And then there was light

Derek

" Can you please explain to me what just happened?"

I take a few deep breaths. "I saw my ex. Things didn't end great with us." I look down ashamed that I couldn't have dealt with the situation more maturely.

"Hey look at me. You don't need to say anything. Are you okay?" Nate finds my hands with his. My heart does somersaults. I smile.

"Do you want to go? I'm sorry, I just can't go back there."

"Yeah, of course."

We start putting all our stuff inside the car when someone calls for me. I turn around to see Derek, sorry Mr. McCall.

"Hey, Derek." I look to where Nate was to see if he recognized him. A sigh of relief came over me when I didn't see any sign of recognition. I didn't want him to judge me.

"Hey Jas. How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"Good good. I was thinking of catching up sometime. It's been a while." He smiles that cute smile and blushes like he always does. Stop Jasmine, you're better than this I tell myself.

"I actually have to get going. But uh nice to see you." I give him a quick smile and get in the car. I can't breathe. I can't do this. He was my first. He was my first everything.

I was so caught up in panic that I didn't realize Nate staring at me worriedly.

"Jas, you're hands are shaking. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just he's kind of an emotional trigger for me. Every time I see him, I just can't breathe. And not in a good way."

"Wait... did he ever do anything to you?" His eyes look almost angry?

"No no he didn't it's just there was this whole situation. It's a long story. But no he never did anything to me. He was actually one of the sweetest and gentleman like guy I knew."

"Ok ok that's good." He relaxes, but not all the way.

"Hey are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Why would you think I'm not?" He looks everywhere but me. Wait...

"Are you jealous?" I lightly punch him in the arms with a smug smile on my face.

"No..." he blushes slightly. BLUSHES.

"Mhm sure sure" I say with a smile still plastered on my face. Wow, I calmed down really fast. Strange.

We get back in the car and start driving back to our dorms. On the way, I decide to take a nap and take my mind off of things. I feel Nate's eyes on me as I drift off into a peaceful and much needed rest.

After some time he wakes me up and I find myself blinded by the Ihop LED sign. I smile a bright, bright smile because he remembered.

"I got hungry and I knew you liked IHOP sooo here we are," he gives me a tired smile and gets out of the car. I'm about to get out of the car myself after getting my glasses on and stretching when the car door on my side opens. I'm greeted with yours truly attempting to majestically open the door for me.

"Madam, may I take your hand on this fine day?"he asks in some fancy accent as he gestures for me to get out of the car.

"Thank you, sir, I may," I say back and do a little bow and take his hand at which he shakes his head smiling.

Anyways, we walk in and get ourselves seated in a booth since it was the only seating available at that point. Who knew so many people loved to eat pancakes at 10 pm?

It starts getting a little awkward because it was just the two of us in a booth which is usually where a couple would be sitting. The lighting and the atmosphere didn't really help either. I decide to explain myself a little for what happened earlier that day.

"Nate, I know what I said today probably confused you a little..."

"Yeah, but I'm not judging you, I knew first of all you were a lot more mature than most people in high school and also I get it. If I liked someone for so long and they didn't feel the same way, I would want to move on and distract myself too, and I'm glad you did."

"Yeah, I mean he wasn't that much older than me but I guess it was kinda noticeable, and yeah that was actually exactly what I was going to say."

"Guess I know you well, Patel. Also, isn't that last name like a meme somewhere?"

"HAHA, yeah actually it isss, literally every brown person to exist knows a Patel."

"That's hilarious." He smiles, and as if on que, the waiter arrives to take our order.

For the rest of the night, we talked and laughed and just genuinely had a good time. I was happy and I had a feeling he was too. Butterflies erupted in my stomach, but this time, I didn't feel anxious about it, I felt okay:)