He did not try to play it cool or make me sweat it out. Instead, he let out a loud and resounding “YES!”

But if I can’t turn back time, then I wish I could fast-forward it to when I get to see Wes in person today. Maybe we’ll sit a few steps closer to each other. I can bring out the hand sanitizer and we can interlace our fingers and bask in the new glow of our relationship.

I get another text from Wes and wait for my moms to get up from the table before I check it.

Send me a pic, he says. I instantly blush.

After I help clear the table, I go to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth and put a little makeup on for Zoom school. I lift up my phone and point it at myself to take a selfie for Wes, but the lighting isn’t great in here, and I’m also unsure if he’s asking for one with or without my top on. I’m almost certain it’s the former. Wes is too much of a gentleman to ask to see me naked right out of the gate. If we didn’t have to keep our distance, I suspect he’d still be the type to ask if it was okay to kiss me instead of throwing caution to the wind by just doing it.

I never thought that my first actual relationship would happen under such unique and unusual circumstances. But maybe the lockdown will force us to get creative. And then, hopefully, it’ll be so much hotter when we finally do get to make out. I scroll through my photo gallery, but I don’t like any of the pictures I’ve snapped of myself. Unlike most girls my age, I haven’t perfected the art of the selfie. My Instagram account is filled with paintings and self-portraits, but I made it a rule not to post any actual photos of myself.

Before I can attempt another picture, my phone buzzes, and I assume it’s another sweet nothing from Wes, but instead I find a text from Parisa:

Ugh. That email from Principal Jackson.

No. I don’t want to check my inbox. I just want to be happy for five more minutes. I look at my phone, smile as I manage to snap an acceptable photo, and send it to my boyfriend.

From: Gabriela Gonzales ([email protected])

To: Parisa Naficy ([email protected])

Date: Jan 19, 2023

Subject: FW: Prom & Graduation Update

Sigh. I know how much prom meant to you. I’m sorry, P. So much for senior year. I miss you, I hate this.

Forwarded message

From: Principal Jackson ([email protected])

To: Principal Jackson ([email protected])

Date: Jan 19, 2023

Subject: Prom & Graduation Update

Dear Winchester Seniors,