The Math of Love

Chapter 7 - Nicknames

Maya

As expected, Gregory loved the lemonade and though it took him a while to admit it, he finally decided to be honest and accept the fact he had lost and now owes me a favor. I have yet to decide what I want him to do for me and he promised that he would give me time to think it over because he was sure I would forget about it. What he does not know is that this is the best news I have received in a while and will not forget that he needs to do something for me.

We finish our lemonades and he offers to give me a ride home, and because it is a very tempting offer, I accept.

On the ride home he tells me that it is such a short ride and no wonder I chose not to live on campus. He says that I am 'lucky' that I don't have to drive almost 2 hours home, which he confesses is his commute. I agree and tell him that I feel sorry for him.

He proceeds to ask me why I don't drive.

"I mean, I just thought someone like you would have their license already," he scoffs.

 "I do have it. I am just scared of driving and to be honest with you, I enjoy walking home, so be grateful I even accepted your offer to give me a ride since I usually prefer walking," I reply.

He just stares at me for a couple of seconds and puts his eyes back on the road. On the short ride home I noticed that his car is surprisingly clean and it smells like mint. It is not a strong smell like the ones that overwhelm you. It is the kind of smell that you like, that embraces you and makes you feel nice.

I get this weird sort of mirage in my head. Me and Gregory in his car going on a date. I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside and I quickly shake the thought off my head. He and I are not even friends and I am already fantasizing about going on dates with him?

Gregory seems concentrated, and once we arrive at my apartment complex, I prompt to get out of the car quickly in order to avoid further conversations - I still have the feeling and image I had earlier lingering in my head and heart.

"Thank you for the ride. I will see you later," I tell him and close the door quickly.

As I walk away from the car, I hear a car door opening and I see Gregory peeking above his car.

 "Jesus, you weren't even going to let me say bye to you? I thought after today we could become friends and all."

When I look at his face I see a hint of hurt in his eyes, and that look that he gave me makes me feel something, and for some reason I feel like hugging him all of a sudden.

 "Sorry. I'm in a bit of a rush. Take care alright?" I say as I'm about to turn around. 

 "I will see you later May," he replies. 

    "May? Excuse you? What makes you think you have the right to give me a nickname?"  I ask him annoyed.

    "I gave you a ride home. That gives me all the rights," he replies with a smirk on his face.

    "Wow, remind me never to accept a ride home from you ever again," I say and I only hear him chuckle.

I give him a shy smile back and go inside my apartment. I greet my parents and submerge myself in my bed that night, trying to ignore whatever feelings were stirring up inside me.

*******

The next morning is a Saturday morning and we only have a little time left to submit our confirmation forms to go on the trip to New York. My friends and I have planned to go to a coffee shop today to do some studying, but I know better, it is a plan to try to convince me to go on the trip. What they don't know is that I have already made the decision to go because my mom convinced me that I need to go out more often.

Clarissa got to the place before any of us and I decide to tell her about the afternoon I spent with Gregory.

 "Wait, he gave you a ride home? TELL ME EVERYTHING!" She demands.

 "Yeah, tell us everything," Jennice chimes in.

 "You don't even know what we are talking about," I tell her once I acknowledge her presence and make space for her at the table.

She shrugs her shoulders.

 "And? If it's about you and a boy, I want to know the details."

I end up telling them what happened and confessing the fact that he makes me feel some sort of way, but assure them that he is not my crush or anything like it. That, maybe that feeling is just the fact that we are becoming closer and will soon be friends.

They continue to insist that I like him and that they sense he likes me. I decide to ignore them and simply focus on the assignments at hand. They tell me they will not give up on the Gregory subject, but that there were matters that were more important to discuss at the moment.

As predicted, they start to talk about the trip, but what I did not expect, was for them to pull out a whole PowerPoint with the pros and cons of the trip. In the cons, the only thing they had was me and they made their point clear by stating that there was really no good reason not to go.

I let them get to the end of their presentation and tease them by saying that I will still not go to the trip. They get a little upset, but finally settle on respecting my decision.

Before going home I order them a chocolate cake pop each and tell them I will go on the trip. They jump up and down, shove the cake pops in their mouths and hug me.

Jennice drops us both home, and I decide to rest for the remaining part of the day. Today, my cousins were home so I decide to play video games with them. I end up losing as always. That is how I end my day and wait for what comes tomorrow.

Note from author:

Another chapter is here to keep you engaged. It looks like Gregory and Maya's relationship is starting to grow...? We shall see! Thank you for taking the time to read and for giving me a chance. I hope to see you here next week for another chapter!

Take care! <3