Between The Lines

ten

      After the admittedly underwhelming narration of my god-knows-what-to-call-it with Zach, to Brooke and Aaron, I had realised how stupid really the situation was. I had gotten this story telling part out of the way first thing in the morning, and was all set to figure out what I was doing with Zach. Thankfully he was there in my very first class and I was sure I wouldn't have to wait too long. I was sitting at my desk only a few minutes for the class to start. Brooke and Aaron had already moved on to another topic. Yet I couldn't help but sit in anticipation of what was to come, completely ignoring their discussion.

        I wasn't sure what I was expecting. I'm not a fan of public display of affection. So I was definitely not holding my breath for him to come and swoop me up in his arms, or give me a heart stopping kiss or anything. But I did hope that I'd get more than an enthusiastic wave before he went and sat at his place. My face fell evidently. This was nothing different than what he did every day. Had I misunderstood the meaning behind him liking me. Did he mean it as a friend? Oh God I had totally made a joke out of myself! I spent the entire class freaking out, barely paying any attention to the teacher.
      Brooke only laughed at my condition and I began contemplating my relationship with her as well. Surely friends are supposed to be more considerate than that right?
      The moment class ended I got up avoiding even glancing at Zach. He must've been judging me then for my flustered state.
Who gets all worked up at a friendly compliment! I sure had messed up bad this time.
        I kept my head low and walked out of the class, books in one hand, the other fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. I stepped out and someone grabbed my hand. I looked up and found Zach smiling at me.

"Hey!"

"Hey you."

      Oh that damned smile! How does one not misinterpret that? I smiled back at him, my cheeks definitely flushing red. He pulled me by the wrist moving both of us out of the way.

"Hi..."

Zach chuckled.

"We just said that."
"Yeah umm... what's up?"

He just shook his head and offered to walk with me to my next class.

"But don't you have Geography on the first floor?"

      I was pretty sure he would get late if he walked with me all the way to the end of the hall way and then back up to the first floor. He just shrugged and tilted his head to the side, motioning to start going towards my Economics class. We walked side by side not holding hands or anything. Our hands would brush occasionally, I wasn't quite sure how to react to that. We reached my class and he turned towards me.

"So I was thinking maybe after school we could grab ice cream?"

             My face must've twitched in a weird angle as I struggled to decide what to do with it. Well this at least appeased my doubt about what happened yesterday. Seems like we will in fact be going out. Yet I couldn't help but laugh at my luck.

"I really really would've loved to but I have a  school newspaper meeting today.

        The guy asks me out for the first time and I have to blow him off.

"Well that's okay. Maybe some other time..."

     He smiled half-heartedly. That just crushed me. Oh why was my fate so terrible. 

"I'll be going now... See you..."

    I waved back as he turned around and left for his class. And all I could do was stand and stare at his retreating figure, cursing my stars.