The Moth

Chapter Forty-Six: Rooftops// Aaron

Chapter Forty-Six: Rooftops// Aaron

My phone rang and I frowned, throwing down my pencil and reaching over the piles of textbooks on my bed to answer it. Unknown number. Screw that.

I tossed the phone aside and picked up my books again. The ringing stopped. It started again a few seconds later.

"Oh for Pete's sake..."

I picked it up. "Hello?"

"Noel?"

"Cecilia?"

She must've gotten a new number. I pushed my stuff aside, stretching out on the bed, suddenly self-conscious about my voice. I cleared my throat. "Hey."

"Hi. I.... um, I had a favor to ask."

"Yeah?"

I was making my voice deeper. Oh f... Shoot me. I swallowed and coughed. My ears and neck heated up as I bit my lip.

"I... I was thinking of stopping by my house to check on Aaron later this afternoon. Mind coming with me? I've been getting a strange feeling all day and I'd rather have someone come with me. I don't know, I'm probably not making any sense but I just—"

"Yeah. I'll come pick you up in..." I glanced at the clock. "Half an hour. Do I call you back on this number?"

"Yes. It's mine, so that'd be good." She paused. "Thank you, Noel."

I smiled to myself. "No problem. Text me when you're ready. I'll be there in a bit."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bey." I shook my head, cheeks warming. "I mean bye."

Wait. I didn't even ask where she was.

God, I'm an asshat. Feeling stupid, I texted her about it.

I'm on the bus, coming home from work. Hopefully, I'll be at the dorms by the time you arrive.

Ok.

Shaking my head, I slid off the bed, grabbing a T-shirt from the closet and slipping it on. I didn't want to study anyway. A break wouldn't hurt.

Twenty-five minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot outside the university and pulled out my phone to call her.

"Hey, I'm near the front of the dormitories." I slid my hand over the top of the wheel.

"Oh, okay. I just got here too. I'm coming."

"'Kay."

I spotted a small figure dressed in black come walking briskly towards my car in my rearview mirror. Turning my head, I watched her approach. Getting out, I circled around the front of the car to open the door for her. She nodded gratefully and slipped inside. Inhaling, I came back to my own seat and slammed the door shut.

"Which way?" I said, turning towards her.

"Uh—"

I leaned forward and popped open the glovebox, handing her the GPS. "Go ahead and just put it in. It'll save time."

"Okay."

I studied her while she put in the address. Black slacks and a black polo T-shirt with top two buttons undone and a yellow store logo on the right side. Her hair was in a ponytail, pulled through the back of a baseball cap. She caught my eye and turned pink.

"Sorry, I just got off the bus. I didn't have a chance to go home and change..."

I smiled. "No, don't worry about it. It's cute."