Enough Courage

☆Chapter 7

I get home a little after mid-night, still feeling full of butterflies. I expect Shaina and Kelsey to be up waiting for me like one of those chick-flick movies where they need to know the details of their friends date. But the house is dark and everyone's in their beds.

I head down the hall to my room, I grab my pajamas and go straight to bed, exhausted from this whole day. Plus, I have class tomorrow. As soon as my head hits the pillow I know it's not going to be that easy to fall asleep. Instead I stare at the ceiling, noticing the way the moonlight streams through my curtains bouncing playfully onto the ceiling like glitter.

I roll onto my side, sighing loudly into the darkness. I wish he would have kissed me.

I think about his drawing at the diner and how the lines he drew came together so effortlessly.

I get up in the darkness and pad across my room to my desk. I open the top drawer and pull out the drawing of me he drew in our living room. I pin it up beside my mirror and look at my reflection in the dark. Funny how people can make you see yourself in a different way.

At this point I know I won't sleep. So I walk back over to my desk and pull out my assignment for tomorrow's class and do it until I slowly drift off into sleep.

My alarm finally goes off at the correct time unfortunately. I pick my head off of my desk and put my head in my hands. I feel like I got hit by a semi truck. I pick up my assignment noticing I drooled on it. Ew, embarrassing. I stuff my book and paper into my crossbody bag. Throw my hair into a messy bun and grab my favorite flannel.

Shania is in the kitchen. She looks up from her bowl of cereal to look at me. I guess she finally gave up cooking, or at least for today.

"How was last night?" She asks, eyebrows raised.

"It was perfect." I say, trying not to frown.

"Doesn't seem like it was perfect. What's up?"

"No it was..." I trail off. "Something else would have made it super though."

"He didn't kiss you." She states.

I shake my head. "How did you know?"

"You just don't have that first date, he kissed me glow." She takes another bite of cereal and puts her finger up like she's about to say something else. "What's the last thing he said to you?"

"He just told me I looked pretty."

"Hey that's a good sign." She gets up and puts her bowl in the sink. "Maybe he's just waiting for the right time. You have to admit that's kinda romantic."

"Yeah." I say still unsure.

"Keep your head up. It'll happen if its meant to." She pats my head like I'm a dog before leaving the kitchen.

I grab a water from the fridge and start my walk to the bus stop.

Collins isn't on the bus today. I can't help but think maybe he just wants to be friends. But do guys call their friends pretty?

In class Collins sits with a guy, probably one of his friends. He doesn't acknowledge me all class and by the time lecture is over I've convinced myself I ruined last night some how.

I rush towards the door but not before Collins grabs my hand pulling me back towards the corner of the room out of peoples way.

"Hey." He says in an almost whisper. "Sorry I didn't come over to say hi earlier. Me and one of my friends were talking about plans this weekend."

"It's okay." I choke out. But really I'm on the verge of tears.

"Are you okay?" He asks with concern lacing his voice.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. Just tired." I play off my hurt.

"Kept you out too late last night?" He smiles and I feel my knees go weak.

"Just me being a usual insomniac." I laugh.

"Speaking of plans." He says changing the subject. "Me and a couple of friends are renting a beach house for the weekend. Wanna join?"

My insides turn to mush. I hesitate, do I really wanna spend that much time around him? Of course! But that's a lot of time to ruin what we have going on for us.

Speak words, Ellis.

"Sure!" I manage to finally say.

"Great!" He smiles."I'm glad. I'll pick you up tomorrow at your place around 10?"

"10 a.m.?" I ask.

He laughs again, "yeah."

"Sure, sounds good."

"See you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." I say. He let's go of my hand and disappears in the crowd of students.

Shit, I forgot about his friends.

It'll be fine, I assure myself.