Ambivalently Yours

The Sleepover

"I need a few things from the grocery store. Do you want to come with me later?" Liz asks. You were on your way back to the apartment after classes Friday afternoon.

"Yeah I'll tag along," you reply. "I need a couple things, too." Anything to make the time go quicker. Kelce wasn't leaving to go home for the weekend for a few more hours. Rafe had made a point to mention this to you as you walked back to your cars after class just a little while ago. They had plans to grab dinner together before Kelce left, and Rafe was supposed to text you when he was gone.

"So what are we going to get into this weekend since the boys will be gone?" she asks.

"Oh, it's only Kelce that's leaving," you say.

"I thought they usually went home the same weekends since they're from the same place. Saving gas money or whatever," she says.

This was true. There had been a weekend or two since you all started hanging out where they had rode back home together. Up until Rafe had kissed you last Friday at their party, he had planned on carpooling with him and visiting home this time, too. He'd changed his mind when he realized Kelce's absence left him with a chance to be alone with you.

"Yeah, usually, but not this time," you say casually, hoping she doesn't put the pieces together.

"So Rafe is all alone in his apartment this weekend," she says slyly. "Do you think he'd want to come over and hang out?" she asks a little too inquisitively. "You know, so he doesn't get bored?"

"Well, actually..."

"He asked you to come over, didn't he?" she asks.

"He might've," you reply.

She shoots you a look. "Based on how you interacted with him today, I think I know how it's going to go."

Today had been good. You were still a little unsure how to act around him, but after his first sarcastic comment at your expense, you slipped right back into your usual snarky back and forth for the rest of the day. The quick, fleeting kiss he'd planted on you before he'd hopped in his car to leave had been the icing on the cake.

You hum out a response. "We can discuss your theories in the morning."

"In the morning?" she repeats dramatically.

"Oh, grow up, Liz," you scoff.

"Listen, I'm happy for you. It's been a while since you've hooked up with anyone."

"It hasn't been that long," you say.

She gives you another look. "You and Colin broke up right after Thanksgiving. That was almost a year ago."

"I'm just not a casual hook up kind of person like you. And you know there is no judgement from me about that," you add when she cocks an eyebrow at you. "But that's not how I operate."

"I know, I know," she sighs. "God knows I've tried to get you to sleep around a little after your breakup. I saw some potential there for a while when you were making out with every guy who bought you a drink, but that was as far as you got."

You laugh and swat at her even though you're driving. "I hate you."

"You love me," she says, giving you a cheesy grin.

~

The sight of Rafe's name popping up on your phone a couple hours later gets all your nerve endings buzzing immediately. Liz gives you a knowing look as you begin to gather a few things you need for your overnight stay.

"Are you nervous?" she asks.

"No," you lie. "What do I have to be nervous about?"

"Oh, you sweet summer child," she says. "It took you a week to get your shit together and kiss a second time."