An Abundance of White Blood Cells // [WATTYS 2017]

SEVEN

When Weber State had won and the game was over, Nate and I walked back to his car. We were talking about the game and how Dixie State never even had a chance at winning, and by we, I mean me. We got into his car and he started pulling out of the parking spot. I was still talking about the last shot Weber State had made when we were getting onto the freeway. "...that goalie shouldn't have even been playing if he wasn't even gonna try..." I said, looking over to Nate, who seemed a bit overwhelmed. "Am I talking too much?"

He shook his head. "No, I've just never met a girl who was as invested into hockey as I am. In fact, I think you like hockey more than me." He smiled his trade mark smile at the end of his sentence.

"Is that bad?" I asked hesitantly.

He reached over and grabbed my hand. "It's not bad at all, I think its awesome."

I grinned, feeling myself blush a little. I reached over and turned the radio up. Ironically, I didn't know the name of the song that was playing, but I knew the lyrics, but isn't that how it always goes? I glanced over at Nate for just a second before singing the lyrics. "What day is it and in what months this clock never seemed so alive..."

"Shit, you can sing?" Nate smiled, glancing at me.

I shrugged. "I guess."

We sat there for a second. "Well, keep singing!" Nate practically commanded.

I took a breath. "Cuz it's you and me and all of the people and nothin' to do, nothin' to lose and it's you and me and all other people and I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you..." I kept singing and once the second round of the chorus came Nate began to sing...but I couldn't tell if he was purposely being pitchy. "CUZ IT'S YOU AND ME AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE!" He belted. I almost died laughing. He turned the radio up a little more and we sang the rest of the car ride home. It was probably my favorite car ride ever.

Nate turned the radio down as we pulled into my neighborhood, our singing ceased to be. He made a couple turns and found my house, pulling into the driveway. Before unlocking the car he turned to me. "Let me get your door this time...please." He pressed his hands together, as if he were praying. I chuckled. "You wanna impress my Gramma, don't you." He just shrugged, not answering my question.

He unlocked the car and went around the back to my door. I sighed as he opened the door. "Why thank you." I said, smiling. He helped me out of the car and shut it behind me. "Mind if I walk you to your door?" He asked.

"I wouldn't mind at all." I replied

We walked to the door slowly, holding hands. Once we were in front of the door we turned and faced each other. I wrung my hands and looked at my feet like I always did when I was nervous. "I...uh...I had a great time." I said, taking a deep breath. It was the awkward door step moment that movies all ways somehow glorified with inspirational music or what have you.

"I did too, especially on the way back." I looked up to see him just staring at me, no trademark smile to be found.

He started to lean in. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. I thought. I wasn't thinking this because I didn't want him to kiss me, it's more like a, Oh this is happening right now, kinda thing. I closed my eyes as he got closer and waited with parted lips. When his met mine it wasn't like when we first kissed. It was just one kiss that sent shivers down my spine. He pulled away a few seconds later and we both stood there smiling like idiots.

"Okay, I'm gonna go inside." I grinned, feeling my stomach flutter at the warmth he had given me when he kissed me.

"Alright..." He rubbed the back of his neck.