Page 82 of Okay, Cupid

“At first. But I got brave enough one day.”

“Is that what we’re watching today?”

Huy likes this question, I can tell. “If you want to.”

He reaches for the space between his bed and his nightstand, pulling a laptop free of its hiding place. Then he looks back at me. “What are you doing over there?”

He pats the space on the bed next to him, maneuvering so he sits against the wall.

Because of course we can’t just go downstairs and watch this movie. I do as I’m told, and crawl onto the bed with him. This feels weird, and not the good kind of weird either. Our shoulders nearly touch as he takes the laptop and shifts it so I can still get a good view.

He finds the movie and hits play. The screen turns black, and the narration begins.

“ ‘Another world, another time. In the age of wonder …’ ”

• • •

“Jude?” Huy’s voice is in my ear, distant but warm.

Then I feel a tapping.

“Hmm?”

“Jude.”

“What?” I mumble, keeping my eyes shut. Why is Huy in my bed with me? That’s weird, right? That’s a weird thing that’s happening. And I feel like I should be more concerned, but I’m comfortable. I open my eyes slowly, adjusting to the orange light that’s filling my room. I turn to see Huy there, looking right at me with his warm brown eyes. Then everything washes over me like a bucket of ice water.

“Oh my God!” I jump away from him, still on the bed as the adrenaline in my heart begins to pump irresponsibly fast. “Oh God.”

“You okay?” He puts a hand to my back.

I hate how nice it feels. “Yeah, yeah. Just surprised me is all.”

“Sorry.”

I cover my face with my hands to hide my embarrassment.

“I fell asleep?” I don’t know if I mean for it to be a question.

“Yeah, you did.”

During the movie he really wanted to show me.

On his shoulder. I feel asleep on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I didn’t mean to … you know.”

“It’s okay. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.” There’s something in his tone that I don’t like. Distant. Cold.

“You can start it again, if you want.” I dare to look at him, and my God, is that a spot of my drool on his shirt? Kill me now, please.

“I would, but my dad wants us downstairs for dinner.”

“What? How long was I sleeping?”

“The entire movie, plus I watched some YouTube videos, so about two hours.”

“I can’t believe that.”