Scarlette: Where are u
Me: I'm at home. Where are you?
Scarlette: Steve's class

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, wondering who Steve is. It's not like I know everyone's first name, especially my teachers.

Me: Who's Steve?
Scarlette: Steve Harvey
Scarlette: He saw my phone
Scarlette: Might skip

I laugh, lighty, at the chaos of her texts. We've been texting since six this morning and it's now noon. Scarlette complained about getting a ride from Jackson, her classes, and how she heard we had spaghetti for lunch. I, on the other hand, updated her on the Disney movies I was watching. I'm on movie three, and it's Pinnochio.

Me: Don't skip, you'd get in trouble.

It takes a while for Scarlette to reply, giving me time to get a bag of Sun chips.

Scarlette: Too late
Scarlette: I already got past the office

I shake my head with a small smile. Scarlette is going to do Scarlette, regardless of what I tell her. She wants to skip school? She'll do it. She wants to street race at the butt crack of dawn? She'll do it. She wants to eat cold, leftover pizza from Armadillo's Arcade? She'll do it.

Some of her actions and decisions aren't the best, but I still can't help but envy her. Scarlette does what she wants, not letting what people think bother her. She lives her life to the fullest, enjoying what her teenage years have to offer. I can't say the same about me. I'm pushed out of my thoughts from a ringing sound. It's Scarlette. I hastily pick up my phone while clearing my throat.

"Hello?"

"Hey, sweetheart. What you doing?"

I smile.

"I'm eating chips."

Scarlette hums on the other end of the line- the sound of cars passing and wind whipping through the air being heard. I eat two more chips, my attention slowly going back to the movie playing on my TV. There's a faint clicking sound, making me think she hung up the call. I glance at my phone to see she's still there, but not speaking.

"Did you mean to hang up, but forget?" I ask, humming at the deliciousness of my snack. There's no immediate answer which makes me think Scarlette forgot about me and put her phone in her pocket. I don't want to be the one to hang up, so I put my phone on speaker before setting it back next to me.

I get halfway through my movie when she finally speaks. It wasn't me she was talking to though. She's speaking kind of fast to someone, the conversation lasting an entire five minutes. Maybe I should end the call.

"Still there, sweetheart?"

"Yes," I answer, my hands instantly going to pick up my phone. Wow, calm down Nolan.

"Your parents home?"

"No, they're out doing business. I've been home alone all day," I don't know why I include that extra information, but I do.

"I'm coming to pick you up. Be ready in ten minutes."

I nod, knowing she can't see me, then freeze. I take a moment to process her previous words, my eyes soon bulging out of my head. What!? What does she mean be ready in ten minutes? She's picking me up?

"Did you hear me?"

"I-I heard you," I stutter out, "why are you picking me up?"

There's a couple of noises, and the start of a car that sends me flying out of my bed. My phone is still on speaker, so I leave it on my bed. I pull open my closet doors so fast, I don't notice the way they vibrate from the sudden force. Is she on her way to my home right now? She didn't say what we were doing...

"Where are we going?" I ask, searching through my many sweaters, anime merch, church attire, sleep wear, and lazy clothes. There's some casual wear, but those correlate with my sweaters.

"Out. I might be a minute or two late," she answers, with short replies, not wanting to give anything anyway.

I groan into my closet. If only I could just walk in and back out with an outfit chosen for me. The clock reads 1:12pm- Madaline should have a free period right about now. I think for a second, wondering if I should hang up on Scarlette. I like her presence on the phone, but I need advice...I'll see her soon anyway, right?

"Hey, I'm going to hang up for a second. Is that okay?" I ask her. Hanging up without saying anything is rude, plus I don't want her thinking anything is wrong. Well...seriously wrong.

"Do what you will. Don't forget about me, Nol."

I smile and hang up after wishing her another goodbye. It didn't last long as I went back to freaking out about a simple outfit. My phone rings, waiting for my, most likely , sleeping friend to pick up. She answers after the fifth ring, a yawn filling the silence.

"Yello?" she says, her hello sounding slurred.

"Are you in class right now? I don't want to be a bother," I question. Her studies are important, even if she does sleep through half of them.

"Nope, what do ya need?"

I glance back at the horror of my closet, then at the time on my phone. Scarlette said ten minutes but she'll be a little late. How long has it been since then?

"Scarlette called- she's coming to pick me up and won't tell me where we're going. I don't know what to wear, and I need your expertise," I ramble.

Madaline squeals into the phone making me cringe a little. She continues this for a little more before settling down.

"I never thought I'd see the day where my best friend needs help for a date! My baby is growing up!"

"Madaline," I urge.

"Sorry, sorry. Answer my video call."

Madaline's face shows up on my screen and I accept her call. She motions for me to show her my closet, so I flip my camera around. I stand back a little to make it easier for her to see everything.

"Wear that purple sweater over a white-collared shirt. Scarlette likes purple and it's more your style."

I move to grab the clothes and put them nicely on my bed. Staring back at my closet, I choose a pair of loose, tan cargo pants. Madaline approves of my choice and tells me to wear white shoes.

"Did you shower?"

"Of course."

"Okay, well get dressed. I need to see you style your hair."

I salute Madaline then hurry up to change into the new clothes. I decide to put on purple, anime socks to match my sweater. Madaline tells me to brush my hair back, then run my hands through it a few times. I do that and end up spraying some cologne on me. I re-brush my teeth and use mouthwash to get the smell of chips out my breath.

"When did she say she'd be there?" Madaline asks, making me check the time again. It's been about twenty minutes since I called her- Scarlette should be here soon. I tell this to Madaline who ends up telling me to call her later with details and pictures. Well, she screamed it. She seems more excited than me.

We hang up with goodbyes, and I move downstairs with my phone and keys. As I make it to the last step, the doorbell rings. I stop, let out a breath, and walk to the door. Opening it immediately would make it seem like I waited for her- which I did, but I should still wait a second. The doorbell rings again making that idea fly right out the window. I open the door with a nervous smile on my face.

"Hi," I say, first.

"Hey," she replies, her eyes taking in my outfit, "you look good."

"Thank you," I smile, a real one this time, not a nervous one. My eyes rake over Scarlette, breathing in how she beautiful she looks. She's wearing black-leather pants, a green- spaghetti strapped tank top that's cut into a v-shape, and black boots that's matched with her usual angel earring. Her hair is down with a few strands falling in her face. More feminine than I'm used to seeing with her.

"Can I come in?"

"We're not going out?" I ask, but still move to the side.

Scarlette walks past me, her hand gently grazing mine. She heads to the kitchen area as I close the door.

"Oh, we are. Some things aren't ready yet," she soon answers me.

"Ah- wait so you didn't have to leave school," I follow after her.

Scarlette sits at the island table, her head placed in her hand and her eyes settled on me. Her gaze always makes my knees weak and causes serious butterflies in my stomach. My heart flutters when she so much calls my name.

"True, but I'm here now. Come sit down."

I slowly walk over and sit down in front of her. Scarlette then sits up and leans against the counter instead.

"Nolan, have you ever been with someone?"

"Been...with someone?"

"In a relationship."

"Oh," I look down, suddenly imagining myself being in a relationship with the girl seated in front of me. I smile to myself, wondering what that'd be like.

"You're smiling...have you?" she questions me further.

"No. You?"

"Yeah, but the relationship was shit. Freshman me was just eager that an asshole like Carter Reeds was into me," she admits. 

"We've been in the same school all along?" I express with a face full of shock. I've never noticed her until the day I fell in front the church.

"Yep. So, do you like anyone?" she brushes off the topic of her ex, and instead wiggles her eyebrows at me.

"Do you?" I question back. I'm still not sure if my feelings for Scarlette are those type of feelings.

"I do," she answers, her gaze piercing through me. I try not to smile because she could possibly be talking about someone else. I hope she's not talking about anyone else. "I don't think he got the the hints though."

"Ah...sun chips?" I say, lamely.

Scarlette checks her phone, swipes some, then stands up with no words being spoken. She walks over to me and grabs my wrist before pulling me out my seat. I make sure to grab my phone and keys, knowing we're leaving now. I hastily lock the door to my house with Scarlette's hand still wrapped around my wrist. I wish it were my hand she was holding.

"Where are we going?" I ask, stumbling after her.

"It's a secret," she looks back at me with a tiny smile tracing her features.

We get to her car that looks amazing- whoever she brought it to did really good. Her car looked more sleek and shiny with her windows slightly tinted. The  tires looked new also and like they were ready to race. Scarlette lets go of me to unlock the doors before gesturing me to get in. I slide into the passenger seat, the leather comforting me. It smells like her, and is her style.

"How do you like it?" Scarlette asks me, getting in after me. She puts her key in the ignition to start it up.

"I like it a lot. How did they fix it so fast? Jackson made it seem like there were only pieces left."

Scarlette beams while shrugging. She reverses out of my driveway and gets onto the main road. I stare at her side profile as she does so, wondering how she manages to look so good. Her dark, long eyelashes fluttering with every blink, her dimples showing with every smile she throws my way, her hair and skin glistening in the sun. It amazes me.

"Is staring at me gonna become a habit of yours?" she asks out of the blue.

I try to blubber out a response but my mouth doesn't seem to be correlating with my brain.

"I don't mind, sweetheart. Stare as long as you want," she teases, her gaze focused on the road ahead of us. I tease my lip a little with my teeth, contemplating an idea. One of Scarlette's hands is rested on the space between us while the other controls the wheel.

Just do it Nolan. Just do it and die about it later. Her hand is right there. Right there.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and look at her one good time before taking the risk. I move my hand under hers and interlock our fingers.

"What about this? Do you mind it?" I wonder.

We reach a red light and Scarlette takes that time to stare at our conjoined hands, then me. The light turns green making her go.

"It's cool," she dismisses with a cool tone, but I still see the wide smile that lines her face. I smile to myself and look out the window, music surfacing throughout the car, filling the silence. "Hey, what time is it?"

"Uhhh," I check my phone, then show her, knowing she can't look over right now. "It's 1:50pm."

"What I have planned starts around two. We have time," she says more to herself. I nod and swipe on my phone to get to the camera.

"Do you you mind if I take a couple pictures?" I ask her, even though she's made it clear a thousand times she doesn't care. She nods, giving me another all clear.

First, I take a picture of our hands together. It's something I'll send to Madaline, but also save for myself later on. Next, I take a picture of the inside of Scarlette's car to send to Jackson. He's probably at school, and needs to see the awesome transformation. I also want to brag on her behalf.

"No pictures of me? I thought you'd want at least one to look at before going to sleep at night," Scarlette's sweet voice sings through my ears.

Why does she always say these things, my face heats up so much.

"Maybe we can take a good picture together...when you're not driving of course," I negotiate.

"Deal."

It's silent again, until my stomach decides to embarrass me with its loud growling. I put my hand over it to try and quiet the sounds, but it's literally begging for food. I wish I had more chips.

"Hungry?" Scarlette pipes up, "I have snacks in the back if you can reach it."

I twist my body a little to see a bag in the back seat. Chip bags are poking out of it, making my stomach grumble again.

"You're a life saver. If you look back and all your snacks are gone, just know you gave me free reign."

Scarlette laughs, her hand tightening around mine.

"I got them for you anyway. I told you I'd be a little late," she tells me. My heart practically jumps out of my chest and lands right in her hands. I could kiss her right now.

I unclasp my hand from Scarlette's and reach back to get the bag. Dorito's are the first thing I see, so I grab them. Smiling at the sight of the snack, I open them with eager and place the bag in the middle of my lap. I use one hand to dish out the delicious chips and put my other one back in Scarlette's hand. She interlocks our fingers immediately.

"Chip?" she asks with both of her hands occupied. She could've took her hand away from mine, but I don't think she wants to. The thought makes me all giddy as I grab another chip and place it into her open mouth. "Thanks, precious."

"Welcome," I answer while fighting the urge to lick my fingers clean. If I wasn't with Scarlette I would've done it with no hesitation. Except I am with Scarlette. I just continue to eat the chips and feed Scarlette some more too.

"Kay, one more turn and then we're there," she tells me. I'm nervous yet excited to see what place had to be kept a surprise.

I look out the window, watching all the trees and buildings speed by. I look at the sky that has no clouds in sight- just the sun beaming down but doing little against the chilly weather. Scarlette makes the last turn and drives a minute or two more before pulling into a parking lot. I look up at the sign of the biggest building. Esrosa's Escape Room.

"An escape room?" I ask to make sure I read right.

"Yeah, Madaline said you never been to one. I thought you might like the experience," Scarlette says, hoping I'd like the idea. And I like it very much.

"You skipped school just to bring me here?" I breathe out, my eyes tracing over the building and it's sign. I turn towards Scarlette and unbuckle my seatbelt before throwing my arms around her. She lets out a surprised noise, but wraps her around me. She laughs as I don't let go any time soon, and pulls me back some.

"I take it you like it.

"I do! I mean, you shouldn't have skipped school because that's bad, but I'm really happy and grateful," I explain, wanting to hug her again.

Scarlette just smiles at me and says we should go in, so I can get the full experience. She lets me take the bag of chips and grabs my hand when we meet at the door.

"You ready to be amazed?" she asks, with her free hand on the door.

"Open sesame," I respond.

And then we go in.