Second Chance [Four/Tobias]

Thirty Seven

ᴛᴏʙɪᴀꜱ

"Be right back," I say, stepping out. The evening light was still there.

I get into my car and drive to Itasca.

As I drive there, a million thoughts run in my head. What should I say? —being the major one.

And before I know, Itasca is here.

I take a deep breath and step in.

The corridors were silent as the sound of my knocking rings in.

"Tobias! Hi!"

"Matthew," I smile.

"Come in. Where's Avyanna?" He looks behind me.

"She isn't here," I say.

He looks at me, surprised. "Oh."

We sit down.

"So, how's work?" He asks.

"Work is good," I shrug. "How about you?"

"Hm, it's fine," He grins. "Can I get you something?"

"Ah, no, it's okay," I shake my head. "I gotta drive back."

"So I'm assuming you came here for something," He clasps his hands.

He's a therapist. Of course he'd know.

I clear my throat. Time to be confident.

"Yeah," I say. Matthew doesn't seem like someone who'd mind yeah instead of yes.

"What is it?" He asks with an icy stare.

"I want..." The words won't come out. I clear my throat. "I think it's time for the...proposal,"

He stays silent.

I look on.

"Why?" He asks. "And I'm not looking for a standard answer,"

"What is your standard answer?" I ask.

He looks up at me. I might see a hint of a smile. "That you love her. That's my standard answer. Because you won't come this long unless you love each other."

"Are you asking me why I want to live a life with her?" I ask.

"That's it," He nods.

"Avyanna, she is magic. I don't know how to say but she has this fire. A fire in her soul. And I had been trying since I met her to understand that fire but it's not something we tame. She's a forest fire. You...get what I mean?" I stop my blabbering mid way to look at him.

He keeps his eyes fixed on me. Then a small smile appears.

"Can I ask you something, Tobias?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you really want to come and ask permission?" He asks.

"No," I scratch the back of my neck.

"Then, Avyanna did?"

"God, no," I shake my head. "I just thought it's a tradition..."

"Oh, okay. Sure,"

"Sure what?"

"Your proposal. Go do it. I didn't want to give permission. I just want to know what you think of her,"