From Twinkle, With Love(28)
—M
So Hannah just happened to roll her eyes at the exact same time I made that joke? Mm-hmm. Super believable. And she just happened to make a joke and laugh right after, but that also had nothing to do with me.
What does Maddie not understand about how awful it feels to be made fun of for just existing? Why is this something I have to spell out for her?
Also? Still no apology. I’m not responding.
My computer just dinged. I thought it was an e-mail from Maddie again, maybe detailing exactly what joke Hannah was laughing at, or, if the universe liked me, another e-mail from N (I still haven’t responded to his poem; I’m trying to think of a cute thing to say), but it was Sahil!
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Font
Hi T,
Which font do you like better? See samples attached.
—Sahil
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
Font? Why do you want me to pick a font?
—Twinkle
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
All will be revealed soon! Pick, por favor.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
Hmm, #1.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
Excellent.
Wanna hang out after school tomorrow? Skid, Aaron, and I are going hiking at Red Fox Trail.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
Sure! But hiking after school?
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
I know, I know. Skid’s into botany and there’s an elusive variety of musk thistle that he’s desperate to track down. Aaron and I mostly just laugh at him and his nerdy plant guidebook the entire time, but it’s pretty fun.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
You had me at musk thistle. I’ll be there.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Font
Awesome! I’ll give you a ride after school if you want.
I can hang out with Sahil without all that electricity crackling between us. I’m sure I can do that. Also, I know I was being facetious about that whole musk thistle thing, but hiking with them does sound fun. (Even though most days I’d rather die than go outside to wheel the trash can to the curb.) Love,
Twinkle
<Text message 10:13 p.m.>
From: Sahil
To: Skid, Aaron
Dudes. She’s coming on the hike with us tomorrow
<Text message 10:13 p.m.>
From: Skid
To: Sahil, Aaron
yeah but is she coming as a friend or as a PGF?
<Text message 10:13 p.m.>
From: Aaron
To: Sahil, Skid
PGF?
<Text message 10:14 p.m.>
From: Skid
To: Sahil, Aaron
potential girlfriend
<Text message 10:14 p.m.>
From: Sahil
To: Skid, Aaron
Idk but I’m gonna make it clear that I like her as a PGF
<Text message 10:14 p.m.>
From: Aaron
To: Sahil, Skid
Oh yeah? How are you gonna do that?
<Text message 10:15 p.m.>
From: Sahil
To: Skid, Aaron
Idk but I’ve got moves you guys haven’t even seen yet <Text message 10:15 p.m.>
From: Skid
To: Sahil, Aaron
lol right like how you knocked over the napkin dispenser at Perk? Come to think of it I HADN’T ever seen that move before <Text message 10:16 p.m.>
From: Sahil
To: Skid, Aaron
HILARIOUS
<Text message 10:16 p.m.>
From: Aaron
To: Sahil, Skid
Aw come on we’re jk. Gl bro. We’ll keep our distance so we don’t impinge on your moves <Text message 10:16 p.m.>
From: Skid
To: Sahil, Aaron
yeah or accidentally steal her away. Girls just can’t resist me. it’s like this musk I put out or something <Text message 10:17 p.m.>
From: Sahil
To: Skid, Aaron
You probably got it from your musk thistle gtfo skidmark <Text message 10:17 p.m.>
From: Skid
To: Sahil, Aaron
did I tell you to never call me that on pain of DEATH
<Text message 10:18 p.m.>
From: Sahil
To: Skid, Aaron
Jeez. I’ll leaf you alone now but maybe you should just dill with it <Text message 10:19 p.m.>
From: Aaron
To: Sahil, Skid
Yeah Skid don’t forget the tree of us are best fronds <Text message 10:20 p.m.>
From: Skid
To: Sahil, Aaron
haha the botany puns never get old y’all are idiots
Nine
Tuesday, June 9
AP Econ
Dear Jane Campion,
Brij just asked me if he could audition for Dracula! Apparently he saw one of the many, many flyers Skid and Aaron helped us plaster all over the school. Sahil and I were a little worried we’d get a ticket from Principal Harris for littering or something because so many of them fell off (cheap dollar-store tape), but they must be working. Of course I told Brij yes. I even said Maddie would be there and winked at him, and he just stared at me, all openmouthed like he tends to do. He must be so smitten. I mean, I’m still mad at Maddie, but (a) she brought me my favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Mountain Majesty cupcake from the Cupcake Doctor, and I know she had to wake up an hour early to do that and (b) I can’t let an opportunity for true love pass her by. Look, it’s a choice I’ve made. Maddie with her friends is not the Maddie I know.