Needle In A Haystack (EarthMix AU)

Chapter 7 - Cinnamon and oats

"So uhm..." "See you Tuesday?" "Yeah, see you Tuesday, Earth." "Yeah, Tuesday." "Sorry about-" "Don't worry about it." Earth shook his head and Mix awkwardly smiled. How many times in the past few days did they almost kiss only to be interrupted by something unexpected? At first by the lake, as Mix leaned closer for Earth to kiss him, a loud croak of a nearby frog freaked him out so much Mix accidentally smashed his forehead into Earth's chin, causing them to both wince in pain. Mix muttered awkward apologies the entire walk back into Earth's room, and that wasn't the only instance. Next time they tried to kiss, Khao surprised them by popping from behind the wall and snapping pictures, running away with laughter as Earth chased him around the house. By far worst was the instance day earlier, when they hugged behind a barn and Earth tripped over his own foot, sending Mix flying backwards into a big trough full of very fresh manure. Mortified about what he has done Earth tried to pull him out only to fall on top of Mix and pushing him even deeper. Earth watched in terror as Mix pulled himself up and stared at him for a long minute before he bursted out laughing and nearly topled over with his body covered in the stinky stuff from head to toe. Nuean, who has seen the whole ordeal, hosed him down and Mix had to waddle into the bathroom wrapped in a tarp. Their chances for a kiss got even more spare when Sunday morning rolled up and Mix knew he had to go home. One last ride on a horse back, one big lunch and talk with Nuean, one last time petting Hani. Earth offered to walk Mix at least to the fork in the road and Mix graciously accepted as he wasn't exactly sure of the way. He pushed his bicycle one hand while the other confidently grabbed Earth's and their fingers entwined.

"I had a really great time this week. Thank you..." Mix smiled as they came to a stop at the crossroad and he turned to Earth to face him more directly. He felt his cheeks get warm as soon as they made eye contact and Mix had to look down at their joined hands to avoid blushing too much. "I uhm...when we're at school, could you please not avoid me? You know, considering..." His thumb rubbed Earth's hand gently. Why was it so hard to say his feelings when they already seemed to cross the friendship boundary? "I won't if you won't." Earth gave Mix's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I won't. So see you Tuesday." "Yeah..." It took them another ten minutes of just string at their connected hands before they finally separated, only for Mix to get grabbed once again by the arm. "Wait, Mix..." Earth spun him around, a flash of panic went over his face. He wasn't sure what to do but he knew he couldn't just let Mix go like that. As he moved closer Mix hesitantly closed his eyes, bashful from the sudden movement, only to feel Earth's lips on his forehead. He could feel that spot burning even as he drifted off to sleep hours later.

Monday

"What's wrong with you?" "Hm?" "I've been talking to you for like a minute now." Niam raised an eyebrow when his cousin kept staring into space and barely touched his lunch. Mix nodded as he absentmindedly stabbed a piece of broccoli and lazily chewed it. Since when did Mondays became so tediously long? He glanced towards the empty seat at the back and sighed again. "Where were you last week?" Niam asked, stealing a piece of chicken from Mix's lunchbox. "I went by your place and auntie said you're out. Where did you go?" "Just went to see a friend." "For a whole week? What the hell did you even do?" Mix couldn't stop his lips from turning into a stupid grin as he recalled the events he kept daydreaming about all day. He pushed away his barely touched food and Niam quickly seized it, tossing the meat and veggies onto his own. "Just stuff. Hey by the way, did you finish the history essay? What was your topic?" "Women's suffrage movement." Niam rolled his eyes. "Seriously?" Mix chuckled. "So you get a cool topic about human rights and I got survival cannibalism? Damn." "But at least I got to do it with Mey." Niam said as he returned the empty lunchbox and glanced towards a blonde classmate happily chatting with her friends. "I think I'll ask her out for the discotheque this weekend." "The what now?" Mix raised an eyebrow. Niam grabbed his cousin's head and forcefully turned it towards the classroom door where a big bright poster hung askew.