11 Paper Hearts by Kelsey Hartwell

Author:Kelsey Hartwell [Hartwell, Kelsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2021-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The rest of the week my thoughts shift from wondering what the paper heart means, to anxiously thinking about what my date on Friday with Pete will be like. I hope there will be butterflies to replace the current feeling in my stomach. But I can’t help thinking about what Andy asked me…do I want my admirer to be Pete?

Finally, it’s Friday night. I change into a red shirt that ties at the waist, dark-washed skinny jeans, and black booties. Normally, Ashley and I have completely opposite styles but she has this bomber jacket that has way more of a cool date vibe than any of my peacoats, so I sneak into her room to borrow it.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’ve hung out with Pete before and everything, but there’s something about going on an actual date with him that feels more mature somehow. It’s ironic how doing adult things sometimes can have a way of making you feel like a complete baby.

But I know deep down I’m anxious for other reasons. I’m expecting that it’ll give me some clarity once and for all if Pete’s my admirer. In my mind, all signs point to Pete. But like Andy pointed out, my heart still doesn’t know what it wants, so I’m also hoping this date changes that.

Pete arrives a few minutes late, which I’m actually grateful for despite how punctual I normally am. I had finished getting ready about a half hour ago out of nerves and am doing last-minute touch-ups to my makeup when the doorbell rings. I bolt out of bed and throw Ashley’s bomber jacket on, suddenly hoping I don’t run into her. I didn’t exactly ask to borrow it.

As I make my way downstairs, my heart stops. Dad is at the bottom of the stairs talking to someone. My first thought is Ashley, but then I see the front door is already open. Pete’s inside.

Oh no.

I had told my dad I was going to the Hudson Valley Orchard but I didn’t exactly tell him it was for a date. Or that it was with Pete. Not because it was going to be an issue. My dad loves Pete. Last year when we started hanging out, he called him a standup guy from a great family. In movies dads are typically seen grilling their daughters’ boyfriends—threatening to kill them if they hurt them. That would never be my dad. He’s way too cool for that.

As I begin walking down the stairs, I hear the two of them laughing about God knows what.

“Hey, Ella,” my dad says when he sees me. “Pete was just telling me there was going to be fried dough at the orchard. I was telling him about your first fried dough experience.”

The time I put so much powder on mine I walked around with a white beard the entire day, with pictures to prove it.

“If you’re going to tell embarrassing stories, at least let me be in the room,” I say, forcing a smile.

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