well, thank you, Eden. Sloane tells me we’ll be seeing a bit more of you from now on. Something to do with a 5k run?”
Eden blushes slightly. “Yeah, well. Your daughter is persuasive.”
Mom bursts out laughing. “She gets that from me.”
Clapping once, I take Mom by the shoulders and guide her back inside. “Bye, Mom!”
Mom is still laughing when I close the door on her. Eden grins. “She seems nice.”
“Yeah, she’s alright, I guess.”
We head to my car. I become acutely aware that this is the first time we’ll be alone since yesterday morning.
As I drive towards the national park, I start to feel anxious.
Should I apologize again for the party? Or maybe ask if she sees this outing as a date?
Or if she wants to veto the whole thing altogether.
“Sloane, if you nibble your lip any more it’s gonna fall off.”
Shit, she’s right. Ouch.
Eden tentatively reaches over and places her hand on my knee. “Are you…um, are you having second thoughts? About the date?”
Oh, thank God. “No, I was worried you were!”
Eden snorts. “Christ this is dumb. Okay, let’s start again. Sloane, do you want to date me?”
I smile. “Yes, I do.”
“Great. Do you still harbor the desire to get me to exercise?”
My turn to snort. “Absolutely.”
“Bugger,” she mumbles. “Alright, so this is our first date?”
“Um, it can be. Honestly, I chose a hike in case you’d changed your mind, and I could pass it off as part of our exercise schedule.”
Eden turns in her seat. “Sloane. You can’t honestly think I’d change my mind. I mean, to be frank, I’m still in shock that you like me.”
“Eden, I’ve liked you for nearly three years.”
Her shock is evident, which blows my mind. Eden Sawyer definitely doesn’t know how desirable she is.
“That’s…really?”
“Yep.”
She throws her hands up. “Why the hell didn’t you say anything?”
“Oh, like you did?”
“Of course I didn’t. You’re way out of my league, Sloane. You’ve got half the school wanting to ask you out.”
Cutting my hand through the air, I stop her talking. “That’s the last time you ever say I’m out of your league.”
“Fine. But seriously. Three years?”
I shrug. “I was nervous.”
She opens and closes her mouth several times. “Well, shit.”
“Okay, okay. How about we move on from the shock and awe of our mutual attraction, and get this date started.”
“Agreed. But on our second date I’m not planning on doing anything remotely strenuous. You better be ready to do some serious sitting on your bum, eating junk food.”
“Sounds so romantic,” I jest. Actually it sounds perfect. I like that we’re opposites. It means our dates will be diverse. Plus, I don’t hate the idea of snuggling up to Eden.
“I’ve never dated before. You should probably know that going in,” she blurts.
“I’ve only dated a couple of times, so I’m not exactly an expert. Anyway, I don’t want to compare us to anyone else.”
The parking lot is empty when we arrive. The route I plan to take her on is only a couple of miles. There are a few uphill sections that will get our heart rates up. The scenery is the main pull, though. Perfect for a picnic and maybe a first kiss.
We’re twenty minutes into the walk and I can see Eden is already struggling. So far we haven’t talked any more about our dating expectations, but I feel confident. Now that we’ve stopped being awkward with each other, that is.
“Do you want some water?” Taking a bottle from the side pocket of my pack, I hand it back to her.
“You see now what a massive job you’ve signed up for? I can barely walk up a hill and you think I’m gonna be running five kilometers?” she pants.
“I do. I have faith.” I also have a new way to motivate her. Coming to a stop, I slip the pack off. Eden is too busy pulling her hoodie off to notice. She almost bowls me over. Thankfully, I grab her before we end up on our asses.
“Shit, sorry,” she mumbles through the fabric of her top. When she frees herself, her breath catches at my closeness.
“How are you feeling?” My voice is low.
“Better now,” she says just as quietly.
“I figured we could stop here and eat. It’s a nice place.” It’s nowhere near where I wanted to stop, but I don’t want her overdoing it and hating our date.
Instead of answering, her eyes drop to my lips. My hormones take over and I pitch forward. Eden meets me in the middle.
We’re kissing. I’m kissing Eden Sawyer. On the lips. And it is good!