I shoot him a glare, but I can’t deny his words are comforting to hear. I like when he talks about me like this. It makes me feel special. Maybe that’s stupid, but it is what it is.
“You wanna know why I don’t bring you to the football house?” he asks.
My eyes are on the sandwich again. “Sure, I guess,” I grumble, trying to act like I don’t actually care, but I do. I want to know the answer.
“Because Mickey is there. I don’t want to bring you to any place that will make you feel uncomfortable. I also don’t want that jackass anywhere near you,” he growls the last part.
My heart starts to race, my whole body flushing with nerves. “Really?” I lift my eyes and god, I want to cry. These feelings are so damn confusing. They’re new and scary and also exciting.
I’ve come to the realization that I think I have feelings for Cooper. The only thing is, I’ve never had feelings for someone before, so how do I know it’s not just me being very grateful for a friend like him, or something more?
“Yeah, Latte Boy,” he teases, reaching up to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. I swear to god my heart stops. “I care about you. A lot. Now, I’m gonna go wash this stink off me. When you’re done, you can use the bathroom down here. I’ll leave something for you to wear on my bed, okay?”
“Okay.”
With a smile, he leaves me standing there dumbfounded.
As soon as I’m done making the sandwich, I put it back into the fridge, then pull out my phone and find the group chat with my friends.
Me: SOS! 911! Help!
Rylee: What the hell is going on?
Davis: Do we need to call the cops?
Me: No. I’m just freaking the fuck out and I don’t know what to do. Or what's going on.
Rylee: Explain a little more, babe, so we can try to help.
Me: You remember that guy I’m tutoring. Cooper?
Davis: The super cute blondie. Yeah, I think you mentioned him a few times.
Rylee: Or a million lol. I think it’s safe to say he’s not just ‘the guy you’re tutoring.’ He’s a friend. Or a best friend?
Me: Best friend for sure.
Davis: So, what's the issue? Did he do something to hurt you? I’ll kill him!
Me: No, no, nothing like that. If anything, it’s the exact opposite.
Rylee: We need more, babe.
Me: He’s perfect. Too perfect.
Davis: How so?
Me: He’s super sweet, always thinking about me first. My feelings, what I think, standing up for me, doing what he thinks I’d like, or I’d enjoy.
Rylee: Holy shit. Babe, I think you hit the best friend jackpot.
Me: That's the thing, I’ve never had a best friend. Never been close with someone like this. And I’m not sure if the things I’m feeling are friendly, or... something more.
Admitting that right now has me wanting to puke. It’s like I know what these feelings are, I know what this means. But at the same time, I can’t seem to put them into words.
Rylee: And how does he make you feel?
Me: When he smiles, I feel happy. When he laughs, I feel happy. Whenever I’m around him, I feel happy. When it’s just the two of us, I can’t stop looking at him. Wondering what he’s thinking about. Whenever we’re not together, he’s all I can think about. And I feel kind of jealous and lonely because I’d rather be with him than alone. And when he winks at me, or gives me these little smiles that are just for me, I feel lightheaded and my stomach does this little cramping thing.
