Petrichor

Ryan

       It turned out Mikhail and I had a lot in common. We liked a lot of the same movies and games. It had never felt so easy talking to someone, not even Allen. I had only known the guy for a few weeks but it felt like I had known him forever.

Okay, I cringed a little just thinking that last part.

"Why are you smiling so much. What are you thinking about." Mikhail asked.

It was a Saturday afternoon. I had invited him over to my house to hang out and we were sitting down at the foot of my bed playing Mario Kart.

"About how much you suck at Mario Kart." I tease.

"I'm not even doing that bad, you're just cheating somehow." He retorts indignantly.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that." I grin.

I was done with the race already but he wasn't even on his second lap yet. I toss my controller onto my bed and pick up my phone. Allen had sent me a text.

Allen: Hey, are you busy right now?

Ryan: Mikhail and I are hanging out at my place. Why.

Allen: Again? I'm beginning to think he's replacing me as the best friend. :(

Ryan: Bold of you to assume you were ever 'the best friend'.

Allen: You make me sad.

Ryan: Love you too, bb.

I turn off my phone and look back up at the TV screen. "You seriously managed to get disqualified."

"That drop came out of nowhere!" He whined, tossing his arms up in the air. "This game is so rigged."

I pat him on the back, shaking my head like a disappointed parent. "Quite the sore loser aren't we."

He brushes of my hand with a laugh. "Okay fine, I suck. Happy?"

"Extremely."

Our eyes meet and we kind of hold each other's gaze for a little too long. I turn away nervously. "So, want another rematch?"

"I think I've had enough Mario Kart for... forever," he sighs wistfully. "Actually... I think I'd rather talk to you."

As he says that he turns to meet my gaze again. And this time I don't turn away. Even though direct eye contact for long periods of time make me really uncomfortable in general. Maybe it's just me but when I have to look someone in the eye for so long I feel the uncontrollable urge to giggle. Which kinda makes things awkward when it's a serious conversation.

"Why would you wanna do that." I ask.

"Because I want to get to know you better." He answers matter-of-factly.