Ah, I see. Good to know.

Thirty minutes later, Blake sends a follow-up.

So…?

So…?

You never answered me.

About what?

Now who’s being glib?

About, you know, the date.

Ah, that.

Is that a no?

No, not a no.

So it’s a yes?

I mean…sure.

Sure as in you are excited to go, or sure as in you are begrudgingly agreeing to it?

Does it matter?

Yeah, Andre, it kinda does matter?

Then it’s the former.

Are you sure?

Yes, I’m sure.

That doesn’t sound convincing at all.

What are you looking for, then?

I don’t know but something that means it DOESN’T seem like a chore.

It’s not.

Are you sure?

I’m sure.

All right.

All right.

Two days later, I get another message from Blake. And for the first time since we started texting, I get excited when I see his name pop up.

Do you like animals?

Like, to eat?

No, idiot. To see. Like the zoo.

Oh, yeah sure. I do.

Again with the lack of enthusiasm. Let me ask again: Would you like to go to the zoo with me?

Sure, that sounds like fun.

I swear to God, I’m going to get an ounce of excitement out of you. Saturday good?

Sounds good.

If you could see me right now, I’d be rolling my eyes.

I roll my eyes at that text and think nothing of it, until the next day, when Blake sends me two photos comparing outfits. The caption: Which one do you like better?

I hesitate before answering, then double-tap the first one so a heart emoji appears. He replies with a thumbs-up, and in that moment, it all hits me.

I’m actually going on a date with Blake McIntyre.

Quickly, I text the one person I can trust: Isobel.

This is a bad idea.

Okay, please explain to me what is bad about going on a date with a hot guy?

A hot white guy with far too much money and power who lives in his own little world?

I think you’re projecting or whatever onto him.

You haven’t met him!

No, I haven’t, but he seems fine—remember, I looked him up online.

And?

And what?

What’s your analysis?

I told you—he’s fine. He seems…dare I say it…normal? But more importantly, where is he taking you?

The zoo.

Okay, that’s adorable.

Don’t you start! You’re supposed to be on my side!

And I am!

HOW?

When most kids are dealing with first crushes and heartbreaks, you’ve been dealing with cancer and your grades. You didn’t get those experiences like the rest of us did. Now you have a chance and no excuse. Blake is a nice person to have those experiences with. And if worse comes to worse, I’ll just punch him in the face.