Meet. Cute. Awkward. by Zahra Jons

Author:Zahra Jons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction: LGBTQ ; Fiction: short stories
Publisher: DreamPunk Press
Published: 2023-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Katharine Bost

“How do you know she isn’t a serial killer?” Shawn’s tinny voice asks. He insists on using speaker mode for all conversations. At least he’s home instead of the library this time.

“For the tenth time, she’s in my art class.” It’s spoken through clenched teeth because Florida decided to be cold this week.

“It’s the artists you have to watch out for, Bailey.” When he’s not studying sports film to help our university’s athletes not suck, he’s studying Criminal Minds and believes himself to be an Unsub Expert.

He’s really just a nerd who couldn’t find a murderer if they… murdered him.

“Really.” It’s to humor him because he loves talking about this. Also I want to look busy because our city is sketchy at night—lots of drunken frat bros and other hoodlums—and this section is no exception. In addition to the dark haze glowing about, it’s drizzling.

The cold mist chills my skin and frizzes my hair—a terrible combination. I hope the sketchpad in my backpack doesn’t get too wet. I burrow more into my coat and listen to him drone on about why Reagan is going to harvest my organs.

“It’s because she’ll want you to stay with her forever,” he concludes. “Somewhat romantic, but mostly twisted. We can’t understand the way they think, but isn’t it interesting?”

Aside from my mom, my brother is the most melodramatic person I’ve ever met. He needs to stop watching documentaries and start socializing with actual people.

“Reagan is not going to harvest my organs,” I say as I cross the street to her apartment complex. A modern building, with sharp angles and bright colors. I adjust my backpack strap so it doesn’t cut into my shoulder.

“She might, and then Mom would be pissed,” he says. “She’s already pissed you’re not home yet.”

“I need to finish this project.”

It wasn’t my idea to wait until the last minute, but Reagan is hard to pin down. Er. Not like—pin down, but—never mind.

She’s busy. And I know what you’re thinking: why didn’t I partner with someone not quite the social butterfly? The answer is that Reagan is without a doubt… the hottest person I have ever seen.

Yes. I am shallow. Not openly, but it’s there.

She’s also the most talented person in our art class, and I wanted to see what we could create together. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

“Right,” Shawn says. “Mom wants you to call her before you leave tomorrow. And to let her know if you’re bringing a plus-one to Thanksgiving.”

“Are you her messenger?” I break my own cardinal rule and put him on speaker, and text Reagan and let her know I’m at the building’s gate.

“I wouldn’t have to be her messenger if you would call her,” he says. “You know she means well.”

“Yeah, okay.” My pulse quickens when my phone notifies me that Reagan has seen my text. “She could be less passive-aggressive with her meaning well.”

“That will never happen,” Shawn says, ever the optimist. A piercing crackle comes

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