actions speak louder than words {karlnap}

chapter 12

(Karl POV)

I get back to the dorm as Alex is unloading homework. I click the door shut and meander over to my bed. I guess I surprise him -- he turns and jumps. 

"Oh, hi," he says, taking an Airpod from his ear. He smiles at me, and I grin back. "How are you?" he asks, pulling books and papers from his backpack. 

I shrug. Okay, you? I sign.

"Tired," he answers. "What did you get up to today?"

Nothing really, I sign. Went on a walk.

He smiles and turns to face his things. He moves back and forth from his desk and his backpack, arranging assignments and books. "That's good. Anything exciting happen?"

Found a job opportunity.

"That's good!" he exclaims. "I'm pretty sure I might need one too."

I grin. Well, don't take mine.

He laughs. "Not yours yet," he points out. I stick out my tongue at him. 

We settle into silence. Unlike the silence Nick and I suffered the weeks before I left -- upset silence -- this silence is calm and contended. It's nice.

"I'd ask if you want to go get dinner," he says, "but I have an essay due tomorrow that I need to finish. Which sucks, 'cause I was looking forward to maybe going on another date." He flashes me a flirty smile.

I force a grin on my face. I hate to admit it, but I'm kind of relieved he can't. That would mean betraying Nick further. Yet, at the same time, I'm disappointed. I would've liked to go out with him again, I think. Oh well.

I tap on his shoulder to bring his attention to me. Want me to go get dinner? I ask. 

He pauses. "You know what, that would be great," he says, smiling. "You can choose, I'm open to anything." He touches my forearm. "Thanks, Karl."

It lingers there for a moment longer than normal, and then he turns away. The skin where he touched me feels like it's burning, and I'm pretty sure my heart rate spiked. 

God, why does he remind me of a teenage girl trying to flirt but failing miserably like in all those cliche high school movies?

I check to make sure I still have my phone, keys, and earbuds, and slip my wallet into my pocket. Then I head back out.

(Nick POV)

I collapse face first into bed. I'm so bored. What did I even do before Karl? I can't remember. Probably just homework, basketball, and video games.

Wow, I was boring.

When I met Karl, at first it was the same, except pining over him was a nightly activity. Then we became a thing, and we started going out. Then he moved in.

Now he's in college.

So what now?

Bad: Hey.

Bad: What are you doing right now?

I pick up my phone to read the notifications. 

Me: laying in bed and thinking about karl

Me: don't tell dream that. he'll call me a simp

Me: why, whats up?

Bad: Dream and I are 20 minutes out, we have snacks.

Bad: Order a pizza and choose a movie.

I grin. Just because Karl isn't here doesn't mean I have to spend all my time crying over him.