Vivid Memories

Chapter 24

The new semester started and I was excited to see everyone again. Penny went back to place around a day before returning to college, so she could get ready and all that.

I met people again — primarily reconnected with those from the Martial Arts club. Though there were random people I remembered befriending them; I just forgot their names.

Whoops.

But it was great to meet more people again.

I should host parties. Why not? Makes sense.

Caitlyn hasn't been amiable towards me recently, but I couldn't blame her. If I remembered my ex kissed your best friend in front of you, I wouldn't be on good terms with her. (I mean, yeah that happened with Mayuri so I know the pain personally)
Regardless, I want to patch things up with her. She just needed to realize what she's doing wasn't right, then we'd be Gucci.

Dante.

That's right. I needed to somehow invite him over, to get to know him better without making it obvious. Ah, fuck it, even if it is. Whatever gets the job done. I texted him during lectures when he's free and he replied in the afternoon, around two. That was perfect. That was my break anyways.

As two o'clock rolled by, I told Penny I was meeting with Dante. She didn't mind since Tyler and she was going to have lunch together. The plan was to meet by the college cafe and just have a chat, that's all. Nothing too hard.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Dante smiled and sat down on a chair opposite mine. "Did I keep you waiting?"

"No, I just got here myself," I smiled back at him. Okay, so far, not so awkward. Great start. "You wanna grab something to drink?"

"Yeah, sure,"

Dante and I queued up for some hot drinks. This was the perfect time to say something. Think Avalon, think!

"Uh, so how was your holiday?' I asked, looking around trying to act casual.

"Hmm, it was great, though I wished it was longer," He sighed and chuckled, waving his hand at me. "My highlight was Christmas Eve, staying up all night with you. That was the most fun I had in a while."

"W-what about the time we saw a movie?" I asked, somewhat insulted but also pleased that he enjoyed my company.

"That's a close second," Dante chuckled once more. "But we didn't spend as much time together compared to when it was Christmas Eve."

"We were like asleep for more than half of the time on Christmas Eve," I turned around, raising my eyebrow and pouted

"Yeah, but it still counts as spending time together," He first blushed before poking my cheek. God my face probably lit up like a Christmas tree. "Even so, that is my fondest memory. Yeah, sure maybe meeting up with friends and all that was good and all, but nothing compares to that night."

I didn't reply. Thinking about it now, it was also the night he confessed his entire past to me. I know why he is who he is. He's gone through so much and he keeps on going further every day.

After getting our drinks, there was silence again. Penny would tell me he's giving me more and more hints and I'm not doing anything with it. It's kind of hard when these moments of awkward silence always seems to occur.

"So, what was your highlight of the term break?" He asked, smiling and taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

"My highlight...?" I thought about it, but all I could think about was when he kissed me out of the blue. Ahhhhh! I can't say that to him... right? "Uhh... I guess New Year's Eve."

Dante blushed and looked away for a few seconds before looking back at me. "R-really?"

"Y-yeah," I replied, taking a sip nervously. "Uh... the fireworks were great and all... and uh... you know... the whole... thing too... with... you and me..."

"Avalon," Dante smiled and sat next to me. God, stop it. Stop it, Dante. I'm not ready to give you an answer. For the love of all things holy, Dante don't do it. God, I think he could probably hear my heart beating. "I wanted to know if you... wanted to go..."

"Dante, I'm sorry but I don't think I can give that answer - at least not right now," I blurted it out. I am so sorry Dante, but right now, I still haven't made up my mind yet.

"... hang out with me and my friends on the weekend..." His voice trailed off around the end. He looked red too, realizing what he could have said. "Haha! Yeah, If you want to like to check if you're free! I shouldn't have rushed into things there!"

God, I hate beating around the bush.

"W-What are you guys doing tonight?" I asked, trying to play it cool.

"Uh... probably just watching League again?" He replied. "I don't know if you'd be -"

"Yeah, no I can make that," I replied, taking a deep breath. "Sorry... I think the heat is getting to me."

"It's okay," Dante smiled and rested his head on my shoulders. "How about we make plans next week maybe? You know? Do something you would like?"

"R-Really?" I asked, nervously, trying to keep it together.

"Y-yeah," His face started to slowly turn redder. "We've been doing all the things I've wanted to do... but you know... we haven't done what you wanted to do. Maybe what you like, I'll like too."

Wait.

Hold up.

Is this what Penny meant when she said hey, I think you're interesting. Can you show me more of what you like and do in your spare time but only for me?

I guess this makes less work for me?