Don't Get Too Happy

1- Dalta: Real Guilty and Stuff

I couldn't live with myself. I don't know how anyone could after hurting someone else so selfishly. I couldn't understand how anyone could look at anyone they've hurt in the eyes and not feel like a terrible person. Looking Otis in the eyes made me feel like a terrible person.

I turned the page of my book, my eyes scanning the words but not registering a thing. I couldn't concentrate... Not with Otis sitting behind me. I looked at the mirror. He was looking at me. I quickly looked down again.

We pulled up to the airport. Todd looked at me with a big smile on his face, his cheeks glowing with excitement. We were going to the same college. Things couldn't get better than that for him. I was pretty shocked when he'd asked me out... Especially when he told me Otis had told him to. He got so nervous...

***

"I- uh...," he stuttered and scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know why I'm so nervous."

I stared at him. I knew what was coming.

He put both hands on the cafeteria table, tapping his nails on the red surface over and over. Todd was never this anxious about anything.

I touched his hand. "Hey." I let a light, reassuring smile spread across my face. "It's okay."

He bit his lip, then nodded. "Dalta...the first time I asked you out you told me that you liked someone else."

I stopped breathing. I tried my best to keep my smile.

"I know that it was Otis...and I don't know what happened between you two, because he refuses to tell me... That..." He shut his eyes and shook his head. "That's irrelevant..." He looked at me. "I wanted to try again," he chuckled. "To ask you again...Will you be my girlfriend?"

I stared at him, my cheeks beginning to burn from forcing my smile too long. "Otis...He...I-"

"It's okay." He let go of my hand and bowed his head. "Otis told me to try again... This was stupid." He picked up him sandwich.

I watched him sulk. Todd was my closest friend since everything that happened. Like...I couldn't just mess that up by dating him. But Otis...I looked over at him. He was staring at Todd and shaking his head, a disappointed look plastered on his face. His eyes met mine and I immediately looked away. I reached over and touched Todd's hand.

He looked at me.

"I'm a bit nervous about getting back into dating right now, since Otis and I broke up because of...problems. But I think we can try, right?"

Todd smiled, his cheeks glowing.

***

I got out of Todd's car and headed to the back for our bags. I was about to grab mine, when Otis reached for them. I quickly pulled my hand away afraid to touch him. He grabbed two of them and weighed them in his hands. His brows narrowed. "Whoa, Dee," he chuckled. "Did you bring your whole closet?"

I shook my head and blushed as I looked down.

"Dee," Todd appeared behind me. He touched my back. "Did you get your bags yet?"

Otis pursed his lips as he handed them to Todd. He stared at me as he reached for his. I looked at Todd. He was fixing my bags for me as if I was a child.

"There," he smiled placing his hands on his hips.

I smiled back then looked at Otis. He was still staring...and Todd noticed. I didn't want to make him jealous, so I just touched Todd's arm and said a quick, "Thanks." I pulled the bags away, rushing over to the airport doors. I tried not to panic.