“I don’t think I can do this.” I said. My stomach beginning to tie in knots at the mere thought of it.

“Carter, You’ve put it off for long enough. Just ask her already.”

The bus hit a bump, adding to my already queasy morning. I looked out the window to distract myself. We just passed the movie theater. The big billboard next to it read: Movie premier of Vacancy, tonight at 8.

I shifted my gaze back to Tommy. “Isn’t it weird how they're premiering Vacancy in theaters and streaming services day one?”

Tommy furrowed his brow. “I think it’s even on cable, whoever watches that anymore. I guess they want it to be as accessible as possible.”

I went back to staring out the window as the bus pulled up to our school. The doors squeaked open as kids started to stand, preparing to disembark. My legs felt like Jello. I counted the ten steps to the front of the bus. Two stairs down to the pavement. Fifty-four steps to the main entrance, I keep track as we walk. “What if she says no?”

“Then she says no, and we’ll go to together as planned.”

“You’re only cool about this because it’s not you who’s going to get rejected. I remember how it was when you were crushing on Lisa.”

Tommy cracked a smile. “Damn right. You’ll do fine thought; I’ve … heard things.

“What things, have you been holding out on me?”

thirteen steps to the front entrance.

Tommy lowered his voice. Word around school is someone’s been crushing on you.

“And you're just mentioning this now?”

“I didn’t want to say anything, you know how rumors are.

Past the front doors. eighteen steps to the locker. I check my watch. Bell rings in five minutes.

“Somehow the fact that she might like me makes it worse.”

Tommy put his arm around my shoulder. “I’d date you if we weren’t my best friends, and if I were into guys, so it looks like you’ll have to make do with her.

I pushed him off me. “that’s a great thought.”

“Tommy grinned. “You’re telling me if we were gay you wouldn’t want all this?” He gestured at himself arrogantly.

I rolled my eyes at him, turning to unlock my locker. Sitting on the front shelf is a small, pink paper heart somebody shoved through the grate. Maybe it’s a sign. I shut the door, noticing the girl a few lockers down staring at me. She gave me a flustered smile before turning away; she does that a lot.

“See you at lunch,” I say to Tommy.

“GL.”

fifty-six steps to the classroom.

The day just kind of passed around me in a blur. Waiting for the moment was the hardest part of all. It’s like I had one foot out of reality. I wasn’t fully present until—the bell rang. Suddenly I was acutely aware of everything. My vision became sharp and in-focus. Every sound seemed louder than normal.

My legs felt like lead. The groups of kids heading to the cafeteria felt like a funeral procession waiting on my imminent demise. As luck would have it, I spotted her with a tray of food, heading to sit down. I’ve gotta intercept her before she reaches the table, or I’ll have to ask her in front of her friends.

I dodge kids, like Neo as I make my way toward her. “Sara.”

She turns to look at me—nearly freezing me in my tracks. “Yes?”

Before I could stop myself I said the lamest thing ever, “pizza again? It tastes like they got it from an MRE.

She looked puzzled “What’s an MRE?”

“Nevermind,” I muttered. Best to get it over with—“I was wondering if you’d like to that new movie with me tonight.”

“Oh–yeah, I’m going with a few friends, you’re welcome to tag along.”

“I was thinking—“

“Sara, come check this out. This TikTok is hilarious.” A girl a few tables away shouted.

“We’re meeting at nine-thirty, see you there.”

Just like that she was gone. I was left frozen in place, not able to comprehend exactly what had just happened. I felt an arm around my shoulder steering me toward a table—it was Tommy.

He sat me down. “Judging by the look on your face, it didn’t go so great.”

“She said I could come, but she’s going with friends.”

“Well, looks like we get to go together after all.”

The rest of the day passed in a defeated haze. I didn’t really come to my senses until we arrived at the movie theater. Tommy and I met Sara and her friends at the entrance.

We all went in together. This was not how I pictured the night going at all. Sara talked to her friends the whole time. At least I know she’s not interested in me. I tried to enjoy the movie without thinking about it.

When the credits started to roll, Tommy and I got up to beat the rush out of the theatre, but only a few other kids besides Sara and her friends got up. Most of the people stayed in their seats—odd.

The Theater lobby was completely empty as we made our way outside. The parking lot was full of cars, but nobody seemed to be leaving. We said our goodbye’s to Sara and her friends. Tommy and I hopped on our bikes.

“It was kind of weird, wasn’t? I didn’t really understand the story,” I remarked.

“I don’t think It lived up to the hype. It must have had a lot of money behind it to get as much attention as it did.”

The night was cool and quiet. I only saw one car driving as we made our way back. Tommy and I parted ways at the usual spot.

It was only nine-thirty, but there was nobody to be seen outside—nobody else was driving.

I rode my bike up to the garage, stowing it inside. Thirty-nine steps to the back door. Thirty-four. The rear house light isn’t on—Mom always leaves it on when I’m out after dark. Twenty-six. The curtains are still open, and the lights are all off. Fourteen. Dad left his tool bag outside—he never does that after dark. Five. One. I opened the door, crossing the threshold.