Dawn
My breath hitched... not enough for him to notice, I hoped, but enough that I felt it. I shook my head, trying to look casual even though my pulse was sprinting.
"Uh… actually," I said, forcing my voice not to crack, "I was thinking just... us"
Earl paused mid-motion, one hand still on his notebook. His eyebrows lifted a little, not surprised exactly… more like curious. Maybe even pleased.
"Oh," he said softly. "Yeah. I mean.... yeah, that sounds nice."
The way he said nice made my stomach flip.
I tried not to grin like an idiot. "Cool. I know a spot outside... it's quiet. We can… I don't know," I shrugged, "just.. hang out"
He gave that small, shy smile that always hits me right in the ribs. "I'd like that."
For a moment, we just sat there while the classroom buzzed around us. Lockers slammed, chairs scraped, voices overlapped but it all faded into a kind of bubble that felt like it belonged only to us, Earl hugged his notebook to his chest before standing, looking almost bashful as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
"So," he said, glancing at me from under his lashes, "should I meet you after fourth period? Or do you wanna walk there together?"
He wants to walk with me?
My heartbeat tried to do somersaults.
"Let's walk together," I said a little too quickly, then softer, "If… if you want."
His smile turned warmer. "Yeah. Of course I'd like that"
I walked him to his next class, even though my fourth period was self-study. When he disappeared into the room, I lingered nearby, pretending not to watch the door.
Time moved painfully slow after that. Every minute felt stretched thin as I waited for his class to end though my thoughts circling back to one question.
Was this lunch just lunch?
Or can I assume that this lunch will be the beginning of something for me and Earl?
I don't know but I have this unexplainable feelings for him, I want to be with him no matter what.
the word boyfriend slipped into my mind without warning.
I froze.
Boy- what?!
I must be crazy!! What did I just imagine...
Haaaaaaa
Really I can't get enough of him, when I carried him the time he fell asleep I still dream about it from time to time
I have to make sure I get to sleep at his house in the future without any problems like last time
To distract myself from thinking such absurd thoughts I started doodling Earl in a chibi form, it was soooo ridiculously cute
Somehow, even when he wasn't there, he had a way of filling my thoughts completely. And as I closed my notebook, one thing felt undeniably true, whatever this was, I didn't want it to fade.