Minutes pass before my phone goes off again.
Unknown Number: I was in the kitchen just now and you didn’t say hi. Obviously you didn’t see me so I’ll let it slide this once.
I grin. How did Will get my number?
Kass: I never say hi to you. You never cared before.
Unknown Number: Yeah, but I took you to my secret spot. We’re friends now.
Kass: You mean your shagging spot.
Unknown Number: Same thing.
Kass: Fine. Hi Willy Wonka.
Unknown Number: Don’t call me that, control freak.
Kass: That nickname is never going to go away, is it?
Unknown Number: Are you going to stop wanting to control everything?
Kass: No.
Unknown Number: Then it’s staying
I add his number to my contacts under Willy Wonka.
Kass: Are u still at my house?
Willy Wonka: Yep, waiting for your cousin. We have this thing tonight.
A thing? Probably some street fighting bullshit. I still can’t believe how quickly my cousin got herself involved in my brother’s mess. That’s got to take some serious skills. She hasn’t even been here a month yet.
Kass: What thing?
Willy Wonka: Would you believe me if I said fighting for world peace?
Kass: Nope.
Willy Wonka: Didn’t think so.
Kass: Does that “thing” have anything to do with Haze by any chance?
Ten minutes go by.
Willy Wonka: Maybe
Of course.
Kass: Just watch out for her please. I know Haze’s type. Winter is not prepared for that kind of player.
Willy Wonka: Believe it or not, I think he might actually kind of like her.
Kass: Good one.
Willy Wonka: I’m serious
Kass: Are you crazy? Because he helped her at the party doesn’t mean shit.
Willy Wonka: I’m just saying.
I’m not sure how to reply to that, so I don’t, letting the conversation die. I used to carry text conversations on my back all the time with Blake. I’d kill myself trying to rekindle our boring exchanges and come up with new topics, only to get short, one-word replies every time. I swore I’d never bend over backward like this again. Unless Will makes an eff—
Ding!
Willy Wonka: How’s the hangover?
Ah. Shit. Stop smiling.
Kass: I’m still alive, aren’t I?
Willy Wonka: I’m always here if you need a glass of water or… anything else.
Wait…
Kass: Are you hitting on me, Martins?
He takes a few minutes to reply.
I hate that I’m growing restless.
Willy Wonka: Do you want me to be hitting on you?
Do I?
Kass: Why are you texting me?
Willy Wonka: I felt something last night. A connection. I can’t explain it. All I know is I’d like to get to know you better.
A bit flustered, I read his text on repeat. There’s no way he means that. He’s fucking with me.
Kass: Translation: you’re bored waiting for Winter and need a distraction.
I hold my breath when three dots bob up on my screen. Two minutes go by. Is he writing me a novel? The dots disappear, then reappear, until finally…
Willy Wonka: Busted.
I knew it.
Another message comes through right away.
Willy Wonka: You’re also not the worst person to talk to.
Kass: Gee, thanks
Willy Wonka: My pleasure.
Kass: Still didn’t answer my question
Willy Wonka: What do you want me to say? I’m texting you because I want to. Or do I need a permit, officer?
Kass: That’ll be $300
Willy Wonka: Ha. Ha.
Kass: Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other things to do than entertain you
Willy Wonka: Like what?
Kass: Like make an important call
Willy Wonka: Ooh, are you giving golden boy a chance?
I know he’s referring to Luke.
Kass: Not quite.
Willy Wonka: Poor fella. Just put him out of his misery and go on a date with the kid already.
Kass: Why do you care if I date him or not?
Willy Wonka: I don’t. I’m just saying you could use the experience.
I frown.
Kass: And what would you know about my experience?
Willy Wonka: Blake was your first, wasn’t he? And, last I heard, you didn’t have anyone else after him. Just putting two and two together.
Kass: My experience is none of your business.
Willy Wonka: Well, well. A control freak who has no idea what to do in the bedroom. Who would’ve thought?
My cheeks blaze. Is that really what he thinks about me? That I’m awful in bed?
Kass: And that’s my cue to stop texting you
His reply is instant.
Willy Wonka: Come onnn
I head inside my bathroom, rest my phone on the counter, and stretch my arm out to start the shower. I strip off my clothes, but my phone pings again.
Willy Wonka: I’m sorry:( come back
Against all expectations, I smile.
Kass: Bye Willy
I switch my phone to silent and step under the scorching water, still with this stupid, unwanted grin plastered to my face. This is the first time Will’s ever texted me.
And call me crazy, but…
I have a feeling it won’t be the last.
Kassidy
Willy Wonka: Do you think honeybees know they’re going to die before they sting you? Like do they have a little bee funeral and say goodbye to their family before they bite the fuck out of you?
Lying in bed with my eyes open a crack, I scoff at the text that pulled me out of slumber and double-check the sender. Will. He’s still texting me?