❛ SUPERMARKET FLOWERS ♪ ❜ - z. herron

forty-five: it's just the feeling of lips on lips.

"A sunrise hike?" I ask.

"Yes, a sunrise hike." Nate says, his hand out in front of me. "So, let's go do it."

"You woke me up at 4 am and made me put on tennis shoes, which I don't usually wear ever. Then, I had to drive to Griffith observatory so I could watch the sunrise with you?" I say, grabbing his hand and stepping out of the car. "It's cold."

"Exactly Kir, so stop complaining." He smiles, loosely holding my hand as we begin to walk up the trail.

*

"How is it already light?" I ask as we continue to walk up the trail. The sun is already peeking out, making the dark skylight again.

"I don't know but look." He says, pointing with his other hand into a group of trees. In the foliage, a small deer hops up, looking straight at us and then running away.

I whisper to him, "Bambi."

"I think it's just a baby deer."

I shake my head, "No, Bambi."

"Kir, every deer you see is not-"

"Nate, you better not finish that sentence."

He laughs and continues walking, pulling me along with him, "You are so weird. We are like a mile away, we have to make it before sunrise."

*

We sit down on a rock together, looking out to see the sun create the most perfect morning sky. "How worth it is this?" He says, pointing out.

Right now, we are looking at the whole city of Los Angeles slowly waking up as the sun rises, all in our eye-line. I'm amazed by this city; the later it gets, the more cars drive down the streets, and more people start their morning runs. It's incredible to see.

"Maybe a little worth it." I say, putting my fingers together to show a small amount.

"I'm happy." He says, still looking out into the city.

"I love you." I say, the words slipping out of my mouth. They seem like I'm trying to convince myself that they are authentic, more so than him.

He looks at me, contentment almost draining from his eyes, "I love you too."

"Are you okay?" I ask, trying to grasp what is going on for him to look at me that way. He seems like he'd rather be anywhere else but here.

Or here with anyone else.

"I'm just tired. I'm ready to get those extra hours of sleep in. Are you coming over or do you want me to drop you off at school"

"You want me to come over?" I ask, taken aback. 

He's not one to extend plans. Usually, I just end up sleeping over after dinner or spending a couple of hours, and then I decide to leave because he feels uncomfortable spending too much time with me. But for him to offer for me to come to hang out after is huge for him.

Maybe he is different.

"Of course I do. You have clothes at mine, just shower and come there."

"Okay," I say, squeezing his hand.

*