Petty Happenings

XIII. (thirteen)

The young woman had noticed Novaleen squirming about, so she plugged in her earbuds and carefully halted her conversation with Zayn. She thought she had been selfish--the other two had barely talked on the train ride, and that was an issue. The young woman knew they had to get more comfortable together or they'd second-guess themselves on their date.

And so she, being the responsible, matchmaker she had stumbled upon being, turned her music up blissfully loud and avoided looking to the left, giving the couple as much privacy as they could have in their situation.

Novaleen sighed, opening her eyes from a bittersweet nap once again. She really needed to keep awake, all this sleep would leave her up all night! With the nervousness of starting school on Monday, however, she might not have sleep the following nights either way.

Novaleen glanced to her right, finding Missy to be listening to music on her cell phone. She saw the girl tapping her finger and smiled faintly. She really was sweet, just incredibly shy.

Then she shifted her gaze forward and bit her lip on the fond smile she couldn't help. Zayn was in his sketchbook, scribbling quickly and smearing edges with his pointer finger. He was awfully in-tuned to it, hunched forward and nose a mere foot away from the paper. Novaleen shuffled a bit more, sitting back up in here seat.

"Whatchya drawing?" she asked softly. Zayn looked up quickly, sending her a flustered smile before continuing his work.

"A picture for Missy. She, uh, mentioned she wanted a kitten, but her crazed aunts only gave her fish."

Novaleen nodded in understanding. "So you're drawing, uhh," she leaned forward, "A kitten looking into a fish bowl! With a pretty little fish in it."

Zayn chuckled. "Exactly. And no, don't worry, she can't hear us talking."

"Oh! Right, I didn't even think about that. Would've ruined the surprise, huh?" She laughed nervously, scratching her arm.

"S'alright, it isn't that original, anyhow. But considering I can tell when song she's listening to from here..."

"Hah, luckily."

"Yup, yup."

Silent pause.

"I'm an idiot," Novaleen muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Uhm, nothing! Just commenting on how it's really sweet that you're doing that for her. I'm certain she'll love it," she said hurriedly, covering up for herself.

"I hope so. Thanks, Nove." Zayn smiled shyly, looking up from the drawing through his lashes. Novaleen's heart may have stuttered.

Falling for a boy you've met only hours ago, smooth move, idiot.

She shook her head as if physically shaking the thought out. No need for that, they do have a date together after all.

"You and her seem really close," Novaleen said before she could stop herself. She cringed at how accusing she sounded.