First Snow

Chapter 9: Hug

Hi, reader. Rain suggested that I put something here as a message to you. Ummm.... Hi. How are you? Thank you for reading our stuff.

Sincerely, Indigo

Chapter 9: Hug

Man, I really messed that one up; Lee’s probably still mad at me. I spent the rest of the day hanging out with Alex so Lee could have some time alone. That evening, I decided to go to Lee’s room and apologize. I guess she’s not all that used to my brand of teasing, non-malevolent as it may be. Or is it? I didn’t mean to be mean or anything. I decided I should bring her a peace-offering. Besides, I’d been wanting to get her this for a while, and I guessed now would be as good a time as any. I went to my house for a bit, just to pick it up, and worked up the nerve to go talk to her. I knocked gently on her door.

“Hey, Halley? It’s Luke. Can I come in?” I hope she’s not mad at me. I swear, it felt like a ball of nervousness was building up inside me. I fiddled with my shirt, like I normally do when I’m nervous. The door opened very slightly, and I saw a big green eye looking out at me. Other parts of her face were visible, too, but I just stared at her eyes, big, green, and beautiful. I couldn’t help but... woah, woah, WOAH! This is LEE we’re talking about!

“Yes?” She seemed apprehensive.

“Um... I was hoping we could, you know, talk.” I’ve never been so nervous about talking to anyone before. Ever. Maybe I should have gone to Alex for help, but she’s not quite the sensitive, apologizing type.

“Ummm... here?” As usual, that tiny voice of hers...

“I mean, if you’re okay with it,” I said, as uncertain of myself as I could possibly be.

“Ok...,” she said as she opened the door. I stepped in, and honestly didn’t know what to do. It’s a bit embarrassing, really: I really wanted to be close with Lee.

“I... uh” I started, unsure of myself. “I wanted to say, that is, to tell you that I’m sorry. I guess I took it a bit too far a while ago. I should have taken the hint you didn’t want to talk about it.” I swear, I thought I might end up doing some damage to my shirt at this rate, I kept fiddling with it.

“It’s ok. You didn’t do anything wrong.” So why does it feel like I did? She stepped closer, and all of a sudden, I felt a strange tightness in my gut. My heart rate increased. Oh man! Am I...? No no no no no no no!!!!

“I... I guess... I mean it felt like... I just was thinking... I mean, I just want us to be on good terms, you know.” I was babbling like an idiot, and honestly, she probably thought I was going insane or something. Way to get a crush on your best friend’s little sister, jackass.

“Ummmmm... I thought we are?” She looked as if she was really confused.

I’m totally freaking her out! Okay, FOCUS, Quincy! “I mean, I was worried you might be mad at me or something, or that I hurt your feelings, or maybe I overstepped boundaries, or...” Her hands started to tremble, and I suddenly thought I might have made her mad or something. “Lee?”

She blushed, and all at once, I felt... I don’t know how I felt. All I knew was that I wanted her happy. And then, as if some invisible force took over my body, I had a compulsion I couldn’t resist. I took a step forward and engulfed her in a hug. WHAT THE HELL, ME??? “Lee, I just want you to be happy, and for things to be good between us.” Where was all of this coming from?

She slowly responded, wrapping her arms around me. I just wanted to stay like that. “Lee,” I whispered. It felt like my brain just went “Okay, that’s it! Brain OUT! You handle this on your own, because this is getting a bit weird."

“Hmm?”

“I just felt like saying it... Lee.” I smiled. She murmured something and held me closer, and I felt all warm and fuzzy and happy inside, possibly as happy as I’ve ever been. All of a sudden, “Hi, it’s Brain. I’m back. So, what are you two... us two... Luke and Lee... what are we now?” Here I was, hugging my best friend’s little sister, sharing a quiet moment, whispering her name for no real reason. I swear, this felt like the beginning of some cheesy romance story. And really, I think I wanted it to be one.

“Hey, Lee... If Alex walks in now...” THANK YOU BRAIN!!!!! Wait.... CRAP! If Alex had walked in, it would basically have been death. I let go of Lee, but I instantly regretted doing so.

We stood there awkwardly (very, very, very awkwardly) for a while, like we were playing some weird game of chicken, where whoever speaks first loses.

“OH!” I said, probably a lot too loudly, given the mood. “I’ve got something for you.” I pulled out what I’d gotten earlier, a basic handheld voice recorder. I didn’t use it much anymore, but it was still in good condition. I figured it might convince her to record something. She tilted her head, looking confused. “I figured, if you ever want to record anything, you could use this. I used to use it all the time, before I got better gear,” I explained. “It was my first ever musical gear after my guitar.” I smiled, feeling all nostalgic and stuff. That recorder is what I used to record my first songs. “CharQuincyAdams” wouldn’t exist without it.

She took the recorder quietly, like everything she does. Our fingers barely touched, but it was enough. I’d better make sure Alex never finds out about this, I thought to myself. But what “this” did I mean? The hug? My feelings? Either way, she’d kill me.

“Um, I think I’ll... I think I should go,” I said, mostly so I wouldn’t make a complete fool of myself again. “If you need anything, feel free to ask.” I got myself to the door, got out, and scrambled to my room. The last thing I remember seeing was a beautiful pair of green eyes.

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Back in the guest bedroom, I fell onto the mattress, my brain awash with whatever a brain is normally awash with after something like that: giddiness, fear, uncertainty, the works. I decided I needed a good long think; some time alone to figure out what I just did. And how I feel.

I felt the need to talk to someone about this. Someone who could give me advice or smack me over the head and tell me I’m an idiot. This would normally be Alex, but, for obvious reasons, that’s not an option. Maybe I should just talk it out with Halley... No.

I decided that the best thing to do would be to go and talk to Alex. Or at least, hang out with her for a while. I went outside and saw someone coming down the hall. She seemed familiar, like I’d met her before. “Hey, you’re Halley’s friend, aren’t you?” She was one of the girls present when I stood up to Alex that one time.

“Who are you?” Well, so much for politeness...

“Alex’s friend. I’m staying over for a while.” She’s a chipmunk cheeked girl, this one, and man, what an attitude.

“Yeah, I’m Halley’s friend. What’s your name, boy?”

I just gave her a quick “hmph” and ignored her, heading to Alex’s room. As I got to the door and knocked, I called over my shoulder “It’s Luke.” Man, what a bit- no, must be nice.

“Come in,” Alex yelled from inside.

“Hey! Hey-hey wait! I’m Marla!!! UGH!!!” I heard her as her voice faded into a pleasant Lack-of-Marla-ness.

I opened the door and went inside, leaving the spoiled chipmunk on her own. “Alex, what’s up? I’m bored.” Alex was at her computer, just closing some chat window or something. She’s been getting kinda private lately.

“Hey! Game?”

“Sure.

As much as I wanted to spend time with Lee, it was good to just sit and mindlessly kill people and creatures and such. Oh, the simple pleasures.