Aadhi stretches his legs out beside me, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.
"See, man? You're fine. Things will take their course, trust me." He claps me on the shoulder, grinning like this whole thing is already sorted. "Plus, I'm happy for you. Kiara seems really nice."
I nod absentmindedly, my eyes glued to my phone screen. I can't believe Kiara hasn't been in a real relationship before. With a face like that... I shake the thought away before it gets too far.
She's more than just her looks. But still, it surprises me.
My thumb scrolls up to reread her message for the tenth time, my stomach twisting with embarrassment. A wave of secondhand embarrassment crashes over me- except it's from myself.
"Dude, I probably freaked her out, asking that question," I groan, leaning back against the curb.
Aadhi chuckles and shakes his head. "Nah, you're overthinking it." Before I can react, he gently snatches the phone from my hand. "Here, lemme help you out."
"Dude, Aadhi!" I yell as my voice cracks, running a hand through my hair as panic sets in.
What is he typing? A love confession? A declaration of eternal devotion?
"Relax, man, look." He waves the phone in front of me, the smug look on his face making me want to both punch and thank him at the same time.
I glance at the screen and feel a small wave of relief wash over me. He typed:
Me: Did I make things awkward with that question?
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, nodding in approval. "Alright, fine. You didn't screw it up."
Aadhi leans back, crossing his arms like he just solved all my problems. "Told you, I got your back."
I take my phone back, leaning forward as I stare at the screen, waiting for Kiara to respond. Each second feels like an eternity.
Finally, my phone buzzes, and my heart does this stupid little jump. It's her.
Kiara: No, it's fine! It wasn't awkward. Just caught me off guard, lol!
"Okay, that's not horrible, right?" I ask Aadhi, who's playing with his fingernails.
Aadhi grins. "Not at all. See? Told you she's cool."
I nod, but I'm still thinking about how close I came to overthinking everything. Kiara's chill, but I don't want to mess this up by saying something stupid... again. My mind keeps flipping back to the way she smiled at me at the dance, how we had that weird but cute moment afterward.
"You're still overthinking it," Aadhi says, reading my expression like a book. "Chill. Just be yourself, bro. You got this."
I look up at him, raising an eyebrow. "Be myself, huh? Isn't that what got me into this awkward mess in the first place?"
Aadhi laughs, clapping me on the back again. "Fair point. But hey, maybe awkward Theo is exactly what Kiara likes if that's what got you to know her in the first place."
I shake my head, but a small smile tugs at my lips. Maybe he's right.
Aadhi stands up abruptly, stretching his arms above his head.
"Alright, man, I've gotta go meet Dahlia. But seriously, don't sweat it. Kiara's into you, I can feel it."
I give him a nod, though I'm still stuck in my thoughts. As he walks away, I sit on the curb for a moment longer, staring at the spot where he just was. The warmth of the conversation fades, leaving a small pit of uncertainty behind.
Why did I even ask her that question?
I stand up, shove my phone into my pocket, and head home, my footsteps falling into rhythm with the collection of thoughts in my head.
As I walk, the streets are quieter than usual, the sky starting to turn that soft orange before sunset. I didn't realize how long it had been since I left home.
I run a hand through my hair. If Kiara's anything like me, she's probably thinking about every awkward word I said. My chest tightens at the thought. I didn't mean to make things weird. I just... wanted to know where she's at. See if we're on the same page.
I glance at my phone again; no new messages. I swipe it open anyway, just to reread our conversation. It gives me an awkward blanket of closure to realize that there's someone who I look forward to talking to besides Aadhi, even if she doesn't know it.
Maybe Aadhi was right. I should let things unfurl slowly. But at the same time, I can't wait.
By the time I reach home, the sun's disappearing behind the trees. I push open the front door, already bracing myself for the silence. As usual, there's no sign of my dad. I toss my bag onto the wall of my bed and kick off my shoes, the empty house greeting me like always.
The distant hum of the TV echoes from the living room- probably Mom zoning out again to her soap operas. They had another fight this morning.
Or was it last night? I've stopped keeping track.
I pass the hallway mirror, catching my reflection. For a second, I wonder if Kiara's ever sensed there's this side of me. The part of me that deals with all this crap at home. Probably not. How could she, if I've never brought it up? I keep this side buried, like a treasure chest that doesn't have anything good inside, just cobwebs and dust.
Flopping down on my bed, I pull out my phone and stare at it again.
Kiara's name is at the top of the screen. Maybe she's different. Maybe I don't have to keep this part of me hidden from her.
But that's crazy, right? No one would want to see this side of me.
A/n: Are we growing slightly more fond of Aadhi?
What are some ship names for Kiara and Theo?
Keo? Tiara? Thara? Tihaeroa?
Idek. Bye guys! Love you <3
