Chapter 20

Pat

Is this what dating feels like?

I was in my English class, and Mrs. Jane was teaching us how to write a statement of purpose when my phone vibrated. I don’t have many friends, and Ricky isn’t the type to message during classes. So, when I checked and saw it was a new number, I thought it was my admirer coming to light.

“Tell me you’ve forgotten you said yes moments ago.” 

Eduardo.

I checked that Mrs. Jane wasn’t looking at me before typing a response. 

“Poor Eduardo. I wouldn’t want to break your big heart.”

His reply came in seconds later. Isn’t he in class?

“Nah, man’s heart is a stone.”

I almost laughed out loud at those words.

***

Mom drops me off with her usual warning. 

“Stay away from trouble and avoid that 

boy.” 

I wonder what she’d say if she found out that 

boy 

is my boyfriend now.

Her car peels off the school grounds quietly, and when I turn, I’m met by Edua