Roommates

39

Tuesday, November 12 

[Barry]

He was staring

Staring at the one person who, though he wouldn't admit out loud, had captured his heart. He never liked to wake her up because she looked so peaceful while she slept. And it was the only time he could be near her. 

"Are you going to class or stare at my sister while she's sleeping? Like a creep."

Barry turned to face Natalie who was waiting for an answer. "I'm going."

"But here's some advice. Talk to her. So that I don't have to catch you creeping on her."

Barry didn't reply and headed out the door. As he walked across campus, he began to think. He was going to ask Caitlin to spend Thanksgiving at his place. If she said yes, they could talk about the kiss. He could apologize for running away. Maybe, if things were okay, he could kiss her again?

He was getting ahead of himself, but he could only hope. As he was walking, he saw a familiar person heading out of the cafeteria. 

"Finn!"

Barry approached him and Finn gave him a smile.

"Hey, Barry. What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to my house for Thanksgiving."

Finn titled his head. "Your parents are okay with that?"

"Yeah. When I talked to my mom, she suggested it. She'd be happy if you came."

"Alright. I'll come."

"Great. I wanted to ask you something else. Have you talked to Jessica?"

Finn sighed. "No. I haven't. I know that I need to, but I don't know what to say. You know? I don't know if she'll even want to talk to me."

Barry thought of Caitlin. "Yeah, I know how that feels."

"I gotta go. But I'll catch you later."

"Later, man."

Finn walked off and Barry continued on his way to his class. 

Later that day, Barry was eating lunch with Cisco and Oliver when his heart stopped beating in his chest and he was frozen in his place.

Caitlin was walking toward them and her eyes were locked with Barry's

"Barry?"

"Dude, you okay?"

They both glanced in the direction Barry was looking in and shared a look when they saw Caitlin.

"Cait."

"Hi, Barry, Cisco and Oliver."

"Hey."

"Hey, Caitlin."

Caitlin took a seat across from Barry and they were all silent. Felicity and Jessica joined them minutes later, and then came Finn and Simone. 

"Well, this is slightly awkward."

Felicity gave Cisco a look and they were joined by someone else.

"Hey, guys."

Iris took a seat next to Barry and Finn. Nobody said anything still and Natalie joined in last, sitting between Barry and Iris.

"Okay, what's up with all of you?" Natalie glanced at everyone

"Nothing, we're fine."

Natalie raised an eyebrow at her sister. "Oh, really? Because last time I checked, something happened between you and Barry, and now it's complicated."