Hearts in Bloom

Chapter 7

The next day dawned crisp and cool, the kind of day that felt perfect for new beginnings. The buzz from the prom announcement still lingered in the hallways  full of students buzzing with excitement over dates and dress ideas.

As Tobias settled into his seat in class, he couldn’t shake the feeling that today was the day he’d finally ask Aria to the prom. His heart raced as he thought about her smile and how much he wanted to see that smile aimed at him on prom night. But there was still time to plan, and he needed to build his courage.

After the final bell rang, he made his way to the bus stop, anticipation mingling with his nerves. He spotted Aria sitting by the window as soon as he boarded the bus, sunlight streaming through the glass, casting a warm glow on her features.

“Hey, Aria!” he greeted, sliding into the seat next to her.

“Hey, Tobias!” she replied, her eyes lighting up. “How was your day?”

“Pretty good,” he said, trying to sound casual while battling a flutter of nerves. “I’ve been thinking about the prom.”

“Me too!” she exclaimed. “I still don’t know who to go with. Everyone seems to be making plans, and I feel so unprepared.”

Tobias smiled, feeling a flicker of hope. “Well, there’s still time to decide.”

As they chatted, Tobias noticed the window beside Aria was slightly open, allowing a gentle breeze to flow through the bus. He turned to her, gesturing toward it. “Do you want me to close that for you? It’s a bit chilly.”

“Actually, I tried but it’s jammed,” Aria replied, giving it a gentle tug, her brow furrowing in concentration.

Tobias noticed her struggle and felt a rush of determination. “Here, let me help,” he said, leaning in closer to her.

As he reached for the window, their shoulders brushed together, sending an unexpected jolt through him. The space between them seemed to shrink, and they both froze for a moment, acutely aware of each other’s presence. Tobias could feel the warmth radiating from Aria, and he suddenly became hyper-aware of his own body. He could feel his cheeks warming, and he realized his ears were turning bright red.

“Got it!” he said, pushing down on the window with a bit of force. It finally slid shut with a satisfying click. As he pulled his hand back, he noticed Aria’s face was flushed, and she quickly looked away, biting her lip. She noticed that Tobias's ear's were bright red.

“Thanks, Tobias,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t think I’d get it closed.”

“Anytime,” he replied, his heart racing. The proximity between them felt electric, and for a moment, all thoughts of the prom and his nerves faded away. It was just the two of them, sharing a brief moment of connection.

Just then, Mia and Jack boarded the bus cause they needed to go shopping near the place where the bus stops, their laughter breaking the spell. They sat a few seats ahead, and Tobias could see Mia animatedly talking to Jack about the prom.

“Hey, you two!” Mia called, turning to them. “Are you both going to the prom? You should totally go together! Btw we are going to the prom together. ”

Tobias’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly glanced at Aria, who looked equally surprised. “Uh, yeah, we’re… considering it,” he said, trying to keep his composure.

As the bus rattled along, Tobias couldn’t shake the feeling of Aria’s warmth beside him or the way their brief moment had felt so significant. He glanced at her, his heart still racing as he wondered if she felt it too.

“Maybe we can go together? You know, as friends.” Aria said, breaking into a soft smile.

“Yeah, that sounds great,” Tobias replied, trying to mask the flutter of excitement in his chest. He wanted to say more, to express what he truly felt, but the moment felt delicate, like a fragile bubble that could burst at any time.

As they continued their journey home, the anticipation of the upcoming prom loomed large, but for now, Tobias felt content with the little steps they were taking together. It was a beginning, and he was more determined than ever to make it special.

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My Random Silly Thoughts:

The Mysterious Stain:
Mom: "Why is there jelly on the ceiling?"
Kid: "I wanted to see if I could throw my sandwich like a ninja star."
Mom: "Did it work?"
Kid: "Better than expected."
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