“Lock up the door, you guys,” I called out to Dex and Siege, knowing they’re going back to their rental and I wouldn’t see them after until tomorrow morning in school.
Nero then rushed to the truck before he opened the door for me again, and I hoisted myself up to sit on the passenger’s side.
I watched him through the windshield as he walked to the driver’s seat and got in himself.
“Ready?” He asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
And that made me think.
That even after the years of pining, I’ve realized that nothing could’ve prepared me for finally going on kid Cosette’s dream date.
A date with Nero Combs.
22
NERO
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Cosette stammered, a slight blush creeping up her neck as she recoiled from our accidental touch over the popcorn bucket.
We’ve watched dozens of movies together, typically with Andy, finding some brief moments alone when she’d excuse herself to the bathroom. Yet, this time the tension in the air was thick, making this the most uncomfortable it had ever been.
I never had reason to pull my hand away from accidental touches when we would reach for whatever snack we'd shared before.
But now? Now, there was, because the lines were finally blurring between us.
“It’s okay. Here, let me just,” I trailed off, grabbing the popcorn bucket, and the warm, buttery smell of the popcorn wafted into the air as I poured some onto the dome-shaped plastic cover. “There.”
Cosette mumbled a soft “thank you” with a sheepish smile, the movie trailers’ flashing images still dancing on the screen.
I knew this was coming. I figured Cosette would be all jumpy and nervous being alone with me. Even when we were just friends, sometimes she’d clam up, and still, I was dumb enough to think Andy was bullshitting me when she would tell me C had a crush on me.
She’s just like that because I’m a guy, I always said.
Seriously, she’s always been like that. How was I supposed to know? She’s always been the introverted one from the moment we met.
“You cold?” I asked when I saw her rub her palms together after taking a sip of her frozen slushie.
“Uh, just a little,” she replied, but I was already shedding my blazer off and handing it to her.
C only sighed, taking it begrudgingly. “Thank you. I was going to bring my own jacket, but the two kept on snatching it from me. I thought it was because they wanted me to show more skin, but now, I think I know why.”
“So that I could offer you mine and I’ll look like a gentleman?”
C laughed softly, nodding. “Yeah, pretty much.”
I laughed with her, and we gazed at each other, a silent understanding passing between us. It was working. I was loosening her up.
The last of our laughter dissolved as the last movie preview ended, and I spoke, my voice a soft whisper.
“You don’t have to be nervous, you know? This may be a date, but nothing has to change. We’re just two people hanging out like we used to. And just because we’re trying this out doesn’t mean we have to be a thing, C,” I said.
Cosette agreed with a nod, her shoulders dropping as she visibly relaxed beside me.
I held my hand up in a fist, and the sound of her cute little giggle filled the air as she bumped her fist with mine.
How did I not appreciate that giggle until now? I’ve never heard her laugh like that before, even after all this time.
