The Buts and Ifs

3 Act Cool

"Jake... ahmmm... let's take it slow" she smiled head hanging low not meeting his gaze.

"Yeah? You really like it with me huh?" was all he could say after walking home from school.

They do this every time. After class, she would wait for Jake at the school's bench while the other was having intense training from basketball and then they would walk side by side in their way home. Their houses were really far from each other to be honest, but the overly sweet voy would take the effort to send her home and then he will take the opposite direction to the nearest bus stop where his home was.

They were currently on their way home, a mere three meters away to Nagi's house and the two seems to not letting each other go, hands intertwined, shoulder blade brushed each time and a lingering smile that seems to suit them well.

"You should stop doing this you know."

Nagi stopped from walking and faced him, hands stretching for Jake to hand him her bag that the boy grow to habitually carry when they were together. Jake's hands were on the strap of her bag fisting it tightly to hide his indescribable feeling at that moment before giving it to her.

"You know that I won't do that." The man in her front also does the same, facing Nagi and gave her a reassuring smile.

"You know as well how much I care for you right Nagi?" he added. Hands came on contact with her shoulder to give her a light tap and then brush her hair ever so smoothly.

"It's just that, I'm taking more of your time and you should have rest instead. It's not like I'm your girlfriend or what." She uttered, voice came too low at the end and then looked away as if intentionally doesn't want to hear what comes next if it's worse. Confidence going low. But the boy just let out a cute chuckle and started stepping forward to her house.

"You really have no clue how badly I want to become that one Nagi. Hephep! Stop over-reacting. You know I can wait. And I won't leave you while I'm waiting."

Nagi doesn't know how she would react that time. It's just too overwhelming that both of them feel the same way. The truth is she knew it already. She knew he likes her and the other too. It's just that they were too young to be involved in this kind of relationship. How great the feeling was to have someone you like and like you the same that eager to wait for you until both of you are ready to where that blossoming feelings brought you? In short, it's good to have Jake in your life. That's the statement.

She smiled at him, hearts beating fast, butterflies on her stomach as she took a step forward to follow the boy's steps. The universe doesn't know where did she got the courage and don't ask me too because from the moment the man beside her face her again to bid his good bye, Nagi stand on her toes a little high and put a soft lingering kiss on the boy's cheek before rushing to the front door of her house. To say that Jake was stunned was an understatement how his brain stopped at that mere action that send him into the pit of pure bliss where no one knows but him. He stayed there for a little while, eyes fixed on the close door of his friend's house. Scratch that, his one and only crush's house, lips a soft curve of smile.

He frowned.

"Nagi?"

How unlucky she was right now. How she wish she could throw herself in the window or splash herself with the tea she was holding to excuse herself or even worse make a hole under the table and bury herself and never woke up ever again. But she knew she can't. She doesn't want to let this opportunity slide with her client. She doesn't want to end up again in the bar to escape from her boss. Act cool. Don't embarrass yourself Nagi. She taught to herself.