After their conversation, Seth took it upon himself to continueCriminal Mindsthat night, and finished the rest of Season 1 in one sitting. Nina was right.
The show reallywasaddictive.
From what he was aware, none of his other friends watchedCriminal Minds. He didn’t feel like he had to ask if they had.
His parents weren’t into these kinds of shows, either. Instead, they seemed to entertain themselves by having petty arguments over Dad’s overtime hours at work, or things like how Mum is always nagging.
So, really, he had no one else to talk to about it. Except for Nina.
Seth wasn’t sure he wanted to be friends with her just yet. It was still so hard to interact with her normally, especially when he felt like the eyes of his classmates were all on him.
Maybe talking online would be easier.
He messaged her that night, on Skype.
Seth: Soo…I finished season 1 of Criminal Minds. That was awesome, great recc
The grey icon said she was offline, but the moment he pressed send, it lit into green. Three bubbles hovered immediately. Before stopping. Then starting again
.
Nina: You liked it! I’m so so happy. It’s the best isn’t it? What was your favourite episode?
Seth: Is it just me, or does it sound totally sadistic that we enjoy this show and you’re asking for my favourite episode? Haha
Nina: You’re right. Maybe we should’ve used a VPN, block offthe FBI first or something
Seth chuckled at that. He could almost imagine these messages in Nina’s voice.
They spent an entire night chatting about Criminal Minds, exchanging their favourite characters, their favourite cases and the ones that scared them the most. It was easy over text, where he didn’t have to catch the red on her cheeks, or the glint in her eyes. Or focus on the way her smile felt oddly like sunshine.
I could be her friend. I can do it. I can be…something.
It wasn’t until a week after their Skype conversation, when Seth overheard Nina’s friends’ conversation that he realised there needed to be a change in the seating arrangements.
That day, Seth was early to the science block, sitting against the bricked wall. He was thinking about the show and all the questions he’d ask Nina about it. He’d finished Season 2 already, and was keen to tell Nina his thoughts, in person this time. They’d been chatting every other night on Skype about the show, and Seth had noticed that since then, Nina appeared more at ease beside him in science class.
And then -
“This is the cutest letter Nina, you’ve got to give it to him. Give it to him today! After class!”
Nina and her group of friends were just around the corner. They didn’t realise Seth was there.
“Oh my gosh no, I’m never going to give this to him, it’s too embarrassing,” Nina’s voice piped up, always being much too loud.
“ComeonNina, this is the perfect time! He’s going to love it, maybe he’ll even fall for you.”
He’ll fall for you.
The words made Seth’s stomach churn strangely. Made him feel oddly…transparent. The sensation that someone waswatching his every movement fell over him, and he glanced around, suddenly on edge.
Falling for someone suggested love. And the love that Seth went home to, the one between his parents, the one with a strange negative energy and silence was the only one he knew.
He didn’t want to fall.
“He wouldn’t…” Nina said, a bit more softly this time. The sadness in her tone made Seth’s heart plummet.
The sound of jingling keys distracted Seth. Mrs. Kaleski was opening the doors to the classroom, meaning the rest of his classmates would be there soon. Biting the inside of his cheek, Seth felt himself settle on his decision.
