The Hermit's Retreat

Chapter 9

Cleo yawned as False walked into the room holding three cups of tea. She set one on the desk, then handed the other two to Cleo and Stress, who were sitting on Cleo's bed. False had sent them a vague Discord message saying that something had happened last night, and that she'd tell them over a cup of tea.

"So..." Cleo said suggestively, "How was it?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Oh, no, no, no. It... we weren't- we didn't do that." False blushed scarlet.

"Not yet..." Stress said mischievously.

False somehow managed to get even redder, and Cleo decided it was time to step in before things went even further down the rabbit hole.

"So what did happen?" She asked.

"I was up at one, and I guess neither of us could sleep, because he knocked on my door, and when I opened it he asked if I knew how to play eight-ball."

"Don't you think that's a bit strange?" Stress asked.

"I don't." Said Cleo. She knew she wouldn't mind if Stress showed up at her door asking if she knew how to play pool.

"Anyways," Said False, "I said no, and we went downstairs, and he showed me how to do everything, and I could hardly hit the balls because he was standing so close to me."

"Then what?" Cleo and Stress asked in unison.

"We moved to the couch, and just talked for a bit, and I asked him if he wanted to go hiking with me."

"What did he say?" Cleo asked.

"He said yes. We're going this Sunday. I found a trail that we should be able to do in a day."

"What happened after that?" Stress pushed.

"We talked for a bit longer, then he went to turn off a lamp in the other room and I fell asleep while he was gone."

"Was that all?" Asked Cleo.

"After that he picked me up and carried me to my bedroom."

"And you still think he doesn't like you that way?" Cleo questioned.

"I just don't know." False answered.

"Well, maybe you'll find out on Sunday." Said Stress. "I've got to go finish setting everything up." And with that, she was gone, leaving only Cleo and False.

"So when are you going to tell her?" Asked False.

"I don't know." Cleo said.

"You can't just keep pining over her, you know."

"I know... I just freeze up every time I try to say it."

"I don't think she'll reject you, if that's what's making you nervous."

"I just don't know, and that's what scares me. I know she could feel the same way, but I also know there's a chance that she won't."

"All you can do is try. And even if she doesn't feel that way, you'll feel a lot better after having told her."

"But that's still something I can't unsay. She'll look at me differently."

"If you don't make it a big deal, it won't be one. Building it all up and treating it as if it's something awful won't do either of you any good."

"Yeah, you're right. I still don't think I'm quite ready though."

"Just tell her when it feels natural, and let me know how it goes."

"Okay. Thanks."

"No problem. I should probably get to work too." Then False stood and walked out the door, leaving Cleo alone with her anxiety and a muddled head.