A childish grin stretched across my face, fueled by the absurd notion of an older boy – a mature one, a young man – being interested in me. It felt unreal, a cruel joke masquerading as possibility.
*B, you're overthinking,* a voice inside me cautioned. *He’ll probably never speak to you again.*
I left the bathroom and returned to the patio, where Tanner and his friends were discussing a party tonight. They’d been like older brothers to me since childhood. Brady, one of Tanner’s closest friends, grabbed my arm as I walked past.
“You and your friends should come too!” he boomed. “Dip your toes into the high school scene before your first day next week. What do you say, B? Want to come to a real party?”
“Uh, yeah, sure,” I agreed, a little too quickly. “I’ll call the girls and see if they can come.”
“Awesome! Get upstairs and get ready! Wear something…presentable.” He grinned, nudging me towards the house.
He felt the need to dictate my wardrobe. Usually, I favored anything practical and unadorned – sporty, tomboyish. Something form-fitting or feminine felt foreign. I doubted that would cut it tonight.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and messaged the girls, relaying the plans. I placed it on the bathroom counter, then slipped out of my swimsuit and stepped into the shower.
As I dried off, I checked my phone. They were in. *This is it,* I thought, a nervous flutter in my chest. *We’re going to a real party.*