Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(15)

BigBaller27: Just wanted to say goodnight :)





My chest tightens as I wait for a reply. Was that too much? Was it too soon? It’s like a first kiss, I guess. You don’t want to try and make out with the girl the first time you guys talk, but what if you wait too long? Then you lend yourself over to possibly being in the friend zone. What am I saying, friend zone? She technically isn't even my friend. She's a texting buddy. But still … there's something about the way we've texted so far.

Emerald22: Thx. Sweet dreams ;)





Chapter 10





Emma





The moment my eyes open I reach for my phone. A small frown curves over my lips, as I see no new texts. Then I remember about last night and smile. He texted me to say goodnight. It was the sweetest thing ever! There was a small part of me nervous about telling him sweet dreams, but only a little. I debated with myself right after I sent it, thinking it might've been a little much, but he initiated the goodnight. Sweet dreams was a proper response.

The smile doesn't leave my face the entire morning. When I get into Jen's car, she looks at me confused, sipping a Frappuccino.

“Wow, what’s got you all frenetic?”

My eyes dart over to her, as she hands me a drink she got me. The smile’s still on my lips as I sip my mocha frapp’. Opening my text messages, I show her the screen.

“He texted me last night to say goodnight.”

Jen’s mouth drops open as she grabs my phone and stares at it. “Oh, that is too cute!” She starts scrolling through my messages. “Holy hell, Emma. How much did you text yesterday?”

"I know." I take my phone back. "We messaged each other for, like, a whole hour, before he had to go do something. We kind of set up some ground rules for our …" I look at my phone, debating on the right word. "Situation."

“Ground rules, huh?” She takes another sip of her drink and pulls out onto the road. “Explain.”

I go over everything that we covered, and by the time we pull into the student parking lot, I'm almost bouncing up and down on her seat.

“Next time, I’m getting you decaf.” She smirks at me.

My phone chimes.

BigBaller27: Morning ;)





My mouth drops and the warmth I was feeling yesterday as we exchanged messages is back, starting in my chest, spreading out through my entire body. Jen looks at me and then at my phone.

"A good night and a good morning text? Okay, if this guy is hot, then you better find out who he is stat!"

I giggle as I get out of the car and make my way to first period.

And that's how it goes for the rest of the week. I try to contain my excitement, but it's difficult. He'll text me a random, annoying thing one of his teachers did, and I'll laugh. I'll text him, asking what I should get for lunch, and he'll suggest something. That's how I find out we both like Pepsi.

As the week passes, I start to wonder more and more who he is and what he looks like. Does he play sports, or is he all about studying? Is he overweight? Would I mind that? I shake my head whenever thoughts like those start entering my brain because the more time passes, the more I realize, I'm starting to like this guy. And like him for who he is on the inside, learning about his likes and dislikes. Not some outer, physical appearance. This isn't a typical, high school relationship forming, where the homecoming king is dating the popular cheerleader girl. This is something more. Something real.

BigBaller27: U know, if we knew each other, I’d invite you to a beach party I’m getting dragged to this weekend.





I'm blushing brighter than a tomato for two reasons. First, he's talking about inviting me out somewhere. Like a date. Like an actual, real-life date. I hadn't thought about something like that since my epic-fail of being able to put words together with Paxton. But secondly, and more distressingly, I believe, is that he's throwing it out there. Meeting. I wasn't sure if he'd bring it up again, when I freaked out the first time, and remembering how I reacted is not helping anything. It's not exactly like he's bringing it up again, so maybe he didn't even mean anything by it, or perhaps he's just, like, trying to feel the waters out, or maybe he's just … Breathe. Just, breathe, Emma.

I put my phone in my pocket and stare at my sandwich.

“Okay, that’s it,” Lana says, eyeing me suspiciously.

“What?” My eyes shoot up to her.

“You’ve been acting funny all week. What gives?”

I snort out a laugh as I look over at Jen, who just raises her eyebrows. “Nothing.”

“Yeah, right,” Micah says. “We noticed it Wednesday but didn’t say anything. And yesterday your eyes were glued to your phone for almost the entire lunch.”

“No, they weren’t.”

“They kinda were,” Jen says. My mouth hangs open at Jen in betrayal. “Emma, it’s time.”

“What’s time?” Lana asks.

“No, Jen, it’s not. It’s only been a week.”

“What’s been a week?” Micah raises his voice.

“Nothing.” I wrinkle my nose, looking down at my sandwich.

“Yes, something,” Jen counters. “A lot can happen in a week. Hell, a lot has happened in a week.”