Him and Her

Twenty

Twenty

Eric

I did it!

Ana smells like spring air, as the flowers open. She smells so graceful, so beautiful. Her hair is so soft and nozzles her nose into my neck. My neck gets warm when she exhales slowly. Her small frame fits in my arms. I feel her tiny hands on my back. But all good comes to an end when she pulls back.

"Thank you, Eric." She smiles.

"Anytime." I respond.

I pull back and sit back into the floor. Just then, a large man walks through the door. He is wearing a suit, a fancy suit. His eyes meet mine and I stand onto my feet. He smiles to my surprise. "You're Eric." He puts his hand out for me to shake.

I take it as I answer. "Yes, sir. Nice to meet you." Ana's father is very intimidating.

"Hey, peanut." He says walking to Ana, giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Soon, Ana's mother walks into the room to give her husband a kiss. "Hey Eric," she turns to me. "It is getting dark out, and beginning to snow... I don't want to seem like we are kicking you out." She states.

"No, I understand. I was just about to call my mom." I respond.

I pull out my phone and call my mom to let her know that I'm going to leave soon. As I pack up my stuff, we all make small talk until I am all picked up. When I'm done, I turn to the door and begin to put my winter gear back on.

"Thank you for having me. Thank you Ana." I say as I lace my boots.

"Anytime." Ana's mom says.

"No problem." Ana says with a shy smile.

"Have a good night." Her father says as I pull my backpack onto my back.

"Text me when you get home. Drive safe." She laughs at the irony, so do I. But her parents don't laugh...

"Of course." I nod my head with a smile before leaving through the door.

I got a hug! I say that is progress! And I told her she is beautiful— I kind of spoke my mind... was it too much? I mean, I meant every word.

- 5:10 pm -

"I'm home!" I call out as I walk through the door. Belle comes running at me and jumps onto my shins.

"How was it?" My dad asks.

"It was good, great." I answer.

"Oh yeah?" He taunts.

I blush. "Whatever."

When I get to my room I toss my bag onto my bed and sit in my chair at my desk as I pull out my phone to text Ana.

Hey, I am home. I send.

Good! I will talk with you later. She responds quickly.

Definitely. I send back.

Maybe I will call her later.

- 8:22 pm -

When I finally get the courage to call her, it goes to voice-mail. Just my luck. Maybe she doesn't want to call me. Maybe she was uncomfortable about the hug? My speech about her? Was I creepy?! Did I smell?

I smelled bad, didn't I. Of course I did. Why did I have to have an odor?! Or maybe—

Just then my phone rings. I scramble to pick it up. "Hey!" I answer.

"Hey, Eric. You called?" She asks through the line.

"Yeah! I did." I state.

"Okay? What's up?" She chuckles lightly.

"I-I just wanted to say hello." I say.

"Oh— hi." She laughs again.

I smile. "What are you doing?"

"Just reading." She answers.

"Oh cool." I simply say, rubbing the back of my neck.

There is silence for a while. "Well, have a good night, Eric." She says.

"Wait—" I say before she can hang up.

"Yes?" She questions.

"Is it too late to play the name game?" I wonder.

Ana laughs. "Sure, I guess we can play a few rounds."

- 10:52 pm -

"Oh my gosh! Look at the time!" Ana exclaims.

I pull the phone out from my ear to look at the time. "Wow, it did get late." I respond.

"I think I am going to call it a night." She says.

"Me too, I guess." I say. A part of me wants to stay up longer.

"Have a good night, Eric." She says.

"Sweet dreams, Ana." I smile.