Enough Courage

☆Chapter 3

After the study session they leave, also leaving the place in a mess.

I start cleaning up the empty chip bags and pop cans.

"I'm goin' to bed." Kelsey announces.

"You could help me clean a little." I point out, even though I know it won't matter.

"Really, Ellis. There's always tomorrow."

I roll my eyes, and just clean the rest up myself.

I take my books and notes to my room. I open my book up, and a page falls out. On it there's a phone number, and below that is a pen drawing of me.

It's signed Collins.

-

I debate on asking Shaina for advice.

How long should I wait to text? Or should I call? Or is that too desperate? What should I say? A simple "hello"? Or is that too casual? Do I send an emoji if I do text?

Ahh, the decisions.

"You should definitely send a text. Just a simple hello, and a smiley face. It will say, 'hey, I kinda like you'. But not too desperately."

I look at Shaina like she's an alien.

She raises her hand, "just do it."

I pick up my phone and add his name into my contacts.

"Did you do it?" She pushes.

"No! Hold on."

"Okay, geesh."

Me: Hello, it's Ellis. 😊

I look over it at least 8 times, then I push send.

"Omg," I say shakily.

"You did it!" Shaina cheers, but I feel like I might puke. "Ellis, it's about time you got out there a little. I mean, you are twenty years old."

"I've gotten out there some." I defend myself.

"Dean Stel doesn't count, Ellis."

"Does too. We dated for a whole three months."

She laughs, almost spilling her red nail polish on her white comforter.
"Oh, wow."

My phone buzzes, but I don't look at it immediately.

"Okay, I'm leaving now."

"What?" Her expression changes. "I need to know what he says."

"No, you've lost your privilege." I say as I exit her room.

"You're welcome by the way!"

Collins: Hey 😉

A winking emoji, what does that mean?

I don't know what to say, so I just say the first thing that pops into my head.

Me: that pen drawing of me was pretty rad.

Collins: Ah, thanks. It wasn't actually that good, but you know... I was trying to draw and pretend I was studying.

I laugh out loud.

From the next room I hear Shaina yell, "that's got to be a good sign!"

Me: 😂 Why were you pretending?

Collins: I was too busy looking at you.

Then my heart starts beating so fast I wonder if it's beating at all.

I then send something really stupid.

Me: I wouldn't want to be the reason you fail your exam.

Collins: I wouldn't mind, as long as you are the reason.

Me: I should probably go to sleep.

Collins: yeah you probably should

Me: yeah

Collins: goodnight

I smile.

Me: goodnight

Collins: don't let the bed bugs bite 🐞

I fall asleep wondering about the guy with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes.