Unexpected Gem #wattys2019

Chapter 19: Jealousy

Naomi packed her books up and headed out of the class only to be met by Dylan. This was unexpected since he never talked to her or even came in one foot of her unless Anny was around. Putting her thoughts aside she smiled and walked up to him.

"What's up Dylan? This is a rare occasion."

Dylan glanced away in his usual shy way and said quietly,

"I want you to go out with me..."

Naomi cocked her head and opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by Dylan's frantic voice.

"For Anny! Her birthday is tomorrow and I wanted to get her something b-but I didn't wanna go alone and I just thought since she is always talking about you, you could come with me... I didn't mean go out I just meant-"

Dylan's rant was interrupted by Naomi's light laughter. He frowned at her sudden outburst but before he could question her she ceased stopped.

"Dylan, I get what you mean, okay? Let's go! I would love to get something for Anny."

She gave a warm smile that made Dylan blush slightly. A small smile that was filled with the same warmth spread across his face.

"Thanks..."

"It's no problem! We better get going now."

Dylan nodded and led the way out of the building.

...

James tapped his foot impatiently on the pavement as Jean swept his searching eyes through the crowd. Naomi hadn't came out yet and she usually would come out by now so where was she? Jean thought to himself. James rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Jean come on! I'm hungry and they will run out of my favorite special."

Jean ignored him still looking over the thinning crowd.

"Just a few more minutes man. I have to look for someone.... ah! There she is!"

The two boys watched as Naomi and another person came out talking and laughing together. Jean raised his eyebrows and recognized the thin boy as Anny's close friend. For the life of him though he couldn't remember his name. As he watched the two walk away he felt an unfamiliar squeezing in his heart. It felt as if someone took hold of his heart and gave it a squeeze that felt like a bolder hitting it instead.

"Woah, what's that frown for? You see her so, why don't you go say hello."

Jean heard James and snapped out of his strange trance.

"No I am good let's just go."

James squinted his eyes in confusion but decided to not say anything against it.

...

As Naomi and Dylan warmed up to eachother they searched for something cute and fluffy.

"Yea! Maybe she would like a big stuffed toy? What's her favorite color?" Naomi exclaimed happily. She was finally breaking through to Dylan. At first she thought he would never warm up to her but to her relief he was letting loose around her. All it needed was some time.

"Hm... definitly red!"

"Red? I wouldn't expect that from her! She seems she would like pink or blue or something."

Dylan chuckled at the common assumption.

"Yea I know. She likes red because of a TV show character she used to watch as a kid."

Naomi smiled as they walked into a small store filled with trinkets and miscalleaneous items. Now that she spent time with him one on one she just began to realize how much he actually knows of Anny. Maybe he liked her? She decided to chance it and ask.