Little Girl and Tall Boy

Chapter 7

"It deflated my ego," His green eye winked at me. "If you know what I mean." He added as he wagged his perfect manly eyebrows.

I cleared my throat and stared up at him. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry," I stated, wringing my fingers on my left hand with the fingers on my right. "That was the first time someone... con-confe-- achoo!" I gave out a huge sneeze.

When I opened my eyes Colt was tutting and wiping his arm. I cringed and felt myself heat up as I mentally scolded myself. I spat at him! I got spit all over him! He is drenched with my saliva! Not really but I might as well have.

I sneezed and forgot to cover my mouth. I even growled while doing it! I sniffed and cleared my throat once again, "Colt, I'm sorry. Really, really sorry. I didn't mean to sneeze on you. I--"

He held up a caloused hand to stop me, "Say that again, please," he said seriously.

"Colt, I'm--"

"No, no," He shook his head, making his hair fall over his forehead. "Just the first word."

"Colt?" I asked unsurely, my eyebrows furrowed.

He gave me a grin and sighed as he tilted his head backwards. He looked at the clouded sky and spoke, "Why are you sorry?"

"I sneezed on you," I said with a soft tone, "And I ran from you."

His adam's apple bobbed, "You said I was the first person who confessed." He asked with a hushed voice.

I continued to look at his adam's apple. My eyes trailed down to his toned shoulders, then to his exposed colar. I wonder why this guy wants to go out with me.

The wind blew around me, making my hair fly all over the place. I squinted as I tried to focus on the football player in front of me through the strands of my floating hair.

"Why do you want to go out with me?" I blurted out, not thinking it through.

He looked down at me, his intense eyes holding mine in a gaze. He smiled his boyish smile and answered, "Because you're you."

I chuckled and broke eye contact. My face heated up again, I felt it in my eyes. I glanced around and watched the students flood the school courtyard. "Because I'm me," I repeated to myself. Why is it that his answer feels insincere? Is it just me?

"I know it hasn't been a year yet since we met but I know I like you," He slapped his chest twice, "I get nervous when I think about you, and I feel a rush of adrenaline when we talk. It's either I like you or I'm insecure about myself when compared to you. I don't think it's the latter."

I pursed my lips as I considered his answer. I feel that, too, but I'm not convinced it happens because I like him. I always feel nervous around new friends. I also feel the need to talk with them every waking second. It's like an obsession but I know it isn't. Maybe he's the same way, and he really doesn't like me. Maybe he just thinks he likes me but he really doesn't.

"But you already rejected me when you ran," His chest heaved as he sighed. He looked around, and focused on something distant.

"I got nervous," I explained. "I didn't know what to do and the first thing I thought of is running. I'm sorry, Colt."

He nodded. He returned his eyes to me as the afternoon sky casted a shadow on his face. I never noticed his defined cheekbones before.

"I forgive you," He said. "But I'm going to ask," he placed his hands in the back pockets of his faded blue jeans, "do I have a chance with you?"

I took a minute to answer as I thought it over. It took him a minute to frown and bite his lower lip. I cleared my throat as I took his expression as a sign of what I don't want him to feel.