Sommerstall Academy

Chapter 58

Elija

"You look a bit tired, Flower girl. Rough night?" Jamie asks Florence when we've finally reached our 30-minute break.

I've made the same observation about Florence but haven't figured out how to ask her about it yet. Truth be told, I didn't get any sleep last night either, too busy thinking about what my girl told me on our call. About her parents' behavior, what we did besides talking, and of course, her last words before she hung up on me so suddenly.

You can't imagine the time I spent thinking about those three small words.

Florence chuckles. "Why thanks, Jamie. I couldn't set my book down all night." I take a closer look at her since I've barely been able to do that today so far. Her eyes are red and puffy and she really does look tired. If it weren't for the smile on her face, I'd be worried. As it is, my girl seems genuinely cheery and I won't put it past her to have read all night.

I pull the girl closer, having the sudden urge to hold her again. It's been too long.

What I didn't expect was Florence to stiffen in my arms before pulling away. She straightens her back awkwardly and smiles, leans over, and kisses me on the cheek before returning her attention to my friends.

Well, that was weird. Maybe she's just not in the mood for cuddles.

As the break goes on, I can't help but notice that Florence is avoiding me. Not in the sense of moving away from me physically but she's not really looking at me and barely speaks to me. When the guys are busy talking about something else, I decide to ask her about it.

"Hey, are you alright?" I lower my voice and lean in a bit.

"Of course," she says but her eyes are bouncing around my face nervously, betraying her.

"Is it about what we did? If I took it too far or said something you didn't like, I'm really sorry. Please tell me if that's the case." The girl blinks at me for a beat but after a second, realization dawns on her face. Red splotches creep up her neck and cheeks and she smiles sheepishly.

"You certainly don't have to worry about that," she tells me with enough conviction to make me believe her.

"Then... is it about what you said?" I ask slowly. This time, my girl understands quicker and my stomach clenches in anticipation of her answer.

"Oh, that. Just forget about it," she says, not meeting my eyes and chuckling again.

"Did you mean it?" I prod slowly.

"Yeah," she admits before quickly going on. "But I shouldn't have said it. I know it's too soon and it's really no problem if you don't feel the same way," she rambles.

"Florence, look at me." I cup her face, relishing in the way she leans into the touch. Then I press my lips to her, a quick and gentle gesture but it does the trick since she seems calm now.

Meanwhile, my heart is beating in my throat as I'm trying to gather my courage. I've never told anyone what I'm about to tell this girl but I know it's the right thing. I know it's the truth so it's only fair to tell her.

"I love you," I tell her softly. My girl perks up at that and it's adorable. She looks like a dog when its owner is about to come home.