Nova's Universe

Chapter 25 (2032)

Roger

"That's it for today, Roger. See you tomorrow," my coworker called out, waving as he walked away from the dragon enclosure. I waved back, waiting until his figure disappeared around the corner.

My coworkers had long ago given up on walking me home. I always stayed behind "to check on something." Sometimes, it was an excuse to avoid socialising. Other times, I'd observed them during the day and noticed they weren't as meticulous as I was. So, I'd make up an excuse to fix their work after they left. The only person I ever worked with who didn't need corrections and whom I fully trusted was Dad. Still, I'd occasionally observe him and his work, simply because it filled me with joy to see someone who cared for dragons as much as I did.

Once I was sure the coast was clear, I walked back to the enclosure, carefully closing the gate behind me. I made my way to the water bowl of our Common Welsh Greens. We were expecting eggs any day now, and mothers-to-be always needed more water than Ted provided for them.

Finished with filling another bowl, I leaned against the gate, mentally running through a checklist to ensure everything was in order. Just as I was about to leave, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I whirled around abruptly, expecting to see Ted returning.

"Hi, Roger, thought I might find you here," Illa giggled, now just a few steps from the gate.

Seeing her, my chest felt lighter. Unlike Ted, who'd bombard me with questions about why I stayed behind, Illa's presence was a welcome one.

"Hi, Illa. Finished for the day?"

"Yes, all done. You too, or are you on another 'everything's okay' patrol?" she teased, one of the rare people besides my dad and Andrei who knew about my after-work dragon check-ins.

"Just leaving," I mumbled, exiting the enclosure and securing the gate.

"Walk me home?" she grinned.

"Of course," I replied, my cheeks burning. Another week had flown by, and I still hadn't asked her out.

My sisters' advice echoed in my head, but no matter how much time we spent together or how many walks we shared, no moment felt quite right to ask. The pressure was getting to me. I longed for a date with her as much as I craved being alone.

"Any bets on when they'll have eggs?" Illa asked as we reached the bottom of the hill.

"Ted says next week, but I think this weekend," I declared proudly. I always beat him at predicting when the dragons would lay their eggs.

"This weekend, it is," Illa chuckled. "You're unbeatable with these things." I simply smiled, unsure how to respond.

Her initiative in our conversations, however, was another source of frustration. I longed to ask her so many things, but social interaction wasn't exactly my forte. Therapy sessions and countless doctors hadn't prepared me for talking to a girl I liked.

I usually kept to myself or interacted with people who initiated conversations. Luna Dora and even Aoede, the chatty sister, paled in comparison to my best friend, Dominique, the most talkative person ever. Thankfully, conversation flowed with Illa, unlike the awkward silences I endured with my friends not knowing what to add. With her, I wanted more than just easy conversation. There were things I yearned to know about her, but I remained silent, offering only awkward smiles.

Gazing at her tucking a stray hair behind her ear, she looked stunning. I had to say something, anything, to break the silence. Not that it bothered me, and she seemed content too. The first thing that popped out was, "Think Moose would be up for mating?" Seriously, Roger?