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“Sure Sounds good When were you thinking?” I tried to sound blasé Not likein my chest

“Does tonight work for you?” He sounded as if he were out of breath Like he couldn’t get the words out fast enough

Tonight?

Was that enough time to emotionally prepare?

“Okay Sounds good I get out of here around 5:30”

“How about I pick you up at seven? Or would you rather meet me somewhere?”

This didn’t really sound like a date “Meet you somewhere?”

“No, that’s stupid I just thought—never mind I’ll pick you up Seven o’clock” Why did he sound so frazzled?

“Seven sounds perfect I’ll see you then”

“Great Thanks, Whitney”

I was left wondering what that was all about and whetheruntil seven to find out

I agonized over what to wear

“You’re stressingme pull clothes out of my drawers and throw them on the bed

“Nothing,” I lied, and when Mom narrowed her eyes, naturally, I caved No one can keep anything fro deal”

“If it wasn’t a big deal, you wouldn’t be trashing your roo you out? The president?” She lifted a yellow shirt “This is nice Why don’t you wear this?”

I took the lacy top anda schoolteacher would wear” I added it to the ‘no way in hell’ pile

“And schoolteacher is not the look you’re going for Gotcha” Moh the outfits inyou to dinner, I can try to find so suitable”