Filed to story: Kissed by Claw and Fang
Deciding to play it safe, I text back:
Me: Who is this?
There’s a long pause. Then:
Unknown: Zane
It’s only one word, and yet it somehow all but crackles with indignation. Like he can’t imagine that I don’t already have his number in my phone, just waiting for him to finally get around to texting me. I should be annoyed at the assumption, but I’m amused instead. So amused that I can’t help answering:
Me: Zane who?
Zane: I don’t know the punch line
Me: To what?
Zane: Whatever knock-knock joke you’re setting up
I burst out laughing, because he’s funny over text in a way he hasn’t shown me in person.
Me: I’m terrible at knock-knock jokes
Zane: Finally some good news
Me: Hey!
Me: How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?
There’s a long pause, where I can totally imagine his face. Then:
Zane: I didn’t realize octopi laughed
Yeah, that’s pretty much the response I expected.
Me: eye roll emoji
Me: Come on. Play along.
Zane: I just wanted to know how your ankle was
Me: Take a guess and I’ll tell you
Another long pause.
Zane: Me: 17?!?!?!?!?!
Zane: Well, it’s obviously not 8 or it wouldn’t be a joke
Zane: And I don’t have a clue otherwise, so why not 17?
Me: double eye roll emoji
Me: Let’s try this again
Me: How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?
This pause is so long that I’ve just about convinced myself that I’ve blown it and he isn’t going to answer. But then:
Zane: How many?
I nearly drop my phone in excitement, and I’m grinning so hard that my cheeks hurt. Which is ridiculous, but I’m learning that when it comes to this boy,
I’m ridiculous.
Me: Ten-tickles
Zane: That’s…actually pretty good
Me: Wow. High praise
Zane: Don’t let it go to your head
Me: Believe me, I won’t
Me: Triple eye roll emoji
Zane: What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
What? A joke? From the perennially serious Zane Vale? I can’t answer back fast enough.
Me: I have no idea.
Zane: Frostbite