library hearts

20 | blood

A/N: only 1.4K words today, but i just had to end it like it did. you'll understand when you read the end luvvys

After a couple of silly moments, hugs, poses and stuck-out tongues, the photo strip rolls out of a socket in the wall. I'm first to the front and receive it between thumb and forefinger. Out comes another copy, which Aren catches before it falls to the floor.

I start laughing immediately. "This is horrible!"

I show London the pictures, and she starts laughing, too. Aren sinks down with his back against the wall, covering his mouth with his hand as he laughs.

Suddenly, we feel like a real friend group. A kind of friend group that takes silly photos in a booth, laughing their ass of looking at them afterwards.

And it touches me, for the first time, that I could probably be friends with Aren.

I can just hope that London didn't lie about liking him – I remind myself to talk to her about this later.

We take a couple of more photos, so everybody gets two strips. Then we play some shuffleboard, me and London against Aren, and for every hour that passes, I have more fun and think less of her.

If I had a The Sims-happiness level machine, it'd probably be on a strong 80 of 100.

When we've said goodbye to Viliam, Aren walks me home together with London. And when they both stand at my gate, looking at me, I realize what this actually means.

Two persons stands outside the front of house waiting for me to goodbye them. Two persons that I've – without the help of Atlas, or my parents, or school – got to know in the last few days.

I take a step forward to Aren and pat him on the head, because I don't know how to behave around friends.

It's like London is something else, more than a normal friend – easier to talk to, easier to be around.

Aren's more of a normal friend.

"Did I prove you wrong?" he says, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe" I say.

He sighs, but his gaze isn't mad at all. "Give me one more chance, please."

"It's too late" I say, watching him tilt his head in confusion. "You've already passed the test."

His gaze softens. "This was really fun. I'd as well redo it."

"Oh, don't get too confident" I tease him. "Just kidding. I would, too."

"Me too" says London.

"Goodbye, then!" says Aren, walking backwards out onto the street.

I wave at him and he waves back.

Then, I turn to London. She's kind of staring at me, a smile stretching over her lips. I grin. "What are you looking at?"

London shakes her head, but doesn't stop looking at me. "You" say says, her gaze flickering down towards my lips.

It's like my heart stops, and the voice in the back of my head starts screaming.

Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her.

I take a step back. "Can't you come in?"

London shrugs. "What's the clock?"

I take a quick look at my phone. "Half past five."

"I'm sorry. I better get home" she says, sounding honestly sad about it.

"It's okay. We'll meet tomorrow, won't we?"