“Barf. But I get what you’re saying. He’s intense. I think that’s just how he is.”
I could tell her so many things about him. But my feelings toward him are too strong, and I know if I say anything else it’ll come across as self-serving and bossy. I may as well start whining about how nice guys never get the girl, so I shut my mouth.
We walk around a large lake. In the middle of the water is a fountain that looks like a leaping goldfish vomiting water from its mouth. The lake itself looks sludgy and slightly green, partly covered with rotting leaves. The path we’re walking on is cream-colored concrete that’s filled with cracks. Juliet’s shoes make a satisfying clicking sound with every step.
“Do you like anyone, Caden?” asks Juliet. “You’ve been here awhile, so have you spotted anyone you could see yourself dating?”
She’s giving me her best doe eyes and her arms are swaying, her fingers curling inward, making a semi-fist. This is a test. She’s mining for information about my feelings. This is a good sign. It means she cares.
I shoot her a sly grin. “Maybe one.”
“You aren’t going to tell me who it is, are you?”
“I might,” I say. “I just want to make sure she likes me back first.”
She skips ahead to catch up with Natalie and Trevor. When she reaches them she stops and looks back at me. “Caden, she’s probably waiting for you to do the same thing.” She shrugs. “Just saying.”
She turns around and falls into step with Natalie and Trevor. I tuck my hands into my pockets and start whistling. Juliet just told me what she wants: she’s interested, but wants me to make the first move. I think about what the LIC taught me about that. One of the best Nice strategies is a big romantic first date. It’s settled. Tonight, at the party, I’m going to ask her out.
At her house, her mom opens the door. She’s dressed in a sleek black pantsuit but her blondish hair is ruffled, like she’s been running her fingers through it a lot.
“Caden,” she says as I step into the doorway. “No injuries this time?”
“None at all.”
“Great. Now, I’ve known you for a long time so I don’t feel bad asking for help. Richard’s in the kitchen preparing some snacks for you guys. Can you go and help him? Juliet, set the table.”
Juliet puts her hands on her hips. “Mom, I told you this is a casual thing.”
“Nonsense. We don’t do casual.” She points at Natalie and Trevor. “You two can go watch TV if you’d like. Caden, Juliet, snap to it.”
Natalie and Trevor stare into each other’s eyes.
“I could get used to this,” says Natalie.
“So could I, babe. Why do you think I want to go to the Olympics so bad? Win one medal and it’s, like, rock star treatment for the rest of your life!”
“Well, you’d better win! A girl could get very used to this lifestyle.” She playfully punches his chest. “And I’m rather fond of you. I’d hate to ditch you for the guy in the next lane. But I will do it. If he beats you, that is.”
I head into the kitchen. Richard is wearing an apron and carefully slicing a slab of smoked salmon. Little pieces of pink gel cling to the edge of the blade.
He places the knife down on the white stone counter top. “It’s great to see you again, Caden. But shouldn’t you be fraternizing with the other youth?”
“Daphne told me to come and help you.”
He wipes his hands on a green dish towel. “Of course she did. That’s not a problem, is it?”
“Not at all! What do you need?”
He points to an empty white bowl. Beside it is a bag of sea salt–flavored chips.
“Can you open that and take it out to the table? There are some dips in the fridge; can you take those as well?” I nod. “Thanks, Caden, you’re a lifesaver.”
I squeeze the bag and open the chips, unleashing a salty smell. My mouth starts to water as I dump the chips into a bowl. Then I open the fridge and retrieve two clear plastic containers. One is filled with brownish dip and the other is green, presumably avocado. Both look delicious, and both are obviously off-limits for me.
“They’re homemade,” says Richard as he washes an apple in the sink. “Daphne’s own recipe. Trust me, once you’ve tried them, you’ll make your own from scratch too. It’s so much better than that store-bought garbage.”
“I bet it is!”
Carrying them, I walk out into the living room.
It’s a wide room, with two brown leather couches placed in front of a huge wide-screen TV. On the wall to the left of the TV is a massive mahogany bookshelf. One side is devoted to thick legal textbooks, and the other is filled with brightly covered cookbooks. In front of the books are various knick-knacks, like a small golden cannon and a framed photo of a baby in a white gown. It’s like a mural devoted to her family. A piece of minimalist art is on the other wall.
On the couch, Natalie is sitting on top of Trevor, kissing him. Her hair has fallen over both of their faces. I blush as I walk past them and place the food down on the coffee table. The only other thing on the table is a big hardcover book filled with photos of the ocean. I flip it open, trying to ignore the sucking and slurping coming from the couch. A harsh laugh sounds.
“I take it you’re not a fan of PDAs, Caden?”
“Is anyone?” I crack open the container of avocado dip. It smells heavenly and makes my stomach rumble. No way. I need to think of my abs.
Trevor tilts his head and looks at me. “Dude, I have a question for you.”
“Shoot.”
“Have you ever kissed anyone?”
“Trevor,” says Natalie, her tone harsh. “Don’t be mean.”
“I’m not being mean. But come on, look at him, he’s blushing at the sight of us. He’s the most innocent thing I’ve ever seen.”
What should I say, Kaylee?
No response.
I shrug my shoulders. “It’s fine. Um, yeah, I have. Kissed someone, I mean. I’m not as innocent as I look.”
Isn’t that the truth.
“I don’t believe that for a second. Who have you kissed?”
Dyl. I kissed Dyl, and it was possibly the best moment of my life.
“Does it matter?”
“It does, man. I want to be your friend and I know none of your romantic history. So fill me in! Who was she? What did she look like?”
His use of the word “she” makes me flinch. He said it so confidently, like I would only ever want to kiss girls. I know that’s not the case, and that wanting to kiss another boy is perfectly normal, but he doesn’t seem to know that. What am I supposed to do, contradict him and make this a big thing? I could never do that because I’m a Love Interest, but the fact that he didn’t even give me the option to be gay makes me want to throw something at him.