He wanted her, as more than a friend. So much.
When Nina let Seth accompany her to pick up her book, he saw it as the perfect opportunity. Except, on the bus ride to the shops he couldn’t find the words.
Later.
When they ate lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, and Nina was sitting across from him, looking beautiful as ever, he still couldn’t find the words.
As they shopped a little more, passing game stores for Seth’s entertainment, he still couldn’t do it.
Before he knew it, four hours had passed and it was time for them to go home.
Am I still a coward?
That’s when he promised himself that he would tell her on the ride home.
Or the walk home.
Either way, he wouldn’t mess it up.
“So, the funniest thing. This guy from university literally messaged me last night,” Nina told him, as they sat side-by-side on the bus.
Dark clouds loomed over them outside, concealing the blue sky that’d been there just hours before. It was times like this that he really wished he had his own car, but his family only shared two and both his parents were at work today.
He would drive her anywhere, if he did. And even if there was nowhere to drive to, he’d drive her anyway, just to be with her. Listen to music. Listen to her stories. Anything.
“Who was it?” Seth asked. He held her tote bag at his thighs, having refused to let her carry it.
“Oh, this peer of mine I’ve worked on a group project with, maybe last year? I’d always been friendly with him…well…” she drifted a little. Chewed at her cheek a bit.
That’s when the anxiety coated him, like a fog. Pieces of a puzzle formed in his brain.
A guy… university….friendly….
“And?” Seth asked, his voice a little hoarse.
“I was really surprised. He asked me out,” Nina said. Then she chuckled, and pulled at her shirt a little. Another nervous tick.
“He asked you out.”
His voice sounded distant. An echo.
Can’t lose her again, can’t lose her again.
“What did you say?”
Nina opened her mouth, but was cut off as they reached their bus stop.
The rain outside was falling heavier now. It hit him, the droplets feeling like cold stabbing shards as they stepped outside.
“Oh my gosh, I really should’ve checked the weather today,” Nina said, with a groan.
They stepped under the cover of the bus stop, the rain beating like drums against its plastic roofing. As they sat down, Nina shook her head a little. Some of the rain had dampened her hair already.
“Wait - my book!”
The first thing Seth did was tuck her bag under his jumper. He’d gotten wet - but the bag and especially her new book was okay. Nina’s body had shifted toward him, and once her eyes fell on his face, she smiled.
“Your hair,” she laughed, pointing toward it.
