Free Virtually in Love by A. Destiny Page B

find it so strange.
    Dropping my pencil, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling. Kaz wasn’t anything like the kind of guy I’d pictured having as a boyfriend someday. Was I missing the romantic potential in the boy next door? Could I even begin to imagine living out the lyrics to “True Romance” with someone like him—good old geeky Kaz?
    Suddenly I realized my phone was vibrating, making that impatient little stifled-bee buzz it makes when the ringer is off.
    I grabbed the phone, expecting it to be Trevor. But the name over the little telephone icon on the screen was Kazuo Aratani.
    With a deep breath, I hit the green button. “Hello?”
    â€œHey, Chloe,” Kaz’s familiar voice responded. “Don’t panic. I’m not calling to demand an answer from you.”
    I relaxed and even smiled a little as his familiar snorting laugh rang out over the tiny speaker. “Okay,” I said. “So why are you calling?”
    â€œWanted to make sure your phone was on. I’m texting you a very important picture right now, okay?”
    â€œOkay.” I pulled the phone away from my ear. Sure enough, a text popped up a moment later. It was a photo of Kaz striking a ta-da pose in front of his shower—where he’d hung the disco ball from the ceiling, several flashlights pointing up at it and making the whole bathroom sparkle.
    I laughed. Classic Kaz! “What a nerd,” I murmured, shaking my head. Then I put the phone back to my ear. “Very nice,” I said. “You’ll be able to take the grooviest showers in town.”
    â€œYeah.” Kaz sounded pleased with himself. “Okay, better send it to Van next. See you tomorrow.”
    â€œBye.” As I hung up, I was still smiling. Kaz always made me laugh, that was for sure. Still, a guy who hung a fake disco ball in his shower? Perfect as a friend, but maybe not so much as my super-romantic knight in shining armor. I just had to remember that and not get myself all confused again.
    The phone buzzed again in my hand; I still hadn’t turned the ringer back on. I put it to my ear without checking. “Okay, Kaz, what now?” I said.
    â€œUm, Chloe?”
    Oops. I realized it wasn’t Kaz calling back after all.
    â€œHi, Trevor,” I said. “Sorry. I just hung up with Kaz, and he sent this picture, and, well, never mind.” Taking a deep breath, I told myself to focus. “How are you?”
    â€œFine.” He sounded a little confused. No wonder. “Sorry I’m a little late calling you. The band ended up going out for food after rehearsal. We wanted to celebrate and make Zoe feel welcome, you know?”
    â€œZoe?” I echoed. “I take it that’s the new chick drummer you texted about?”
    He chuckled. “Oh right, sorry. Yeah, that’s her. It’s weird—she’s been in the band only about five minutes, but it’s already like she fits right in.”
    â€œThat’s cool.” I got up from my desk and flopped onto my bed.
    â€œYeah, she’s an amazing drummer, and she really gets our sound. We think she’s exactly what the band needs to finally break out. Especially if we get to play the Scene soon.”
    He sounded so excited, I wanted to reach right through the phone and hug him. “I bet you will.”
    â€œI think so too. Did I tell you Zoe’s ex-boyfriend actually works there?”
    â€œNo.” He seemed to forget this was our first conversation about the fabulous Zoe. But that was okay; I got the same way sometimes when I was excited about something.
    â€œYeah. She’s going to try to get in touch with him and set something up for us. We’re so psyched!”
    â€œI can tell,” I said with a laugh. “That’s great, Trev, seriously. You guys have been working really hard for a really long time. It’s cool things are happening for you.”
    â€œYeah.