The Middle We Found

1.11 October 31 2005

Even I had nothing to do in detention today. I was clicking away on my phone, talking to Jaime. Is it weird that two days of not talking to him was painful for me? Vic and I used to go two days not talking and everything would be fine. That was normal for us. We would still pick up on Tuesdays where we left off on Thursday and nothing would really be bad or different. Jaime wasn't that way; he was so fast-paced.

I saw the three students glaring over at me, but I had stopped caring about their dirty looks during the second detention I gave, weeks ago. I had to bite my lip to stifle a giggle as I read the most recent message from Hime. I think I may try to own enough Costcos that they would call me the 'King of Costco' Will you be my queen?

Jaime, King of Costco, and his girlfriend Ella, Queen of Costco. It has a ring to it. I responded quickly, trying not to laugh. I swear he made me a child

You're my girlfriend now? He sent back really quickly. Jaime always responds fast, but this was almost immediate.

I've been thinking about it. Yes, I am. I told him solidly.

Do I get a say? The problem with text messages is that I have no idea if hes laughing while saying this or if he's legitimately upset.

I bit my lip. Did he not want me as a girlfriend? Nope. Did you want a say?

Nah, I like your plan. Maybe you can be the Queen of Detentions, he taunted.

A dream come true for me, how did you know?!?! ;) I teased him right back.

I just want to know all your dreams. I want to make them all come true. His words floated right through my stomach and chest. I know the words are hollow, but I still like hearing them.

Ew, gross, Preciado. The cheese levels got too high, I think they're in my hair. I typed back. I didn't want him to know that he affected me this much.

Again, the reply was immediate: That's not possible; your hair is in a bun.

What? Wait- my hair was in a bun. I looked up. How could he know that, unless he's here? A winking face came into my screen a moment later.

I looked around the room, a big cheesing smile on my face. He was here. How could I not be smiling? Where was he? There were two students I didn't know looking up at me like I was crazy. Chris was just smirking.

"Did he send you a picture of his dick?" He asked, that stupid sneer across his face.

"Enough, Preciado." I said. It was strange calling Chris 'Preciado'. Their last name meant Jaime to me now.

"So it was his dick." He went back to the paper that he was doodling on the smug feeling radiating off of him.

My phone rang again Maybe we can talk to Chris today, together, and then you can come help me get ready for the party tonight?

You want to talk to him here? With me? At my job? Clearly that was his plan if he was here, close enough to know my hairstyle.

I just wanted an excuse to see you. I couldn't wait until tonight.

Chris was looking really hard at me, his eyes, even darker than Jaime's were luring me into some kind of trap. I know I would regret it, but I took his bate and asked: "Yes, Christopher?"

"Flowers and a dick pic in the same day. Did he fuck up or do something really great?" He looked pleased with himself, but I just sighed and rolled my eyes. The thing about Chris is that he doesn't actually care about anything other than watching me squirm.

"These conversations are not appropriate." I chastised him, not giving the pleasure of a verbal fumble.

The buzzer on the computer rang, shaking me from my conversation. "Detention is dismissed. Chris, please stay for a moment."