In Another Lifetime

Thunder Storm

He finished closing everything up, and placed it in the bag, sitting back down to wait for Nari to arrive with the bill. He placed his elbow on the table, his chin resting in his hand, and looked right at me, and I could feel my cheeks starting to heat up.

"Have you ever dreamed about being my girlfriend?"

~♡~

My mouth opened, my brain telling it to say no, but I hesitated, and he smiled.

Nari returned with the bill, handing it to Tae, who stood up, and pulled his wallet out, handing her a card.

She left, returning in seconds with his card and a slip for him to sign. He thanked her, and told her to have a nice day, then he grabbed the bag with the food in one hand, and my hand in his other, and pulled me out of my chair, heading for the door.

I saw Nari staring after us as we went out the door, and gave her a smile, but her expression never changed.

Once we were outside, he started walking without saying a word, leaving me no choice but to walk with him, because his grip on my hand was firm.

"Where are we going?"

"To the park. It's too nice out to be inside, and I think it's supposed to rain later today. May as well take advantage of the sun while we have it."

I didn't reply, letting him take me where he wanted, because I sure as heck didn't know where I was, and would never get back to my apartment without his help, so it would probably be smart to stick close to him. Not that I minded.

He was quiet for a few minutes, looking straight ahead, and I wondered what he was thinking.

"So have you dreamed about being my girlfriend? Don't lie..."

I refused to look at him, but I knew he was looking at me now. I continued to look in front of me, watching where I was going.

"You know, the fact that you won't answer is answer enough."

I sighed. "Okay, honestly, yes, I have." There, I said it.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, and he had turned to look in front of him again, but I saw that he was smiling.  

"Only me?"

"What?" I didn't know what he meant.

"Have you dreamed of being one of the others girlfriends too, or only me?"

I looked at the sidewalk in front of me.

"Only you."

He squeezed my hand lightly, and my heart jumped.

"Do you want to?"

"Want to...?"

"Be my girlfriend?"

I slowed my steps, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest. It was too soon. But why was I even considering questioning this. Just say yes.

"Are you...playing with me?"

He stopped walking, jerking me to a stop, turning me right in the middle of the sidewalk, people having to go around us as they moved about their day. He looked right into my eyes, and his were nothing but serious.

"Do I look like I'm playing with you?"

"N-no, but you just met me yesterday." He didn't look like he was playing at all, and it made my throat go dry.

"And? I think I know myself well enough to know when I like someone. If you don't want to, just say no. But know that I'll keep asking until you say yes."