Ring.
Trevor’s number blinked on the screen of my pay-by-the-minute phone. I picked it up with breakneck speed. The ringtone barely had the chance to play before I pressed ‘accept.’
“Hey, Trevor.” I smiled as I said this, butterflies rising in my stomach. I made an attempt to not sound excited, but it failed.
“Hey, Zoe. I was just wondering if you wanted to go Luigi’s. I’ve got this coupon for a free dinner, and it kind of expires today.” He laughed his perfect laugh.
“Classy,” I snickered.
It was the day after the Trevor had shown up on my porch and introduced himself. We had exchanged jokes, and eventually, cell phone numbers. Of course, asking me to lunch was only a friendly gesture. He missed Scarlett, and so did I.  Keeping each other company seemed like the logical thing to do.
“I try. So, you up for it?”
“Definitely, I’m starving.”
“Perfect. Meet me at Luigi’s in ten.”
I didn’t even say goodbye before I hung up. But the moment I did, I began jumping up and down in pure joy. Sure, this wasn’t a date. It was far from that. But I wasn’t going to let that bother me.
I walked to Luigi’s, my hands in my jean’s pockets. I was really anxious to see Trevor. When I opened the door to the restaurant, he was sitting at a booth by a window. Noticing me, he waved and mouthed, “Over here!”
I sat across from him and placed my hands on the granite table. “This was cool of you. Really.”
“Friends of Scar’s are friends of mine.” Trevor’s crooked smile made my heart skip a beat... or two.
“Friends. Just friends.” I repeated this over and over in my head, not that it did any good. The want for Trevor to take my hands in his was more overwhelming than ever.
Overall, I had an amazing time. We enjoyed a cheese pizza pie and a countless number of Cokes. Trevor paid with his coupon. He told me about himself, and I told him about myself. Turns out, his parents were separated as well. He had a seven-year-old sister named Anna. His favorite color was green.
Trevor insisted on walking me home, even though I lived only a few minutes away. He claimed he needed me for protection, which made me giggle.
“Well, see you Trevor.”
We were standing in my driveway, listening to the sound of cicadas in the bushes. The Florida air was warm, but comfortable. The dark sky was dotted with stars.
“See you Zoe. I had fun.”
And he kissed me on the cheek.