Just as it comes into view, my phone goes off. I pull it out and quickly realize I haven’t texted Sophia once. Shit. I wince as I check the text, expecting her to be livid and feeling awful about making her worry. Some first impression, Charlie.
Sophia: Everything ok, honey?
Me: Yes, sorry! I got caught up in the book and music stores.
Sophia: that’s ok, glad you’re having fun!
I let out a huge sigh of relief and walk the last few feet up to the library. It’s twice the size of the one back home, and quite a bit older. Two stone lion statues guard the doors and the architecture on the building itself doesn’t match the simple, modern bricks of the shopping district.
Not wanting to be a nerd and ogle the building, I walk in the revolving door and take a quick look around. It has that typical comforting library smell of books and coffee. It’s more open and airy than the old dusty one I’m used to, which is funny given the age of the place.
There are a few lines of computers and a printer on one wall, and in the middle of the room a staircase leads to a second floor loft. The second floor looks like it’s full of tables and chairs and a small coffee table. It would work perfectly for homework and no one was up there, so hopefully that means it’s usually empty.
An older man is working behind the desk. He gives me a nice greeting and I smile in return. A stack of library card forms are sitting in front of him, so I grab one and fill it out before turning it in to him. He checks it over and fills out a library card for me without questions, which I appreciate. It’s a simple card that just has my name and address printed on it. After he hands it to me, I smile again and sign ‘thank you’ to him. Instead of the usual pitying looks I get, his eyes crinkle at the corners and he smiles back.
Since I don’t actually have any homework, I decide to make my way back home, my hands starting to ache from lugging the shopping bags around. I’m still early enough that I can put my bags down and relax a bit before we leave again. In fact, I may have to change clothes and clean up a bit if the restaurant is nicer. Sophia doesn’t really seem like the burger and fries type of person.
It only takes me fifteen minutes to make my way back to Sophia’s house and I realize how lucky I am. That’ll make my life ten times easier, for sure.
When I walk inside, I don’t see her anywhere, so I head for my room. After walking for hours my feet ache, so I kick off my shoes and flop on the soft bed, nearly groaning at how good it feels.
Me: Should I dress up for dinner? I’m back btw.
Sophia: not necessary. It’s just a mall restaurant.
Sophia: Oh! Your clothes were delivered, check your closet!
At the last text, I hurry over to my closet and pull it open. Stacks of boxes are resting against the wall. Before I can start going through them, my phone dings again.
Abby: Hey! It was nice meeting you today. I’m sorry if I was a bit too enthusiastic, my friends always tell me to calm down. It’s just how I am.
My chest warms at the text, and part of me is shocked she even bothered. But I’m really glad she did. Sitting back on the bed, I text her back quickly.
Me: No worries. I appreciate you talking to me.
Abby: Oh, good! And of course, I couldn’t resist. You looked super peaceful reading, but I was too curious to resist. Plus, who wouldn’t want to talk to the cute new girl?
Now my cheeks are on fire. She really thinks I’m cute?! It’s been so damn long since I’ve even thought about dating or girls or guys, living in my own little world.
Abby: Shit… too soon, too strong? The guys are always telling me I need to use a filter, but I don’t really have one. If I got the wrong vibe, ignore me.
I apparently hesitated too long and I let out a soft chuckle, typing back before I freaked her out more.
Me: You read me right
Panic swelled in my chest. This is the first time I’ve ever admitted any feelings out loud about being bisexual and here I was telling a stranger.
Abby: Good to know
Abby: I have to go, my friend Adam is almost here. But I’ll text you soon, Sweets.
Butterflies practically exploded from their cage and swarmed in my stomach as I read that. My feelings are such a jumble I can’t even try to decipher them. After a few minutes of staring dazed at the ceiling, I force myself to get up before Sophia thinks I’ve lost it.
The boxes in my closet are practically taunting me, so I start to drag them out and rip them open so I can see everything. The mess on the bed makes me wince, paper and cardboard everywhere and clothes strewn around. three years in the foster system taught me that you keep your room tidy and don’t leave anything out, so I start to hang the clothes up and gather the trash into one of the larger boxes.
Once it’s clean I’m able to sort through what I bought. Eyeing my favorite of the new shirts, I set the deep purple shirt aside for my first day of school. Thankfully the school doesn’t have uniforms like my old one.
For tonight I take out a dark teal shirt, skinny jeans, and my new black converse, and change into them. I’ll save my leather jacket for later when the weather cools down.