The Supernova Effect

Chapter 19

Daisuke

Daisuke

The sun was starting to set by the time I pulled onto the main road, turning the sky shades of orange and pink through the windshield.

Nova sat beside me scrolling through music on my phone while softly humming along to whatever song played through the speakers.

I kept glancing over at her every couple seconds without realizing it.

Just checking she was still there.

Ever since she came back, part of me still expected her to disappear again.

Maybe that's why I kept trying to create moments with her.

Small ones.

Good ones.

Like if I made enough memories, she'd have more reasons to stay.

Nova finally looked over from the passenger seat catching me staring.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're smiling at me weird."

I laugh quietly, shaking my head.

"You think everything weird."

"Mhm," she hums suspiciously before narrowing her eyes. "Where are you taking me?"

"You'll find out soon."

I rub my hand over her thigh, and she lets out a soft laugh.

"You always trying to surprise me."

"I gotta surprise you every once in a while."

A few minutes later I pull into the parking lot of the skate park and her entire face lights up.

"I haven't been skating since you took me last time."

"Let's see if you remember what I taught you."

"Let's hope I do."

I grab my skateboard from the trunk before reaching for her hand and leading her toward the park.

The place is busy enough to feel alive but not packed.

Music echoes from someone's speaker nearby while skateboards scrape against concrete.

I guide her toward a quieter section before setting my skateboard down in front of her.

"If I fall, you better not laugh."

"I better keep you from falling then," I tease.

She rolls her eyes before stepping onto the board carefully, grabbing my shoulder for balance.

"You remember how to push off?"

She nods confidently before pushing off with her left foot.

I stare at her in disbelief.

"What?" she asks immediately.

"You're goofy foot?"

"What does that even mean?"

"You push with your left foot instead of your right. I definitely didn't teach you that."

"Is that bad?"

"No," I laugh. "But people might make fun of you."

"When you say people, do you mean you?"

"Maybe."

She narrows her eyes at me.

"Me and my goofy foot are superior, so I don't care."

I can already see her trying not to smile.