| TUTOR | under editing

12. "I get it."

Bria

Our food arrived to our table and Chris conversed with Forest about random irrelevant things, it was apparent that Forest enjoyed the company of Chris, because often times he'd get shy around people.

I stayed out of the conversation and ate my salad. Thank god that waitress came when she did, or else I'd be caught up in a conversation with Chris I definitely wasn't ready to have.

When he'd said "I want to real date you.", I didn't at all believe it. Sure, we were friends..and he comes to me for help, but I just couldn't see him thinking of me in that way.

The idea of me embarrassing myself kept coming to mind, like the possibility of me replying "I want to date you too Chris," and him responding with "I was kidding" or that he wasn't even being serious. I didn't trust it.

"So Forest. Why is it that you get pepperoni pizza if you just pick the pepperonis off?" Chris asked Forest, looking at his plate.

"I don't like them on the pizza, I eat them by itself."

"You know at the store they sell pepperonis..like by themselves?"

"No no no..." I tried to stop Chris from revealing this information to Forest, but it now was too late.

"Are you serious?!! Bria!! Can we get some?? Can we get them today?!"

"No."

He frowned and continued eating his pepperoni-less pizza.

"So..Brianna." Chris said staring into my eyes.

"Yes?" I said looking away from him quickly.

"Look at me Brianna, I wanna ask you something-"

"How about we just change the subject..." It was hard to avoid conversation with someone sitting directly in front of you, but I was willing to try.

"I just want to know if you-"

"Chris I- I don't...I don't feel like talking right now." I said trying to nonchalantly cover my face with my hands. He pulled my hand off of my face,

"I get it Bria. I won't bother you about it anymore." He said assuring me that I no longer had to worry. I sighed in relief, but I also felt bad about the sad tone in his voice.

"Chrissopher can we go to trampolines after this?" Forest asked him, so unaware of the awkward tension at the table.

"I wish we could Forest, but I've got to get you and your sister home. Next time I'll take you, I promise." He said crossing his fingers.

"Okay." Forest said with a satisfied smile.

"Well uh we should get going I guess," I said still trying not to look directly at Chris.

Chris

That went way worse than I could even imagine. I couldn't even ask her without her avoiding the question and looking away. At first I thought she was just nervous— but then I understood. She just doesn't like you like that.