Effervescent

Chapter 6

Romeo

It has been a week since I last saw Athena, and it seems she forgot about my offer since I haven't heard from her. I anticipated as much, which is exactly why I made her give me her number rather than simply have her save mine. I meant what I said to her that day; I want to have a way to contact her.

The only issue I'm facing is balancing the line between being stalkerish and showing interest. Interested I sure am, have been from the second I saw her, but I don't want to scare her off. Ugh, but it's not because I'm insanely attracted to her that I want to keep seeing her. Nope, I still haven't figured out if I got too close to her in that shed- not that I believe that, but I haven't made sure yet- and I feel the need to make it up to her if I did.

At least that's what I keep telling myself whenever my thoughts stray to her and my fingers hover over her contact... I have a million things to do and even more matters to worry about, yet she finds a way to stay on my mind. It's maddening, and I need to find a solution.

It's Friday night when I decide that the solution is checking in... In a fully professional way, of course, simply by asking how biology was going. I'm not trying to be sleazy and slide in her DMs or something. Just a friendly check-up.

I just texted her after two hours of working my body at the gym, trying to get my mind in that blank state I love so much yet unable to achieve it. It's unlike me to have a split focus and I don't like it.

I nearly have the gym all to myself, a small grace that isn't uncommon for a Friday night. Over the last week, I realized the gym truly was the best thing about campus; well-equipped and not overly crowded. There's no obnoxious pop music playing in the background, allowing me to train with one AirPod rather than two. That way, I still hear the familiar sounds of weights being released a little too harshly and the heavy breathing one gets by hitting a new PR. It's my happy place.

My phone starts ringing as I finish another set of bicep curls, and I all but drop the dumbbells, half expecting it to be Athena. When I see my little sister's name light up on my screen, I can't deny the sliver of disappointment. Or the following guilt that clogs my throat as I answer.

Who am I to be disappointed to hear from my sister? I love Leya with my whole heart and she already calls a lot less often now that she started High School. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss hearing her voice daily. She's the only piece of home I wished I could have taken here with me.

"Brother Stevensen on the phone, how can I help you today, Princess?" I answer light-heartedly, still catching my breath from my last set. Although, my sister's follow-up sure makes me lose my breath altogether.

"Why are you breathing so heavily? Eww, did I interrupt you during sex?" she asks, sounding outraged, as if hearing that word from my baby sister's lips wasn't the true crime here.

"Leya! God, you've been in High School for a week and this is how your mind works? Can we turn back time, please? Jesus," I huff. Thinking back to my time at High School, I'd much rather Leya didn't have to go there already. It's where boys get horny and cocky and girls get played and heartbroken.

"Romeo! You still didn't answer. You know what, I don't think I want you to, either. Just know that next time, you better not pick up while you're doing... that. I'd imagine it would seriously piss off any girl you were with. Or guy, maybe? I heard college is where you experiment... Ugh, now I'm thinking about my brother's interest in crossing swords. This is seriously the time for you to interrupt me and distract me so these horrid pictures can leave my mind." Even over the phone, I can imagine the way she shudders.

I decide to put her out of her misery and click on the FaceTime button so she can see me, but before she accepts, I hear her screech. Right into my ear thanks to the headphones. "Eww, Romeo, I don't need to see the pictures in my head come to life!"