Patrick and I exchanged phone numbers today.  It was extremely awkward.  Grandmother had sent me over to give Emmett (his grandfather) some of the extra food we had.  (She said it tasted bad reheated.  I think she just wanted Patrick and I to see each other.) But, whatever the reasons, Patrick was home alone and welcomed me inside.

I told him that I trusted him completely, but I had always been taught to never enter a boy's house without at least two chaperons.

He laughed.  "OK.  We can stand here."

I held out the Tupperware.  "I brought food.  There was too much, and Grandma thought that you guys would be hungry and..."

He laughed again.  "Thanks.  I love spaghetti."

I laughed nervously.  "Good.  I would have called, except--"

"You don't have my number."  Patrick finished for me.  "Here, where's your phone?"

I pulled it out of my pocket.  "Will you put it in under Patrick or Torarin?"

"Which would you prefer?"  He asked, quickly pressing the keys.  

"Either."

"Then I'll surprise you."  He handed back my phone and whipped out his own.  "And your number is?"

I gave it to him. 

"I think that you're the first girl who's number I have.  Besides my mom, of course."  He laughed awkwardly.

"Really?"  I asked.  Yes, this was pathetic flirting on my part.  "I would have never guessed.  I feel honored."

And then we just stood there an embarrassing silence, until I said, very quickly, "Well, got to be going now.  Bye."

He waved as I dashed down the hall, my face bright red and my phone clutched tightly in my hand.  I checked my new contact, and found that Patrick had put is name in as "That Guy." I shook my head and laughed.