Blooming Youth

Chapter IV | Just a Crush

Lottie Moore

Noticing my weird behavior, Luna squinted her eyes, inspecting better the fifth person. "Oh snap! Is that Seth Fisher?!"

As if he had heard us, he turned his attention from his friends to us, his eyes locking with mine. My body froze under his gaze. With no chance of escaping now, I did the only thing that came to my mind: hiding behind the counter, earning a questioning look from Luna.

"Smooth, bro. Real smooth."

I shushed her and stayed down. I knew that it was a futile attempt, but it was the only thing that had jumped to mind in the heat of the moment. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, wishing he could just turn around and go the other way. Nonetheless, my prayers weren't heard as the hanging doorbell dinged and the sound of footsteps increased until it stopped right on the other side of the counter, a big shadow looming over me.

Slowly swallowing, I looked up and was immediately pulled in by deep chocolate eyes gazing at me intensely and a silly dorky grin present on his lips, revealing two cute dimples. Before I knew it, a tinted blush soon appeared on my face. I just hoped he wouldn't be able to hear how hard and fast my heart was pounding. I was in a daze that I barely heard what he had said next, his voice coming out like honey.

"Hey there, Lottie! How's everything down there?

That's when I remembered the embarrassing situation I had put myself in, so I scrambled back to my feet, almost banging my head on Seth's chin if he hadn't backed away a little. I smoothed my hair and apron and let out a nervous laugh.

"H-hi, Seth! Sorry for that! I was just... picking up the pen I had dropped! Yeah, that's it!"

"You mean that one?" He smirked, pointing at the blue pen securely attached to the apron pocket. I stared blankly at it while Luna facepalmed.

"Ah." The redness dusting my cheeks traveled down my neck in pure embarrassment. I groaned mentally at my own stupidity. Could this day get any better?! As I was crying internally, a hand soon rested on top of my head, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I see you haven't changed a bit." For that remark, I pouted at him. Seth took notice of this and ruffled my hair, causing me to whine as he chuckled softly. As I gazed at him and saw his warm smile, it made me feel all giddy inside. Only he could make me feel like this. Unfortunately, a forced cough made us divert our attention.

Luna was standing beside us with folded arms, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. The expression on her face showed how uncomfortable she was feeling, witnessing all that lovey-dovey display. Luna wondered if it should have been better to leave the two of them alone, however, seeing how tremendously nervous Lottie was, tumbling with her fingers, she decided to stay put and wait for the best moment to intervene.

"So Seth, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Ah, that's right! I almost forgot. Well, my mother texted me earlier, exclaiming that she had ordered a dozen cupcakes for a book club meeting she was hosting. However, she's stuck at work so she can't get here on time, that's why she asked me to come and get them for her. It's probably in her name, Patricia Fisher."

"G-gotcha! I'll g-get them right...!" As I was heading for the kitchen, a hand rested on my shoulder, stopping me.

"Don't worry! I go. You guys just wait here and have fun while you're at it." Luna grinned at Seth who looked confused with his head tilted, not understanding the ulterior motive behind her words, unlike me who knew immediately what she was trying to do. I begged her with my eyes not to leave me alone, but she just whispered 'Good luck' in my ear and patted me on the back before disappearing through the door that led to the kitchen.