Just a thought in Time: contest book

Burning a Torch

There she is, sitting across from me. We have been talking a lot recently...mostly in marching band. She has captivated me since I first met her, when I gave her and her ex a ride to the bowling alley. But I dared not let myself feel anything...she was with someone else. But those eyes...so dark they are black and that hair reminding me of a chocolate bar but tinted red in the sunlight.

"Robert? You are awfully quiet."

"Oh." I laughed, she...was just so beautiful. "Autumn, I...I know I've invited you to things a lot lately...mostly things were a lot of people were around..."

"Robert, I appreciate that but I have had a lot on my plate lately."

"I know. I just have something to tell you."

"Yeah?" She fiddles with the straw in her glass. She looks anxious, as if she has somewhere to be. I glance down at my phone, it is about three o'clock. She must have color guard practice soon.  I don't want to keep her.

I nod. "I was wondering...if you would..." I pause. "I mean...I like you."

Her dark eyes lift from her drink to mine. She squints. "Like me?" 

I sigh. Her friends told me she was a little on the oblivious side...but I was straightforward. Is she toying with me? "Yes. For some time now."

"Explain."

"What?"

Autumn laughed, "I'm kidding. Don't need to explain."

My heart clenched, "No, seriously, Autumn, I have liked you for a long time. But you were always with someone when I was single so...I thought that it wasn't meant to be...but here we are."

Autumn furrowed her brows at me. "Robert, if you are asking me on a date...right now...is not the time."

"I didn't...mean right now. You have practice soon but I hoped..."

"That isn't what I meant." She leaned forward and placed her hand on mine, "I...I have been dumped...recently. My heart is not ready for another relationship right now."

"Oh." I felt a pit in my stomach...this was an excuse I have heard many  times in my life.

She sighed, "I'm not dumb Robert. I know you have very strong feelings for me...and I won't lie. I like you too." She smiled weakly at me. "But I need some time. It was a rough breakup but I will be fine."

"So...you aren't jerking my chain?"

She scoffed, "No, not at all. I saw you watching me at the bowling alley that day. The random little things here and there. I am not dumb. I am grateful you have told me...but I just need some time. I don't want to jump from one relationship to another. I don't want you to think that I am not all in."

"All in? You mean?" I felt my heart race.

"I'll take a rain check on the date." She beamed at me.

I laughed, loudly. "Rain check huh? How about you ask me out whenever you are ready."

Autumn smirked, "Sounds like a date."