Serendipity

I'd never do that

"Sydney!" Tim calls, waving madly. I notice a bag of something in his other hand, but my gaze doesn't linger for long, because by that time Tim has reached me and has swept me up into a warm hug.

Surprised but not displeased, I hug him back.

When he pulls away, I tilt my head and smile.

"What was that for?" I ask. He blushes and shakes his head.

"No reason," He then holds out the bag of what I have now deemed to be chips and gives me an expectant look. "But I brought snacks."

"Ooo," I glance at the bag, then back at him. "You know, you don't have to feed me. I eat enough most of the time."

"That's not what this is," He promises. "It's repayment."

"And what are you repaying me for?"

"For the homework," He grins. "That you're gonna help me with."

"Who said anything about homework?" I snort, but he doesn't falter.

"I did. Now, I have my stuff in my bag here," He turns and shows me a backpack he apparently had on the entire time. "And although we never clarified whether it was your place or mine we'd hang out at, I'm prepared either way."

"Well, I asked my parents for permission to bring you over, not the other way around," I shrug. "So that's probably what's gonna happen. Unless you want to talk to them and convince them otherwise."

"Right," He shakes his head. "In that case, lead the way!"

I smile, then take the chip he offers me and pop it into my mouth.

Are these the ones he told me about a while ago? I wonder as it crunches between my teeth. I guess, in the end, he gave me the chip he said he wished he could give me.

I smile. Tim's so cute.

"What's on your mind?" He asks, startling me out of my thoughts. "You've got this adorab—" he coughs and corrects himself. "—Funny look on your face."

"I'm just thinking about how much of a dork you are," I tease him. Then I blush. Did I really just say that? Why? That was so embarrassing why did I—

"I'm your favorite dork though," He nods, teasing me right back.

I cock one eyebrow, face still burning. "Who said anything about being my favorite?"

"Oh, come on," He rolls his eyes dramatically. "We all know you're madly in love with me."

I wince, but quickly wipe it away and replace it with a smile and laugh. That hit a little close to the truth.

"Not madly," I shake my head, kicking a stray pebble out of my way. Too late, I realize my mistake.

"No way!" He gasps. "You didn't deny it!"

"Wait—"

"Haha!" He punches the air, cheering. "It's too late! The truth has revealed itself!"

"No!" I laugh. "And if anyone's madly in love, it's you."

"True."

"Hey, you didn't deny it, either!"

"That was on purpose," He grins and winks, and my heart flips at the honesty hidden in his words.

Come on, Sydney, just because we kissed doesn't mean anything changed. Even though his face tints as pink as mine feels doesn't mean anything.

I glance down suddenly as his fingers brush mine. He follows my gaze, then offers his hand after a moment of hesitation.

I stare at it for a second.

Is this a joke? Is he teasing me again? What would happen if I took it? Would he be upset?

"Or you could not, that's fine too," He retracts his hand with a slightly hurt expression after I don't move to take it.

Oh, he was being serious?

I open my mouth to protest that I would've taken it if I had known he meant it, then close it again when I remember that actions speak louder than words. I grab his arm and lace my fingers through his, and he instinctively closes his fingers around mine.

He tilts his head at me curiously, adjusting his grip on the chip bag in his other hand. "What changed your mind?"

"Nothing," I shake my head, squeezing his hand. "I just wasn't sure if it was a joke or something."

"Why would I joke about this?" He lifts our twined hands, patting the back of my palm with his thumb.

"It's just..." I wince. "It's happened before."

"That's dumb," He huffs. "Holding your hand is a privilege."

"I— uh," I cough. How is this walk so long? I think my face might melt off because of how hot his words are making it. Damn blush. "Yeah. They offered to hold my hand but then freaked out when I actually did it. Called me a slur."

"I'd never do that," Tim assures me, shaking his head.

"I'm...glad," I say after a while, not sure exactly how I should respond to that.

He purses his lips, as if holding something else back, but doesn't say anything else.

---

"Come on in," I say, pushing open the door and stepping aside so Tim can walk past. I follow after him and close the door behind me. I raise my voice as the door clicks. "I'm back!"

"Alright!" Dad calls from his office. "Lemme know if you kids need anything!"

"Thanks, Dad!" I glance over at Tim, then grab his arm and start tugging him up the stairs.

He stumbles and trips right at the end, accidentally dragging me down with him. I'm grateful it was the last step, and that we fell onto the beginning of the second floor, but still, the position we end up in is....

I land on top of him, awkwardly tossed across his chest as I try to hold myself up with my scrawny arms.

We make eye contact. He grins and waggles his eyebrows.

"I thought you said he wasn't your boyfriend yet," Lina's voice makes me jump up and away from Tim in a similar manner as he did before at his house. I scramble to stand as Tim slowly pulls himself up using the stair railing.

"He's—" I glance back at him. "Not." Lina cocks an eyebrow at me.

"Sure," She says, obviously not buying a word. "Well, just don't get pregnant or something and you're good—"

"Lina!" I moan. Is it really her job to embarrass me in front of my....

My what? Crush? I don't even know anymore.

"Anyways," She pushes past me and places a hand on Tim's shoulder. She leans close and mutters something under her breath, and he winces and nods enthusiastically.

"Yes ma'am," He tells her, meeting her eyes.

She squints at him, then nods slightly and continues down the stairs.

"What'd she say?" I ask as soon as she's out of earshot, reaching out to guide him over to my room.

"I don't think I should tell you," He glances behind him nervously, as if afraid she might hear. What, did she threaten him?

"Alright," I shrug. "Just wondering."