The next day, Saturday, Naperfest is in full swing, but neither Val nor Ben decide to go again which means I can spend my day off in peace. I sleep in, having gotten back pretty late the night before, and when I wake up, I take a moment to just bask in the serenity of my room. I'm home alone today, so I can spend the day as I please without interruption.

Seeing as summer is almost over and I have yet to begin my summer work, I hop in my car and head over to Harrison's Bookstore. I didn't ask Ben if he was working today so I could wheedle his discount out of him, but regardless, there's a skip in my step when I head into the store. There's something about bookstores and libraries that's so calming and enchanting to me. My older sister Gwen tells me its because of the quiet, but I like to think it's something else.

I'm meandering down the aisles, searching for the novel I'm supposed to read for AP Lit, when Ben's face appears on the opposite side of the shelf. I yelp, dropping the book I'd pulled out. "Ben!"

Ben darts around the shelf to my side of it, an impish grin on his face. "Scared you."

"Yeah, no kidding," I huff a breath, leaning down to pick up my book. "I didn't know you were working today."

"Neither did I," Ben makes a funny face. "They called me in because someone took the day off. Why they need the extra help, I'm not sure." He waves a hand around the practically deserted bookstore.

I smile, a silent laugh on my lips. "Well, I'm glad you are." I hold up my book, my innocent smile turning into a devilish grin.

Ben tosses his head of dark hair back and groans. "I swear you only like me because of my discount." But he starts towards the register on the opposite side of the store.

"I mean, are you wrong?" Ben gives me a wounded look, but I nudge him playfully. "Relax, old man."

Ben huffs a breath, but we've reached the belt of registers. He hurries around it, and as he's logging into one of the monitors, my phone begins to pulse repeatedly in my back pocket. Frowning, I dig it out and stare at the glowing screen.

Val: iMessage (7)

@valgarcia6 shared a tweet with you

Val: Missed Call

"What's going on?" Ben asks, ringing up my book.

I look up from my phone at Ben's stoic face. "Val. She's either excited about something or dying."

Ben's eyebrows shoot up. "Well, let's hope it's the former. Can't have Valentina dying on me when she owes me for two funnel cakes."

I roll my head, but type back a quick response to Val: you good??

Before I know it, Val's calling me again. I accept the call, holding my phone to my ear. Before I can so much as say hello, Val is screeching into my ear so loudly I need to hold my phone back.

"LEVI LIKES SOMEONE AND I THINK IT'S YOU."

My heart stops. My eyes fly wide open. What?

"Woah!" Ben exclaims, grabbing the phone. "Volume check, Val. One more time with our inside voices."

I hear Val draw out a groan, but when Ben holds the phone back to me, she's lowered her voice. "So I did some digging."

"You mispronounced stalking," I counter, but Val doesn't hear me. She's on a roll, and frankly, I don't blame her.

"In the past week, Levi has liked an assortment of tweets relating to wanting a stable relationship, which cross out Melina as a possible hook-up because she is anything but stable. Also, Levi tweeted 'pleasantly surprised' with one of those blushing emojis around midnight last night. So, seeing as you and Levi haven't spoken since last year--you guys had pre-calc together, right?--he could be pleasantly surprised about talking to you!"

Val's discovery doesn't strike as much of a chord with me as she probably thinks, but I do admit, the idea is...thrilling. But then again, Val has delusions of grandeur at times, and can turn one simple message into one of various meanings.

"Val," I try and placate. "Chill."

Val huffs over the phone. "I'm trying to help! And on that note, we are going to the mall."

Ben knits his eyebrows from behind the counter, and I toss him a ten to pay for the book. "Why are we going to the mall, Val?"

"One, because we need new clothes for school. And two, it's the perfect place to begin what I have dubbed 'The Plan'. Insert trademark symbol here," Val says, and I can practically feel the pride in her voice.

"What plan?" I ask, grabbing my change and receipt from Ben, who leans against the counter, intrigued.

"Just trust me and get to the mall. I'll meet you there in twenty minutes," Val commands.

The hope of my blissful day spent with Netflix and Ben and Jerry's materializes in my mind, practically waving goodbye. I wince. "Val, I have plans for--"

"We can get Panda."

"Never mind, I'll be there."

Val hangs up without a goodbye, and with a shake of my head, I stuff my phone into my pocket. Ben watches me expectantly for a summary of what the heck our Val is on about.

"So?" Ben asks.

"So," I sigh. "Val has some sort of master plan regarding Levi Graham, who she's convinced has a crush on me, so I have to go to the mall."

"Naturally." Ben nods. "Well, you better head out then."

I grab my bag with the book in it and start for the door. "Have fun with work!" I call before disappearing out the door.

"I won't!" Ben echoes. "Hey, bring me back some food!"

I disappear out the door before I can answer, but there's a laugh on my lips. I'm just getting into my car, creating the route from Harrison's to the mall in my head, when my phone vibrates again. I'm wondering what Val could have possibly forgotten, but Val isn't the name that appears on my screen.

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