The Beats of Your Heart

Chapter 6

“Are you gonna eat that?” Troy says, already reaching for the remaining mushroom slices on my plate with his fork.

“Clearly you don’t need my permission, seeing as how you’re already taking them, you might as well.” I slide the rest of my plate over to him.

(“Niiice.” Troy cheers and starts taking the mushrooms.)

(“You already have a mountain of mushrooms, what do you need those for? Don’t play with your food!”)

(“I’m not! I’ll eat them!”)

I take a sip from my coke and shake the tall glass a little, hearing the ice cubes inside rattle. I look at the people bustling outside, already having finished their lunch and getting on their vehicles. Some hailing tricycles or pedicabs.

A small nudge on my thigh.

I look away from the windows and glance at her.

She’s still busy eating her mashed potatoes.

Hm. Just an accident, then. I take another sip from my drink and continue watching people outside.

Another nudge, harder this time, followed by a hand, on my thigh.

I whip my head to look back at her. She’s put down her spoon, and is now sipping from her cherry float.

Her hand is resting on my thigh. My eyes widen as I keep looking at her.

“Yaquel? Are you okay?”

I whip my head around so quickly I could feel my neck crack from the sudden motion. “Yeah? I’m all right. You?” I say in a rush, not even understanding what I’m saying as I say them.

Reiner raises an unbelieving eyebrow at me but accepts it. He goes back to enjoying his spaghetti and lightly scolding Troy.

I look down at my tall glass and stop moving. I don’t remember putting it down. The hand still rests on my thigh. Thoughts pour out and jumble inside my head. Confusing and all-encompassing.

“Whaー” The hand slides up. I shut my mouth. I freeze in my seat.

I can feel every slight motion through my jeans pants. I can almost feel her skin. The world quiets down in seconds and a pounding heartbeat takes its place. Almost painful. Everything refocuses down on her hand.

She moves it again. Higher. Up to the folds of my jeans, where my upper thigh ends and my hips begin. And stops.

And somehow that’s even worse than when it was moving.

I take a deep, rattling breath and hold it. Savoring the air, and letting it go bit by bit. She moves it again.

Fingers trail over my stomach and I gasp.

“Yaquel, we’re going now.”

She lets go of me. I come back to our table. “What?” I say, feeling my mouth open on its own.

Reiner gives me a weird look. “We’re finished eating, I said. Are you done yet?” he says.

“Y-Yes, yes I’m fine. I’m done.” I clear my throat. “Just give me a minute.”

I could finally stand up from our seat a little while later.

•●○●•

In the ‘Marching Band’ groupchat:

Reiner: Good noon everyone, kumusta kam? We’ll have a band meeting later after class, only the old members are required to attend. Also there will be a band practice after that, everyone’s included na.