by Piper Bee
Nope. She’s actually moody.
My butt’s getting sore from sitting on this slate floor in the Parks’ equally gorgeous kitchen. Their mansion is decked in different colors, with a contrastive palette of cream and mahogany. I think it’s Korean influence with straight lines, solid wood and gold details. It’s like an art exhibit or a lived-in antique shop.
Normally I like being alone, but massive immaculate mansions test the limits of my introverted nature. Maybe I’m more of an ambivert?
Zany yips from her kennel. My confidence in dog-sitting skills is dwindling. Fast.
I bite my lip. I could really use back-up. So I text Cale.
JB: You don’t know anything about dogs, do you?
I watch for the three dots. Zany won’t come out to eat. If I so much as put my hand near her kennel, her vocals rumble at me. I even carried Diamond over here to spread his calming energy, to no avail.
CT: Yeah. My mom’s a dog trainer, why?
THANK THE GOOD LORD. I swiftly type out my message.
JB: This dog I’m taking care of growls anytime I get close to her.
CT: Hungry? Hurt?
JB: Idk. I can’t get close enough to her cage to figure it out. But she hasn’t eaten in like a day.
CT: Did she mess her kennel?
JB: Don’t think so
CT: She’s prolly scared
I peek at Zany through the crisscrossed grate. She’s not showing teeth. No furrowed brow or snarling. I wish I could read dogs. Of humans and animals, Diamond is the only creature who makes sense to me.
CT: I can come by if you want. Turn on my charms ;)
JB: Do they ever turn off? lol
I hug my knees and set my phone on the floor. I am kinda craving human interaction. Lena’s text about “getting frisky” echoes in my head and I blush. There’s no chance of that, but still.
I send Cale the address and gate code, and I’m relieved already. Diamond snuggles up next to me and I pet the folds of his neck.
Twenty minutes go by, then the deep gong of the doorbell echoes into the high, crown-molded ceilings. Diamond skitters off my lap and beats me to the stained glass front door. I could not be more thankful for the bright, toothy grin that greets me when I open the door.
Cale’s oversized t-shirt and basketball shorts are stark against the fanciful entry decor, which reminds me of those carved frames you see in museums. Basically, he looks like a gumball on fine china.
His whistle reverberates off the vaulted walls and the bronze chandelier that hovers over us. It’s decorated with hummingbirds. The two-story wall opposite the entry is covered in a cherry blossom wallpaper with an apple red background.
Cale’s Nikes squeak on the floor and I stop him. It’s walnut and oat basket weave wood floor, far too shiny to lay a shoe on.
“You cannot wear those in here!” His surprise invites me to whisper, “They’re Korean.”
His head snaps back. “Lena’s Korean?”
I laugh. “No! I’ll explain, just take your shoes off!”
As he unlaces his shoes, I think how strange it is to see my plastic-school-chairs, hamburgers-and-french-fries friend walk into this place. Then again, in my college sweatshirt, I probably look pretty foreign, too.
When I point to the kennel, Cale clicks his tongue repeatedly. Tip-toeing with his lanky fingers held out, she sniffs him. Zany growls.
“You scared, sweet girl?” says Cale, in a high pitch voice. He keeps his cool as she watches him swing the grate open slowly.
He’s calmer than usual. I didn’t know he could be so even-tempered.
I stand about ten feet away, with Diamond in my arms. His panting sends dog breath stinking up my personal bubble. Still, it’s comforting.
“They got a fence outside?” Cale asks me.
I point to the door at the corner of the kitchen. “There’s a dog run through there,” I say. Cale nods.
With low energy like a gentle stream, he goes and opens the back door. Then he distances himself. There’s a comforting smile on his face when he looks at me and I release a breath I’d been holding. Cale’s usually bounding with puppy-like energy, which is something I like about him, but I had no idea he could come to my rescue. With calm.
Suddenly I hear the skittering sound of dog nails on the slate floor as Zany races out the door. She’s a shiny black blur. Her kennel shifted back a foot in her speedy escape.
Cale steadily walks over and peeks out, confirming exactly what I hope he would. A report of abundant excrement and urine.
Then, he examines her bowl of food that I set out. He takes the time to read the bag and adds hot water like I should have done hours ago. He puts it right by the opening of the door and then takes a seat with me on the kitchen floor to observe.
Eventually, Zany sheepishly walks up and eats.
Cale gives me his cheesiest big smile.
Finally, I can relax. “I owe you one, Cale Salad.”
“Nah! I’m happy to help.” He scratches Diamond’s ear. “But, uh, whose Korean?”
“Oh yeah. This house belongs to the Parks. Lena’s is next door.”
“Really?” He sounds intrigued.
“Yeah. They’re super close, like one big family. They’re on their trip to Italy together.”
“Cool.” His eyes wander as he places his lanky elbows on his knees.
Should I warn him about Jin? Or would that be pointless?
Cale turns his head to me. “So, what does a girl like you do with two huge mansions and a couple of mutts?”
“Excuse me, this is a purebred corgi.”
Cale’s deep, somewhat goofy laugh always puts me at ease.
“But, to answer your question,” I continue, “I make full use of their pool and Starz subscription.”
His laugh stops immediately and he startles me by getting up abruptly.
“Then let’s go, girlfriend!” he says to me, and then stops in his tracks, turning around to give me a sly look, “Get it?”
“Ha, ha,” I offer in consolation.
♫
June 21st
Floating in the vaguely cold pool would be much nicer if I were totally alone and not worried about an impending cannonball. But here I am, periodically opening my eyes at every twitch of the water surface so I can dodge Cale’s manufactured tsunamis.
I’m failing, obviously.
These past few days have been way nicer with him here to help with Zany, but while I am seriously grateful for his last-minute heroism, I didn’t expect he’d be by in his new-to-him car every day. However… my offering to watch all the Harry Potter movies with him might’ve insinuated an invitation. As much as this muggle loves HP, I kinda wish I hadn’t committed to the marathon. The average person doesn’t get the chance to live in a secluded mansion and soak up 100% autonomy.
Splash!
Fat drops of water spray me. Now I’m soaked. The beating midday sun had just dried my front.
“Cale!” I scold when that sparkly brown head pops up.
He pretends to be oblivious. “What?”
I wipe my face with my hand. “You’re ruining my spa vibe.”
“What’s the point of a pool if you can’t cannonball?”
I roll my eyes, but he has a point. He’s here to have fun. And I feel kinda selfish for wanting this place to myself.
I’m just gonna call it quits and dry off with a towel.
The pool water cascades down my body when I lift myself out of the pool. My black one-piece catches a drift and cools me off. I grab a towel and dab my face.
“I’m gonna order a pizza.”
“How many movies we got left?” He pulls himself out of the water too.
“I think there are four left.”
He grabs a towel, too. “But I thought there were only 7 books.”
“They made the last book into two movies. Which I still can’t believe you haven’t seen!”
“Take it up with my mom!”
Cal
e’s mom is very kind… and very formidable. “No thanks,” I laugh.
“No, you’re right. Bad idea!” The way his laugh dwindles reminds me of a young Will Smith, Fresh Prince era. He stands a little close to me, the faint cologne that’s mixed with the chlorine burns my nose.
Lena’s warning text rings in my head again. No getting frisky.
I swing my striped beach towel over my shoulders like a cape and cover up what’s left of my exposed skin.
I hope I’m not blushing. IhopeImnotblushing.
Briskly I walk into the house without another word because, even though Cale is my friend, it feels like there’s some line we’ve crossed. Faking a relationship. Being alone in a glamorous mansion. Standing inches away in our sopping wet bathing suits.
That friendly smile just felt a little heavier than I expected it to.
“Hey, Joy?” He glistens, framed by the back door and harsh sun. “You’re not mad, are you?”
I try to sound cheery. “No! I’m not mad.”
He smiles. “Okay, just checkin’.”
I remind myself that Cale is interested in Lena. That’s the whole reason I’m even standing in this place. He gave me his car, I’m faking a romance with him, and the rest of it, the reality part, is that we’re friends. Though, if I’d known Cale was going to come by as often as he is, I probably could’ve cut him into the deal as my chauffeur instead of doing the fake dating thing.
Then maybe I wouldn’t be feeling my heartbeat in my face when he smiles at me.
TRACK 05 - NEVER BEEN IN LOVE
JUNE 24TH
Light-filled pictures of my fantasy dreams pass under my thumb as I scroll. I’m finally back in my own room, lying on my white down blanket that is much homier than Lena’s luxurious bedspread. I appreciate my naked walls and cotton sheets a lot more when I’ve been away from them for a week, even if I am daydreaming while searching AirBnBs on the Oregon Coast at nine in the morning.
It’s easy to dream a bit more since I had an unexpected influx of dog-sitting cash. I offered some to Cale, but he said the intro to Harry Potter was more than payment enough. It doesn’t seem fair since I probably couldn’t have walked her by myself without his advice.
My house is super quiet now. Carson decided to stay at the Victoria Lake Resort so he could keep up with the appointments and injury-friendly resort jobs. I’m finally alone like I wanted. And bonus: the Cocoa Puffs last a lot longer.
I don’t know what is so appealing about getting away by myself. I want to hear the ocean waves, smell the salty air, feel tiny grains of sand massage my feet. I’ll spend my money on something boring and useful if I don’t force myself to book something.
Lena sent me a long string of vacation pictures over the course of her trip, but I haven’t had the chance to ask her how things went. I switch to that text chain and get lost in the images of her heavenly Italian excursion. Warm gradient sunsets, handmade pasta and deep red wine, and most notably, sunny selfies with a certain Korean gentleman.
I saw lots of pictures of Jin around his house. A few in a neon-lit city in Korea at various ages. One of him riding a horse on a ranch, fishing in another, holding awards for piano competitions. My favorite was where he had a wide grin with surprised eyes, surrounded by Christmas wrapping paper like he’d opened some remarkable, long-awaited gift.
My new favorite is the one Lena sent me. He’s super cute.
The phone buzzes, as if it’s judging me. It’s Lena complaining about jet lag.
I haven’t forgotten about my sacred duty to Cale. I figure I can feel out where she’s at if I ask how “things” went with Jin.
LG: Nothing romantic :/
LG: The mood never quite struck. Our parents were ALWAYS around.
LG: But, it was still…
She sends me a gif of Heidi Klum saying “Perfection.”
JB: I’m glad you had a good time :)
JB: Too bad about the lack of mood haha
JB: You’ll get another chance…
LG: True. It was fun to see Italy together.
LG: …even if I am burning to make-out!!
I wonder if the yearning gets stronger for someone who has actually made-out before. I have no qualms about my lack of experience, but I kinda want to know what it’s like to have a real kiss. The kind that’s mutual and fun and… burning.
Maybe I’m not the burning type.
I’ve never met a guy I really wanted to kiss. At least, not enough to put him through my brother. It’s risky enough that Cale’s my fake boyfriend. I’m totally fine remaining unkissed at the moment.
Thinking about Lena has me mindlessly scrolling through her Italy pictures again. Impressive limestone fountains with detailed scenes. Impossible architecture. Food that belongs on Zeus’s table. I find one of their two families. Two golden only-children and four parents. Jin’s dad sticks out in this picture for some reason. I saw younger pictures of him at the house, but here he looks oddly familiar. Then again, he looks a lot like Jin.
I swipe back to my favorite pic. Lena in a wide-open smile and Jin playfully raising an eyebrow at the camera.
How can he look that cool and that goofy in one facial expression? It’s unfair.
I put my phone down. I can’t develop even a minuscule crush on this guy. He’s cute and all, but he is off-limits. Lena has history with him, and I’ve been through enough to know how much that matters. Until she notices Cale, I refuse to be one of those girls that Lena told me about.
I should probably give the plot a nudge, though. My plan included getting them both to the State Fair with me and letting Cale’s sparkly personality do some legwork. I gear up to text her.
Staring at Lena’s most recent message, it suddenly occurs to me: is she going to wonder if Cale and I never kiss?
My heart picks up pace as I rest my phone on my chest. She’s definitely going to broach that territory.
So, either I give Cale my very first (fake) kiss, or I come up with a way to work around it. I don’t hate the idea of kissing Cale. It might be kinda nice…
But I’m not sure I could go there for something that isn’t real. No, I know I want genuine romance if I’m gonna kiss someone.
My phone buzzes. I flip it up and the soft light burns my tired eyes.
LG: We still on for the fair this weekend?
That was an easy way to broach the subject.
JB: Of course! You’ve never been! You NEED to
LG: K! Looking forward to it :D
LG: Be sure to bring your BF ;)
JB: Will do
My mission is clear: capitalize on the fun/lovey-dovey nature of both the State Fair and Cale Thomas.
TRACK 06 - HOLD MY HAND
JUNE 27TH
I am way too excited to care about my blistering steering wheel or the hot tornado that whips through my car on the drive to the fairgrounds. I park in the dead grass field next to other dusty cars. Windblown stray hairs stick out from my blonde Anne of Green Gables braids. I’m kinda channeling Anne today, with my freckled skin, bright eyes, and high spirits. I’m pretty sure I was in a similar state when I first came as a kid, braids and all.
I spot Lena’s pink wheeled VW Golf, but I still have to roll up all four of my windows manually before I can head over there.
Still glad it’s mine.
The dried-out grass scratches the exposed skin on my ankles as I walk. Aromatic waves of greasy food hit my nose and the sound of wailing fair-goers tugs my thrill. The Washington State Fair was a few hours drive from my hometown, but it was supposedly better than Oregon’s and at a better time in the year. When I was ten, I tenaciously convinced my folks to make the trip.
Even though it’s lost some of its luster, there’s another kind of magic in the nostalgia.
I’m within a few feet of her car when Lena spots me and rolls her automatic window down.
Oh. She’s not alone. Jin’s in the passenger seat.
He half-salutes, half-waves at me and I wave
back.
Lena’s wearing her hair the same way as me. A more Dorothy-esque look with her blue gingham top, but I know two things for sure: 1) Lena is particular about her hair, and 2) she does not like to match looks.
I make quick work of taking mine out. I mind far less than she does.
Jin emerges from the car into the beating sun. “Why take them out? They’re cute.”
Cute?! Whoo, I’m sweating already. Is the temperature really that high today?
“It would be weird for the veteran to play twins with the State Fair virgin,” I say, averting my eyes from the way his stretching lifts the hem of his shirt.
Lena turns her car off and steps out. I’m not sure she heard what I just said, but Jin chuckles.
“Where’s Cale?” Lena asks. She playfully stabs my side with her finger. “You invited your boyfriend, right?”
I swat her hand away and my heart races a little because Jin now knows I’m not single.
Even though technically I still am.
“He’s driving himself.” I pull my hair up into a ponytail.
Lena’s Wizard of Oz Dorothy-themed outfit is almost comical. Almost. She could wear grocery bags sewn together with seaweed and look runway-ready.
She breathes deep and coughs. “Is that grease?” Disgust flickers on her face.
“Get used to it,” says Cale, weaving through parked cars from behind. “That glorious fair food is going to turn in your stomach all night.”
