“You can’t just take a bus when you’re not even eighteen. You need an adult to be with you and how would your aunt be okay to let you be away for the weekend,” Stephanie commented when I told her the idea.

It was past ten o’clock and we were video calling for ten minutes. I had a lot of homework to finish and Stephanie was at her cheer team practice until six. I watched her apply lotion on her arm and I remember the way I asked her out two years ago. How we had our first kiss a week later at my football game and the Christmas gift exchange we’ve had. I watched as she get ready for bed and she moved to lie down and then watched me.

“I’ve missed you,” She said softly and yawned. “I don’t like us fighting.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about not messaging back and everything else. It’s been tough,” I said and inhaled sharply as I sat up in bed. “I’ve been lucky I’ve made a friend here.”
Stephanie watched me through her screen before nodding and giving a warm smile, “I’m glad you made a friend. You lucky that I’m not a jealous girlfriend or I’ll be asking if any girls have been trying to talk to you.”
I raised an eyebrow and decided not to tell her about the group of girls who approached me on the first day. “They only talk to me 'cause I’m the new kid.”

“But you made a friend so it seems like things are fine,” She said and continued to watch me before smiling. “You missed out on our annual first-day of school breakfast. Issac came with me and some of the girls from the dance team. They all miss you.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond and remembered our small tradition we had of the beginning of the school year. “I almost forgot about that. You were able to get your favorite chocolate chip pancakes?”

”Of course,” She said, smiling while running her finger through her hair. “I feel good about this year. Being on the dance team, yearbook committee and they’re offering us a few college tours later on. I’m over high school. I want to jump straight to college.”

“Lucky you. I’m still trying to get through the day before looking forward to the rest of the year,” I said and looked away from the screen.

“I know. I didn’t mean anything by it,” She frowned and saw my expression. “I could only wish you were here and be how it was.”

I felt a knot in my throat and cleared my throat trying to forget this feeling. “Same. But it is how it is. I might try out for football at my school… But my friend doesn’t like the idea.”

“Oh, football again? You were always my favorite player,” She flirted.

“I’m not too sure if I was the best but at least someone saw me good,” I blushed at her words.

“Come on, you have done good. I loved all your games,” She said then looked at the time before frowning. “It’s getting late. I have to go to sleep. They want us to do a rally during lunch so some of the girls want to meet in the morning to practice.”

”Alright then. I’ll figure out how to come see you if taking a bus doesn’t work out,” I said and she yawned, giving me the sign that our conversation was over. “Have a good night. Love you Steph.”

”I love you too,” She smiled and blew me a kiss before saying good night then hung up.

I looked at the blank screen on my phone and laid back again hoping I could fall asleep. Our conversation didn’t last long and it seemed like things were between us compared to a few days ago. I lay there feeling my mood shifting into something and I don’t think sleeping was going to happen any time soon. I tried to clear my mind and reached for the small bottle to grab a gummy of melontionan that my aunt bought for me. It’ll be my first time trying it and hoped it would work.