Learning to Bow

Chapter 17: The Fall

Nature buzzed. Exiting the subway, Jack and I sat on a rickety bus stop bench by the street. I tried to ignore the gang of teenagers in the subway watching us curiously through the fast food window. I took nervous breaths, keeping my eyes away from Jack.

"Are you truly considering it?" Jack asked softly. I bit my lip and turned to him. He looked understanding, but resigned. His words asked if I was considering it, considering leaving his family to live with my real family, but his eyes asked if I had made a decision yet. I couldn't answer both questions the same way. I nodded to him and he looked down.

"I see," he said.

A nice breeze blew past us, rustling the leaves in the trees. I nudged a small space into the gravel below the bench awkwardly as time passed us. Trying to draw a bunny with the tip of my converse one star toe. The poor shoes were dirty already considering Sandstone's lack of paving.

I considered carrying on some conversation.

What do you think of the humidity?

No, that's a stupid question.

So, school. Maybe you can help me find my first class...

Too suggestive.

Can you think of any interesting questions for my workbook for Willow? I'm already half-way thr--

"You're beautiful," Jack stated. I turned to him surprised, my face suddenly burning under the gentle sunlight. "Sorry," he added, "You just looked like you were concentrating so hard. I just..." He looked down, a slight tinge of pink becoming visible on his cheek. I feared the thumping in my chest was audible. I attempted changing the embarrassing topic, my mind coming up with the first thing I could think of.

"You had a very specific request for your sandwich in there," I stated before turning away. I allowed my hair to block my face from his view.

"Ah, yes." He replied, his voice a little more confident than before. "The details were important." I thought back to his order.

"You must have your tomato toasted," I stated, turning to him again, a grin across my face. He smiled back, his eyes shining.

"And salted," he added.

"Before being toasted. Heaven forbid they salt it after," I crossed my legs and laughed, leaning into the bench comfortably. Jack gave me a faux offended expression.

"It's important, really! The salt causes the tomato to dehydrate sooner, and the toasting expedites the process," he explained passionately.

"Oh really?" I asked with a grin, the wind blew a few strands of hair in my face. I draped them behind my ear. "Did you learn that from your stellar education?" I asked cockily.

"Yup," he replied and leaned closer to me, "Cooking 101." He smiled, his gorgeous chocolate brown eyes suddenly closer to mine. His perfect face waiting as he looked back at me curiously. I tried to catch my breath. I blinked twice, roping in my thoughts. Cooking 101. I giggled when I realized what he'd said.

"Took me long enough," I said half-heartedly. He sat back and laughed. He was blushing again. I was certain so was I.

I turned a curious eye back towards Subway. The others were talking amongst themselves, taking a few moments to notice me watching them. Willow waved. I waved back.

"Um, Ara." Jack said. I glanced his way. His hand was rubbing the back of his neck slowly. He looked hesitant and unsure.

"Jack?" I asked. A certain warmness settled in the pit of my stomach and slowly spread to the rest of my body. It was difficult to place. Some cross between excitement, hope and fear. It felt as though for a moment, the wind was pushing me towards him. I moved with it, leaning forward.