Chapter 1: Fall Down the Rabbit Hole
Caitlin caressed Benj's cheek, gazing at him, drinking in his every feature. "You have the most amazing eyes."
"So do you. You're pretty amazing, Cait."
A blush crept across her face. "Even in my lemon hat?"
"Even in your lemon hat." Leaning across the Big Squeeze's counter from the stool he'd perched on, he pressed his lips against hers.
Of all her boyfriends, she had missed Benj the most, regarding him as the kindest and the cutest and the best kisser. Before May, she never would have guessed a final-exam cramming session would lead to her making out with him, rekindling their spark (and actually passing said final).
Parting from his lips, she sighed. "I totally missed this."
"I did too. So, are we still on for that movie at five?"
"Of course, Benji."
"See you later, Caitlin." He left her with a peck on the cheek.
Nikki cringed, making a disapproving noise.
Turning her attention to Nikki, Caitlin asked, "What's the matter?"
"Overtly flirting much?"
"We're just showing each other how much we care." Giggling, she said, "Besides, we're not the only ones who flirt a lot."
Nikki laughed. "You're kidding, right?"
Wyatt stopped strumming his guitar. "Well, she's not wrong."
The others, save for Jonesy, nodded in agreement.
She raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are you implying, Hendrix?"
He dared to let the words fall from his lips, knowing the power Nikki possessed. "You and Jonesy have been flirting a lot lately, that's all." He winced, preparing for her soda can to bounce off his head.
She crossed her arms instead.
"That's not a bad thing, Nikki. You and Jonesy are just super close," Jen offered.
Caitlin rested her elbows on the Lemon's counter. "Plus, you two have got that crazy romantic chemistry I'd kill for."
"You've got that right." Jonesy nudged Nikki's side. "Right, babe?"
She glimpsed at him, allowing a small smile. "Yeah, we do."
But did chemistry equate to infatuation or something greater? Being the top student in her chemistry class couldn't supply her with the answer. There were so many variables to consider before even deciding how she felt.
She owed Jen a long-overdue girl talk about this.
Grabbing her phone out her pocket minutes later, she texted:
Mind if we talk l8r?
Jen glanced at her screen then at Nikki.
I don't mind. What's wrong?
Biting the inside of her lip, she replied:
Nothing… Something… Too much… Tell u l8r, k?
A pause.
K, just drop by TPB.
She sighed.
Thx!
"So," Jonesy started, pulling everyone's attention, "guess who's getting a new neighbor?"
"I am?"
His eyes narrowed. "No, Jude, we are."
He chuckled. "Well, you said guess who. Thought it was worth a shot."
"I know. Anyways, some new family bought the Clarks' home."
"What happened? Robbie and Diego finally drove them to insanity?" Nikki asked with a grin.
"Apparently the Clarks have more family in Montreal, but"—Jen giggled—"those two certainly were a factor. But, anyways, we met the family that bought the home. Apparently they have a daughter our age; she's supposed to attend our school this fall."
"Saw a couple pictures of her, too. Not too bad in the looks department."
Nikki's side-eyed him.
"Relax. She's got nothing on you, babe."
Her expression softened as she shrugged. "Eh, I'll take that."
Jen checked the time on the food court's clock and shuffled to her feet. "See you guys later. The Penalty Box needs me."
"Ugh, same. I'm being summoned by Khaki Hell," said Nikki. "Later."
The gang bid them goodbye before resuming their activities, namely Caitlin, who awaited her first customer of the day. Time raced by, yet no one arrived.
She rested her elbows on the counter, asking herself, "It's June; shouldn't lemonade be in-demand by now?"
The food court was a jungle in this girl's eyes. Then again, the same applied to the rest of the mall… and all of Toronto. At a glance, it was sensory overload—so many restaurants, fast-food joints, and other oddities to choose from, even though all she wanted was a drink.
She also wanted to be at home, but her mother wouldn't allow that.
"Here's a hundred dollars," her mother had said, placing five crisp and strangely colored twenty-dollar bills in her daughter's palm. "Go to the Galleria and have fun—explore my old stomping grounds. You know, I used to love that place when I was your age. I know you'll love it too."
She could see why her mother loved it so much. It was ginormous. Towson Town Center paled in comparison.
She shoved her hands in her pockets, gripping the money and making up her mind. She'd get a drink, get an outfit for that party she was randomly invited to, and make her exit.
Wandering around in search of something sweet, she stopped in her tracks.
Okay, am I seeing things?
She squinted ahead at a giant lemon.
Nope, it's totally real.
Figuring it would have the lemonade she now craved, she fumbled towards it—weaving through tables and hoping she wouldn't collide with any chairs along the way.
Caitlin lifted her head in surprise; a customer arrived at last.
As much as she loved recalling the friendly faces she saw on a daily basis, Caitlin couldn't remember seeing this customer before. So she studied her, not unlike the way she studied the clothing in her fashion magazines.
She wore a black, short-sleeved tunic, drawing attention to her skin—a shade or two lighter than Jonesy's complexion. Her dark-brown hair had falling curls and copper at its ends, reminding Caitlin that ombré hair was "totally in." Aside from her faded, hip-hugging jeans, she wore a silver bracelet that she kept toying with.
Caitlin offered a smile. "Cute outfit."
She stopped staring at the tiles beneath her sneakers, meeting Caitlin's gaze. "Thanks."
"So, what can I get for you?"
"Just a lemonade, please."
"Coming right up." Placing the drink on the counter, she said, "That'll be $2.00."
She fumbled through her pocket before pulling out a five-dollar bill. "Here you go. You can keep the change."
Her smile broadened. "Really? Thanks!"
"No problem." She almost walked off with her lemonade, but stopped in her tracks yet again. "Um… do you know where Albatross & Finch is? I really don't want to get lost again."
Caitlin bounced. "Do I? Sometimes I feel like I live there!" She threw her lemon hat and apron aside, closing the Big Squeeze. "Come on, I'll show you."
"Oh, okay. Thanks."
"No prob. Now let's go shopping!"
After saying goodbye to the gang, Caitlin whisked her away. They breezed past many stores before arriving at their destination.
"Voila: Albatross & Finch!"
"Thank you for taking me here." Looking away and fidgeting with her bracelet, she said, "I'm still learning my way around here."
"Oh, it's totally fine. I know this place like the back of my hand. I guess I'll see you around!"
The faintest hint of a grin appeared. "Yeah, see you around."
Caitlin walked behind Benj, who was signing out for the day. Placing her hands over his eyes, she sang, "Guess who?"
"It's only one person." He turned around, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Hey, Cait. Ready to head to the movies?"
"Definitely; I've been dying to see Starry Eyed.Plus, Channing Tatum's in it."
He grinned. "Aw, am I not enough?"
"Of course you're enough, Benji."
He took her hand, causing her to blush as he led her to the Gigantoplex. Her palms grew hot and she swore he'd let go.
He never did.
"EEE, I can't believe we're gonna get another Khaki Sister!"
"OMG, me neither!"
Kristen and Kirsten had been jumping up and down for ages, a half-hour after Chrissy made the announcement.
Massaging her temples, Nikki groaned. "If we get another Stepford clone around here, I just might kill myself."
The girls stopped their squealing, Kirsten asking, "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
"Nothing you'd find worthwhile. I'm going on my break."
Kristen put her hands on her hips. "Nikki, your shift started thirty minutes ago."
"Oh, bite me."
Crossing her arms, she walked out the store, making her way to the Penalty Box. She walked to the cash register, pleased to find Jen there.
"Hey, Nikki. What'd you want to talk about?"
"I want to tell you something important, but"—she pointed a finger at Jen—"keep in mind that it's strictly hypothetical."
"I'm all ears."
"So, I have this"—pause—"friend who may or may not be in love with the guy she's dating. The only problem is she doesn't know whether it's infatuation or real love, but she feels something there."
Jen smirked. "Hmm, I think this 'friend' is definitely in love with Jonesy. Maybe she'll tell me herself."
Nikki shushed her. "Not too loud, okay?" Making sure no one was eavesdropping, she said, "As much as it pains me to admit it, Caitlin may be right. Not only have Jonesy and I've been flirting more lately, but I just feel closer to him. Despite all his faults—his many, many, many faults—he treats me well. He makes me feel wanted, I guess." She blushed and her brown eyes filled with life. "I've just… I've never felt this way about a guy before, Jen. I just don't know if it's me being in puppy love or the real thing."
"I don't know, Nikki. It sounds like love to me."
"Well, I'll be damned—it is."
"You know you need to tell him."
"And I'll do that as soon as you ask that guy out," Nikki said, pointing towards "that guy" for emphasis.
"It's not that easy. I get all tongue-tied when I think about him. Plus I haven't asked a guy out since the Sadie Hawkins dance!"
"Calm down, Jen. It's not the end of the world. If you like him, ask him out."
"And if you love Jonesy, let him know."
Nikki laughed and snorted. "Yeah, yeah—whatever. I'm going back to work. See you later, Jen."
"Bye, Nikki." She sighed, setting her sights on Nick, hoping she'd find the strength to ask him out. She would have called Caitlin and asked for ideas, but she knew she'd be on her date by now.
For now, she would just have to strategize on her own.