“Grapes?” She holds the plate toward me.
“No!” I shake my head quickly.
“Cherries then,” she says, half-turning toward the kitchen.
I catch her wrist. “I don’t want your fruits, Nova.”
She sighs, throws a grape at me, and tilts her head. “Then what do you want?”
“I—”
“Give me a straight answer before I grab this phone and throw it out the window, because I read your message and went to minute 1:33, but I didn’t understand a damn thing since you love confusing me! I listened and read the lyrics, and the onlything I want to say is that I’m tired of your cryptic messages, of the way you mess with my thoughts and twist up my head. So, for once in your life, grow some balls and tell me to my face what you meant with ‘Only you can set my heart on fire.’ What does it mean, Vincent? Tell me.” she demands.
She shoves her phone at me, the lyrics of Ellie Goulding’sLove Me Like You Doglowing on the screen.
I lift my eyes, lock onto hers. My chest heaves. “It means that I’m in love with you, Marshall. I love you so much I might die. You’re the only one who can set my heart on fire just by looking at me. That’s what it means.”
That’s it. You’ve said it. Finally. You managed to do it after twelve years, Vincent Cooper.
My words catch her completely by surprise, and I can see it. The way her eyes widen, the way her skin breaks out in goosebumps, the flush that spreads across her cheeks—but I don’t say anything else. And yet, I can’t hold back the grin forming on my lips.
“R-really?” she whispers. “I get it. It’s an April Fool’s joke. No, wait—it’s November.”
“Of course it’s the truth. I didn’t run six flights of stairs just because I enjoy sweating!”
“So... you’re in love with me?” Yes. All that crap I told you before was a lie.
I know she loves knowing she’s right, and I can see how her chest swells and she starts gloating on the spot, watching me, waiting for my answer. She’s adorable, and I can’t help the amused smile tugging at my lips.
“Of course I am,” I admit, taking a step toward her.
She doesn’t step back. On the contrary, I see her move her feet toward me in slow motion, and I lean down. As soon as my hands cradle her face, Maggie and Sam appear as the elevatordoors slide open. They freeze on the spot as soon as they notice the position we’re in, and we both pull away immediately.
“Well, well... what a pleasant surprise, Victoria. I see you’re finally making a move.” Sam elbows me, grinning as usual, before walking into the apartment with Maggie, who tells him to shut up.
“Maybe I’d b-better go...”
She just nods before closing the door. As I start down the stairs, I hear her scream echo through the hallway, followed by Maggie’s voice telling her to put a banana in her mouth and shut up.
––––––––
-*?? . ??? ? ?.-*??
I haven’t heard from her since this afternoon. Outside, the rain hasn’t stopped pouring, and Sam’s still at their place. He’s probably spending the night there, while I can’t close my eyes. My head’s full of what happened earlier—with Nova, with Steven... I tried calling, but they never answered.
I don’t have the courage to reach out again. I wouldn’t even know what to say. I’m terrified I made a mistake in confessing my feelings. What if she doesn’t feel the same anymore? What if I’ve hurt her? What if admitting how I feel only pushes us apart forever? What if—
My thoughts are cut short by the sound of the doorbell.
A jolt runs down my spine, and I drop my guitar on the bed. I don’t even think to put on a T-shirt; I just rush to the door and throw it wide open.
It’s as if some part of me knew she would be standing there. Nova stares at me with her big doe eyes, dripping wet. Again.
“Nova, I-I...”
“I’ve been pacing back and forth in front of the building for half an hour. Then a lady came by, walking her dog, and she let me in. We even chatted about dogs for a bit, and I found out that until a few years ago, it was forbidden to keep pets here. Did you know that? Sorry if I woke you up, maybe you were sleeping. Or playing. Either way, I’m sorry for bothering you at this hour, it’s just that...”
I bite back a laugh at the way she rambles, scratching nervously at the base of her neck.
