Yellow

6

"What flavor, dear?"

"L-lemon," he whispered, hiding his face behind his notepad.

I smiled to myself as I relayed the information to the cashier. I gave his shoulder a hopefully comforting squeeze as I handed over my card.

    "Want some sweets, Tae?" I asked, looking over at the case full of them.

    There were slices of cake, macaroons, and plenty of cookies.

    He peeked up at me, then the case.

    After checking it out a moment, he pointed to a slice of strawberry cake and I nodded with a smile.

    "Be a dear and add two strawberry cakes to my tab, if you would," I said, and the cashier nodded and smiled.

    I could feel Taejoon getting more relaxed, his shoulders losing tension, although he still kept his face hidden.

    "Here or to go?" the cashier asked.

    I tapped my chin. "Hm.. what do you say, Taejoon? Want to eat in the outside, or no?"

    He pulled away his notebook and nodded, uttering a little "s-sounds good."

    I could tell he wasn't really thinking about the question, just saying anything to get me to shut up.

    I guess I sort of forgot he didn't like being talked to when he's anxious..

    "Ah-- to go, please." I thanked the sweet cashier and grabbed the paper bags and our drinks from her. "Alright, let's go," I said cheerily as I followed Taejoon out of the empty shop.

    He let out a sigh of relief as soon as he was outside, which made me smile.

    "It was getting stuffy in there," he breathed out, tugging at his sweater collar. "I don't really like tiny shops like that. At least it w-wasn't crowded.."

    "Ah, do they make you nervous?" I asked.

    I guess I wasn't used to being anxious in the same situations Taejoon would be.

"Yeah, a bit," he quietly replied. "Let's n-not get into that now. I want to eat my cake."

"Of course," I said amusedly. "We can go to the vinyl shop afterwards."

We headed over to the seating area, Tae comfortably sipping on his tea with a soft hum.

    Luckily, the tables weren't crowded either, with only one other pair seated further back from us.

    I should take him to the new park sometime.. Maybe we could go tomorrow since I don't have practice.

     I'll bring it up with him a little later.

I felt my tummy beginning to do backflips as we settled at the table.

Why am I so nervous..! Its just a little
hang out. Nothing to be nervous about, right?

"Why are you gripping the bag so hard, Theo?" Taejoon asked, glancing up at me.

    "Oh--" I sputtered, loosening my hold. I was practically white-knuckling the thing, and it crinkled and cracked after I let go. "No reason, I'm alright."

    My hesitation to answer was painfully obvious, but I elected not to address it.

    I watched him shake his head out of the corner of my eye with
a giggle.

    I pulled our cakes out of the bag, my hands trembling the whole time.

Ah, was I always this nervous around my Taejoon..?