Micaela

“Like life, what gives a story its meaning is the fact that it ends. Our stories have lives of their own—and its up to us to make them mean something.”
― Francesca Zappia, Eliza and Her Monsters

“Zach: Are you close with your brother? He’s partially to blame for the wrong number thing, isn’t he?

* * *

Me: Kind of. Yeah, we’re close. My mom worked at the hospital so it was usually just us two fending for ourselves.

* * *

Me: Okay, so I shouldn’t say fending for ourselves. That makes me sound like a dick and unappreciative of all my mom did. We just spent many nights just the two of us because my mom was a hardworking single lady and she wasn’t searching for a man to put a ring on it because she. Is. Fierce.

* * *

Zach: I bet your mom is the shit.

* * *

Me: She really is. You should meet her sometime.

* * *

Me: Oh, awkward…I’m talking about meeting the family and we’re not even officially a couple.

* * *

Zach: We’re not?

* * *

Me: We are?

My phone lights up with a call from Zach.

“Are you saying we aren’t dating?” he says before I can say anything.

“We are…”

“Are you saying you’re wanting to see other people?”

“No…”

“So then we’re a couple.”

I’m quiet, unsure what to say. I’m so scared to label this, which is stupid, I know.

“Delia?”

“Yes, Zach?”

“Do you not want to be?”

I take a deep breath and push out the answer I know is right, even though my head is saying otherwise. “No. I want to be a couple.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m just…scared. I know I shouldn’t put that all on you, but you’re kind of the reason I’m scared. I like you, Zach—a lot—but what if this doesn’t work out? What if we jump in too soon?”

He sighs. “Remember when we were talking about our exes? About the lack of fireworks?”

“Yeah.”

“I swear to god, someone is going to swoop in and take my man card for this shit, but I felt them with you. When we first kissed, I knew right then you were worth jumping in with both feet and taking a risk.”

I don’t let myself overthink his words, wanting to keep my head level and clear.

“What if I’m not worth the risk?”

“We’ll never know if we don’t take it.”

“Say you’re a couple already, Dalilah!” Robbie’s voice comes loud through the speaker. “He paused the movie during an epic scene!”

“How many times have I told you that her name is Delia. Deal-ya. Get it?”

“You talk about me with Robbie?” I ask.

“Sometimes.”

“Say yes! He looks like someone kicked his goat!”

“Shut the fuck up, Robbie!”

I laugh. “If I say yes, will he stop shouting?”

“YES!” Robbie shouts again.

“I’ll take the risk, Zach, but you better be worth it.”

“You’ve seen my Harry Potter underwear—you know I’m worth it.” Then he whispers, “Wink.”
― Teagan Hunter, Let's Get Textual

“Me: Cake, brownies, ice cream? GO!
Zach: Yes.
Me: NO! Pick one! HURRY
Me: I’m at the store getting ready to check out and I NEED TO KNOW. I can’t decide. Help a cute, hangry girl out, would ya.
Zach: How about…a brownie cake with ice cream.
Me: I think I just came.
Zach: I am known for my skills.”
― Teagan Hunter, Let's Get Textual

“Me: Proposal?

* * *

Me: Let’s watch Hemlock Grove together. Via text.

* * *

Me: Also, I think it’s weird you’re always texting me, BUT, I AM texting back, so I guess that makes me weird too. You’re kind of…fun.

* * *

Zach: Only kind of?

* * *

Me: *rolls eyes* Way to ruin the moment.

* * *

Zach: *I* ruined the moment? You’re the one who lied.

* * *

Me: Point out my lie.

* * *

Zach: KIND OF. Like we both don’t know how remarkable I am.

* * *

Me: You’re very full of yourself.

* * *

Zach: Or confident. Take your pick.

* * *

Me: Why am I still talking to you?

* * *

Zach: Because we’re going to binge Hemlock Grove together?

* * *

Me: Give me thirty and we’re on.

* * *

Me: WAIT. What are you ordering to eat? Let’s be real losers and eat the same thing.

* * *

Zach: *groans* Do we HAVE to?

* * *

Zach: I’m ordering Chinese.

* * *

Me: Nah. Let’s get wings.

* * *

Zach: Fine. Wings it is.

* * *

Me: *whispers* What kind are you getting?

* * *

Zach: WE ARE NOT GETTING THE SAME FLAVOR. We aren’t THAT pathetic.

* * *

Me: Fine, but just so you know, I’m pouting.”
― Teagan Hunter, Let's Get Textual