I Think I Love You

Chapter 10: Mia

Chapter 10: Mia

I'm standing for what feels like too long in front of the table, but still he doesn't break from the book he's reading. Did he not hear me walk-over? Or feel me standing on the side, the same way you sense something hovering over your forehead? I look like an idiot standing around, and in this moment I wish I didn't have the social skills of Tina from Bob's Burgers. At least since his head is down, he's not able to see the flustered look on my face. Oh no, he's looking up and curiosity sets in on his face.

"Hi", I say in a way that sounds like he came up to me, and I'm the one who should be confused.

"Hey", he mirrors hesitantly with his eyebrows arched up. An awkward pause takes over as I stare back at him, not knowing what to say next. Come to think of it, maybe I should've planned out what to say before coming over. But here we are. I notice I'm nervous around him and I can't tell if it's because of my natural awkwardness or if it's something else. "Umm, do you want to sit down?" he asks, putting his book to the side.

"Yeah, actually that'd be good, thanks."

"What you got there?", he says pointing at the clipboard. I forgot I was holding it the entire time.

"Oh right!" I say remembering why I came over in the first place, convincing myself it was to get signatures. A boost of confidence comes to me and I find the courage to speak.

"It's for a new initiative. Gwen's trying to rally the student body to band together and speak out against gun violence, in light of the –"

"The shooting", he says finishing the sentence.

"Exactly. Except it's not meant to just represent and advocate for our school. It's meant to be for all students in Forest Glade, neighboring cities, and who knows from there. The goal is to have our voices heard, and what better than a march." I go on. "Imagine hundreds of students uniting together, walking out from school and marching across town. After all, it's all about making a movement right?", he nods his head in agreement. "It's still fresh, but it's in the works. Gwen's going to bring it up at the student council meeting, and is working on getting Mr. Donald on board. Right now, I'm helping her to get a bunch of signatures to convince the school board that this is what the students want, and that we hope we can have the board's support too."

"That sounds pretty legit to me,'' he says impressed. "But what if no one listens?" although talk about the march spiked his interest, I can tell that his face seems skeptical.

"We gotta try", I say pressing my lips together and holding up the clipboard.

He gives me a hopeful smile. "I'm down to try" he says, clicking a pen.

I hand the clipboard over and watch as he writes his name in cursive. I notice his penmanship right off the bat. It's the kind of clean-cut writing that suits him. "Looks like I'm the first supporter", he says proudly.

I feel a sense of accomplishment wash over me. "A valued member of this community against gun violence"

He flashes me another smile. I notice that his eyes crinkle at the sides when he smiles like that. It's such a genuine look he wears. I wait for him to reply but he doesn't say a word. Instead he just looks back at me. Do I say something? That's not how a conversation works; I talk, and then you talk. I stare awkwardly as I notice the crinkle from his eyes loosen up while his eyes shift around. To explain his silence, I reason that he might be thinking about what to say next.

"So..."

"So..." I mimic back.

"How was your weekend?"